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COMPLETE SPORTSMAN}
O R,
jman's RecreatlonJ
Whole Arts
Of KcAiift^W^^^^^i Colts. Of managi n^g- ^ace-Hot fes, HuU'
ten, Sec. ^
Of Horfe- Racing* Of Boivlirg. Of Hare-bunting, Of Fox-hunting. Of Buck-hunting, Of Otter'bunting.
Of Courjtng,
Of breeding and ordering Dogt
for the Gun, or Chafe, &c. Of Angling in all its various
Branches. Of breeding PigesHs, Rahheii,
Canary Bi>di, &c. Of finding the Haunts of Pcir'
triJi
'ges, Pheajantij and all
maBn:r of Game. Of Shooting, and of Flyings $cc.
Sbcit
>ng
Together, with feveral other equally curious Articles = too numerous to be mentioned in this Title Page,
By THOMAS FAIRFAX, Efq-,
A Sport/man^ s Skill, nvhsever means to claim, Muji read our Book, and then beUl knonjo his Game ; 'Tkvill BovjlerSf Cour/ers, Racers, Hu .ters, fuii* Or teach the Fotvlerjijitig Birds to /hoof.
LONDON:.
Printed for J. COOKE, at Shah/pear* s-Hec^i^ in Fat^'NoJler-RQw,
PREFACE.
THE Origin of innocent Diverfions, and manly Exercifes, is coeval with the firfl: Formation of Human Society. Indeed thefe Diverfions and Exercifes exifted in the World long before thofe States were formed, who af- terwards made fo great a Figure in Hiftory, al- though even under them, they were confidered as honourable and no way beneath the Cha- radbers of the greatefl: Heroes. The vital, the adive Principle, which leads us to the 'Practice of innocent Diverfions, is one of the* nobleft that can aftuate the Heart of Man, namely Emulation; or a Defire to cxcell others, while the Confequences refulting from them are more important than fome will believe, or others acknowledge j for while they furniih a Relaxation from the Toils of Bu- fmefs, and an Alleviation of the Cares of Life, they add Vigour to the Mind; Health to the Body, and, in conformity with the delightful "" A 2 Variations
iv PREFACE.
Variations of the Seafons, mix our Pains and Pieafures- together with a juft and equal Tem- perance.
In the infant Stale of Human Society, the Exercifes of Hunting, Fowling, and Filhing, were found necefTary to fupport Individuals and their Families-, but afterwards, when re- finement of Manners took place of favage Rufticity; when Men began to know the Va- lue of their own Importance, and confidered themfelves as diftinguifhed above others, in confequence of their Dexterity, or Ingenuity in manly Exercifesj the Public became in a Manner interefled, and it was found conducive both to the Security and' Honour of the State, to annex diftinguifhing Marks of Favour to thofe whofe Adions entitled them to it, in a more than ordinary Manned To this laudable Principle may be alcribed the Origin of the Olympic Games among the iGreeks, the pub- lic Shews arriohg the .'Romans, aad Knight^ errancryV as pradtifcd by ■ thele Northern Na- tions of whom we are the lineal Defccndants. The fame Spirit of Emuladon among Indivi- duals, and the fame Reafons of State operate lefs or more on. tKe, Human Mind, and rules ail the various Forms of Government.
What was pradtifed from Motives of Ne- cefiity in the early/ Ages of the AVorld, was encouraged in more enlightened States, that Youth might beliabituatcdin manly Exercifes,
in
PREFACE. -
in order to wean them from that Effeti
which in a State of Indolence would have ^ witched their Minds, and enervated their Bo- dies. But ftill there was fomething wiinting, all the Rules prefcribed for their Conduct were only inroads, that k was rcafonable to fuppofe that many of them would be forgotten as foon as told. The ufe of Letters was either then noc known, or but lictle underftood, fo that it was impoflible for any Man to retain in his Me- mory what was only verbally 'di(fl2ted, unlefs he was fomething of an extraordinary Charad- er, and far a^ove the common Ratik of his Fellow Creatures, a Favour not to be ex- pcded, and but feldom granted. 1 hofe who live in the prefent Age, have this peculiar Ad- vantage, that Arts and Sciences are noc only reduced to proper Syilems, but every thing is treated of in fo plain a Manner, that alniofl every Perfon may underftand them.
With refped to the prefent Work, it has many advantages above all that ha$ been al- ready publiflied. The Rules laid down by the bed Sportfmen have been carefully attended to, but they have been no farther countenanced or embraced, than was confident with the Au- thor's practical Knowledge of the different Sub- jeds. Many Superfluities have been lopped off, the praftical Knowledge of the different Subjedls have been inveftigated from adual Ex- perience, and thofe who are fond of indulging A3 themfelves
P RE F A C E.
IV
V riari '^^ ^" njanly^nd innocent Amufemcnts., p,^ ^iCre find an Inftrudtor, that will not de- ceive, but be of fervice to them in all their purfuits. The Author, though well acquainted with the Theory, has advanced nothing but what he knows to be confident with Pradice, and the Reader wilimeet with a more accurate Delineation of the Subjedl than can be found in one half of the Books extant, whilft his Pradice will give him daily Proofs of its Uti- lity. As fuch it is prefented to the Public, nor is there the leafl Doubt of ics tneeting with their candidand favourable Reception,
THE
THE ;
CoMPLEAT Sportsman 5
O R
Country Gentleman's
RECREATION,
Of Game-Cocks and Cock-Fighting. Of the choice of COCKS.
HE beft properties for the choice of fighting-cocks, is their fhape, colour, and courage, and (harp heels or fpurs. As to their fhape, the middle fized ones are efleemed the beft, as being fooneft and eafieft matched, as aifo' the nimblefl and generally of moft courage: the fmall fized ones are weak and tedious in battle, ?
The Shape. He fhould be of a proud and upright {hape, wi^b a fmall head, a quick large eye, with a ftrong back,, his fpurs long, rough,, and iharp, a little bending iipi- wards,
^4 *ife^
[8]
His Colour » The grey pile, yellow pile, or red, wiih the black J5r-eafl-, is efteemed the Leil; the pied hs not fo good, and the v/hite and dun worft of all. ''If he is red about the head, like fcarlet, it is a fign of ftrength, luft and courage \ but if pale, it is a fign cf faintnefs and ficknefs.
His Courage, . .
^ His courage is fhewed by his^ wallc, treading, and pride of his going, and in pen by his frequent crow- ing: for the iharpnefs of his heel, ox^ as the cock mafters call it, the narrow heel is only feen in his fighting, or the cock is faid to be fharp heeled, or narrow heeled, which every time he rifes, hits and draws blood of his adverfary, gilding (as they term jt)'his fpurs in blood, and every blow threatening the ether's death.
Of Breeding,
The f/rieeding cocks for battle, is much diiFerent /roir. thofe of the dunghill ; for they are like birds of 'pre)', in which the female is of better efteem than the male; and fo in the breeding be fure that the hens be right, that is, theymuft beof a right plume, as ,2rey, grizzle, fpeckled or yellowifli. :, Black or brown is not amifs, their bodies large, »nd well pouked behind for large eggs, and well iufted on the crown, which fhows good courage; ' ; . If they have weapons it is the better; alfo they muft be of a good courage, otherwife their chickens will not be good.
And it is obfervable, that the perfeft hen from a dunghill-cock, will bring a good chicken ; but the beft cock from a dunghill-hen, can never get a good one; and the beft feafon of the year to bieed in, is from the increafe of the moon in February^ to the
increafe
[9 3 . ,.,,,,.,
increafe of the moon in Marchy for a March bird fs of far greater efleem than thofe bred at other times.
Let the pen where fhe fits be placed warm, with, foft fwtet ftraw therein for her neft, they being much tenderer than the dunghill hens, and permit no other fowl to come where fhe fits, for that will difturb her.
' You (hould obferve, if fhe he bufy in turning her tg^ (herng a good fign) if not, do it at fuch times as fhe rifes from her ' nefl; and be fure that fhe has always meat and water by her, left when fhe rifes fhefhould ftay too long to feek food^ and fo her eggs fhould be chilled and fpoiled.
Likcwife in the place where fhe fits, let there be fand^, gravel, and fine fifted aQ;ie;s, to bath and trim herfelf at pleafure. ' ■ '
In about three weeks fhe tirilt hatch, and obferve,^ that if fhe do not cover and keep the firft warm till the refl: are hatchei, take thofe from her, and keep therr^ warm in wool by the ^re^ till all' are hatched, and then put them under her, keeping both the hen and chickens very warm, not fufFering them to go abroad for three weeks or a month in the cold ; for they are fo tender, that cold will kill them. .
Let them have plenty of food,, as oatmeal, cheefe- parings, fine frtiall wheats and the like, and a large room tav/alk in, with a boarded floor j for that oi earth or brick, is too cold or moii^.
After three or four weeks, let them walk in your court-yard, or garden, to pick worms, provided there is no finks or puddles of ftinking water, v/hicli is as bad as poifon for them to drink, engendering ' corrupt difeafes.
After this manner, keep them till you can know .
the cock chickens from the hens; and when yoa
perceive their ccrabs or wattles to appear, cut them^
^^i anoint the fore with fweet butter, till w^W-^ and
A 5 tli'>
C 10]
thi5 will make them have fine fmall, fTender,. aftd fmooth heads ; whereas if you let the combs grow to their bignefs, and then cut them off, it will caufe them to have gouty thick heads, with great lumps 'y^ neither is the Bux of blood good, for the leaft lofs of blood inafeathered fowl, is very dangerous.
Let the cock chickens go with their hens, till they, begin to fight one with another ; but then feparate them in feveral walks, and that walk is the beft,. that is freeft from the refort of others,.
Let the feeding places be upon foft dry ground^ or upon boards^ for to breed them upon pavements^. or on plaifter floors, vv'iJl make their beaks blunt and weak, fo that it will binder their holding fafl-.
Any white corn, as oats^ barley, or wheat, is- good food for a cock in his walk; fo are toaft, or crufts of bread fteeped in beer or winej for it will both fcour and cool them inwa-^dly.
If your chickens begin to crow, at about fix months- clear and loud, ©r at unfeafonable times, it is afign^ of cowardice and fal^ood, fo that they are not worth the rearing;, for the true cock is very long before he can get his vqice, and then he ohferves his- hours.
To one cock four or five hens are fufiicient ; f^r they are of fo hot a nature, and will tread fo much>, that they foon confume their natural ftrength,
At two years old you may put a. cock to the bat- . tie, as not being before perfe6l and compleat in eve- ry member ;^ for by fuffering him to fight when his rpurs are but warts, you may know his courage,, butnothisgopdnefs. ,
You muft alfo be elrcumfpedl about the perch whereon he roofteth; for if it be too fmall in the gripe, or crooked, or fo ill placed, that he cannot fiC; without llradling,'it will make him uneven heeled^ and by confequence no go©d flriker,
T£€
The beft way is to make a row of little percheri, not above kvcn or eight inches long, and about a^ foot from the ground, fo that with eafe they may go up to them; and being fet, muft have their legs clofe, the (hortnefs of the perch not admitting o* therwife; and it is a maxim, He^ that is a clofe fitter is always a narrow Jiriker.
You mufb always be careful, that when your cock doth leap from the perch, the ground befoft where- upon he iighteth.3 for hard ground- caufeth- gouti*^ nefs*
Of dieting and^ ordering Co C K s, .
. For dieting and ordering a cock for the battle^, which is the principal thingj obferve thefe direc- tions.
The beft time to take up your cocks,, is the latter end of ^«^a/?, and having viewed them well, and- they are found,, hard feathered, and full fummed, put. them in feveral pens.
Their pens (hould be made of clofe boards, well- jbined together all but the forepart, which muft be made open like a grate, the bars about two inches apart, and before the grate, tv/o large troughs of^ fbft wood, the one for water, and the other for meat;, the door of the grate to be made to lift up and down,, and of fuch largenefs, as with eafe to put the cock in, and take him out, and to clean. the pen daily to* keep it fweet.
The pen fhould be at leaft three feet high, and^ two feet fquare, and of thefe many may be joined in one front, according to the ufe you have for them.
For the lirft three or four days they are put ill! their pens, feed them only with old wheat bread,, the crufl pared away, and cut into little bits, with which feed them ^x fun-rifmg, and fun-fet, giving-
themi
c "^3
them about a handful at a tinner and be furelet him not be without good frefii water.
After they have been thus fed four days, andthefr crops cleared of the corn, worms, and other coarfe feeding, in the morning take them out of iheir pens> putting a pair of hots upon each of their heels, which- hots are foft bombafted rolls of leather, covering their fpurs, that they cannot hurt or bruife one another, ib fetting them down upon the grafs, (that is tv/o at a time) let them fight and bu£He one another for a good while, provided they do not wound or draw blood of each other, and this is called fparring of cocks.
The reafon of thus exercifing them, is to chafe and heat their bodies,, to break the fat and glut wLthia them, and to caufe it to come away.
Your cocks being fparred fufficiently, and that you fee them pant and grow weary, take them up and untie their hots j then being provided with deep flraw bafkets made for that purpcfe, with iweet foft jftraw to the middle, put into each bafket a cock,, covering him over with the like flraw to the top ; then put on the lid clofe, fo let him fweat and ftovc: till the evening i but before you put him into the bafket, give him a pretty big lump of fv/eet butter, with white fue:ar candy, and rofemary finely chop- ped,^ and this fcouring will bring away his greafe^ and breed breath and ilrength.
In the evening, about four or five of the clocks take them out of the ftoving bafket, and licking their heads and eyes all over, put them into the pens,, then cake a good handful! of bread cut fmall,. put it to each in their troughs,, and pifs therein, fo that the cock may take the bread out of the warm urine, and this will fcour and cleanfe both the head and the body extremely,
'i he biead that you muft now and afterwaids give
them*
E «3 1 tliem, muft not be fine white bread, but a fort made for that purpo'e, after this manner:
Take halt a peck of wheat meal, and the like quantity of fine oatmeal; mix thefe together, and knead them in a ftiff*pafte, with ale, the whites of twelve eggs, and half a pound of buiter.
This palte being well wrought, irake it into broad thin cakes, and being three or four days old, and the blifter rings cut away, cut it into little fquare bits^ and give it to the cocks.
Having fed your cocks thus, after their fparring,. the next day let them reft, only give them their or- dinary feeding of bread and water ; then the next day (which is the fparring) take them into a fair, even,, green clofe, there fet down one of them,, and having a dunghill cock in your arm?, fhow it ham, runn no- from him, enticing him to follow you; and fo chafe him up and down for half an hour, iufiering him now and then to have aftrokc at him; and when youfee him well beared and panteth, take him up, and carry him to his pen, and there give hun his fcouring. Take frefh butter, ha'f a pound; beat it in amar.- tar, with the herb of grace, hyfop, and rofemarv, until the herbs are incorporated therein, and that tne butter is brought to a green falve ; and of this give the cock a roll or two, as big as he can wcil fwallow ^ then ftcve him in the bafket, as aforefaid, until the evenings then take him out, put him in his peri,. and feed him as before di reded.
The next day let him reft and feed, and the day following again fpar him^ and this method obferve every other day for the firft fortnight, to fpar or chaf^ him, as beiug the moft natural and kindJieft heats;. hut forget not to give him a fcouring after every heat„ a^s aforefaid, for the breaking and cleaning him froni. ^reafe, glut, aad filth,, which lying in his body eaufetb
purfiiid^jfe-
[ H j'
gur^nefs and faintnefs, fo that he cannot ftand" out the latter end of a hattle..
Thus having fed your cock the firft fortnight, ob- ferve the fame rules the next fortnight; but, for a week do not fpar him,. or give him heats above twice a week, fo that three or four times in a fortnight will ht fufHcient ; and each time flove and fcour him ac- cording to his hea's, long heats requiring longer fto- ving:, as alfo greater fcouring.
But if you hnd him in good breath* and that he re- quires but flight heats,, then ftove him the lefs, and. give him the lefs fcouring.
For the third fortnight, which compleats the fix- weeks, feed him as aforefaid,but fpar him not at all,, for fear of making his head tender and fore, neither give him any violent exercife, but only two or three times in the fortnight, let him moderately be chafed- up and down, to maintain his wind; and now and then cuff a cock; w^hich you muft hold in your- hands; which done, give him his fcouring, w^ll rol- led up in povrder of brown fugar candy, for the cock being now come to his perfe6l health, and clear from filth in his body, the fugar prevents that ficknefs- which the fcouring would then caufe, and alfo- ilrengthens nature againft the medicine.
.Alatching of fighting CoCKs.
Your fix weeks feeding being finifhed, and findings yx3ur cock in luft and breath, he is fitto fight, always ebferving, that he hath at lead three days refl before fighting, and be well emptied of meat before you bring him into the pit.
Being brought into the pit, your chief care mufl be in the matching him, in which confifls the greateft" glory of a cock-mafler, therefore in your matching: there are but two things to be confidered, viz. the: ^eng»h-of.cockSa, and the length of cocks.
[ H ]
Now for the knowledge of thefe, there are two> fules: as for his ftrength, it is known by the thick- nefs of his body, that cock being held ftrongeft whichi is largeft in the girth, which may be eafily known by^ the meafuring him with your fingers : as for his- Ifength, it is eafily known, by griping him about the middle, caufing him to ft reich forth his legs; but if- you are doubtful of lofing in one, yet are lure to gaim- in the other, you may venture to match..
Yourcockbeingmatched thus,.prep3rehim to the. bifttle: firft, with a fine pair of cock-fhears, cut olf his mane clofe to the neck, from his head to the fet- tingon of his (houlders; then clip ofF all the feathers. from his tail clofe to his rump, which the more fcar- fct it appears, the better ftate of body he is in : then; take his wings^ ex-tending them forth by the firfb feather, clip the reft ftopevTife, with fharp points^ thatr in his rifing he may endanger the eyes of his adver- fary; then, with a fharp knife, icrape fmooth. and' fliarpen his beak, and alfo fmooth and fharpen his fpurs j and laftly, fee that there be no feathers abont^ the crown of his head for his adverfary to take hold'. of; then, with yourfpittle,.moiften his head all over, and fo turn him into the pit to try his fortune.
1 he battle being ended,.your firft bufinefs muft be to fearch his wounds,, and fuch as.y£>.ii£ndi fuck out» the blood with your mouth; then walli them with warm urine tokeep them from rankling, and prefent- ly give him a bit ortwoof your beft fcouring, and; fo ftove him up as hot as you can for that night; and = in the morning take him forth, and if you fee his head much fwelled, fuck it with your mouth, as: aforefaid, and bath it with warm urine.
Then having the powder of the herb ^^^^rr,. weir dried, and finely fifted, pounce all the fore places- therewitb, and give him a good handful of bread to- eatj. out. of warm wine^ and then- put him into the-
[ i6]
ftove again, as before diredled, being very careful that no air cmue to him till the fwelling is gone j but twice a day fuck and drefs bim, feed hiai.as aforefaid.
But if your cock has received any hurt in his eye, then take a leaf or two of right ground-ivy, that is,. fuch as grows in little tufts in the bottom of hedges;, chew it in your mouth very well, fucking out the juice, which fquirting into his eye two or three times, will foon cure it, provided the fight is not pierced; and itwill alfoprefcrve the eye fiom films, flaws, warts, i^c,
l( your cock hath veined himfelf, either by narrow Itriking, or other crofs blow, find out the wound, and prefently bind into it the foft down of a hare, and it will both ftaunch ir, and cure it. ; After your wounded coeks are put forth to their* walks, as being fit to go abroad, and when you come to vilitthcm in about a month or tv/o after;, if you fi.nd any had fwelled bunches about their heads, bJackifh at one end,^ it is a fign of unfound cores ; and then with a (harp pen-knife open them, and crufn out the faid cares; then fuck out all the cor- rupLion, and fill the hole with frefh butter, which will peife£t the cure.
0/ Colts.
COLT, a word in general, fign ifying the male and female of the horfe kind ; the firft likewise fox diftin£tion fake, being called a horfe colt, and the other a filly.
After the colts have been foaled, you may fuffer them to run with the mare till about Michaelmas^ fooner or later, according as the cold weather comes in;, then they muft be veined, after which let them bskeptiaacoiivenient houfc, with a low rack, and
[ 17 ]
manger for their hay and oats, which muft be fweet and good j with a little wheaten bran inixed with the oats, to caufe them to drink and to keep their bodies open. , '
Further, that <iolts thus fed with grain, do not grow thickifh upon their legs, but grow broader, and better knit than if they had eaten nothing but hay and bran, and will endure fatigue the better.
But above all, they muft be kept from wet and cold, which are the hurtfuleft things imaginable to them, nothing being more tender than they are.
For proof of this, take a Spanifh flallion, and let him cover two mares, which for age, beauty, and comlinefs, may admit of no difFtrence between them ; and if they be both horfe colts, or both fillies, which is one and the fame thing, let one run abroad, and the other be houfed, every winter, kept warm, and ordinarily attended, as aforefaid ; and that colt that has been kept abroad fhall have large fleihy fhoul- ders, flabby and gouty legs, weak pafterns and ill hoofs; and (hall be a dull, heavy jade, in compa- rifon to the other which is houfed, and orderly kept as before; and which will have a fine fore- head, be well (haped, have good legs and hoofs, and be of a good ftrength and fpirit : by which you may know, that to have the fineft ftalllon, and the beautifulleft mare, is nothing, if they are fpoiled \w breeding up.
It is worth obfervation, that fome foals, under fix months old, though their dams yeild abundance of milk, yet decay daily, and have a cough, proceeding from ceiiain pellicles, or fkins that breed in their vftomachs, which obftrud their breathing, and at laft deftroy them entirely.
To remedy this malady, take the bag wherein the colt was foaled, dry it, and give them as much of it in milk as you can take up with three fingers :
but
f in
but ifyouhave not preferved the bag, procure the lungs of a young fox, and ufe it inftead of the afore- faid powder.
It will be proper to let the colts play an hour or two, in fome court-yard or the like place, when it is fair weather, provided you put them up again carefulJy, and fee that they take no harm.
When the winter is fpent, turn them into fome dry ground, where the grafs is (hort and fweet, and wheie there is good water that they may drink at pleafure; for it is not neceflary that a colt fliould fill his belly immediately, like a horfe that labours hard.
The next winter you may take them into the houfe, and ufe them juft as your other horfes; but let not your horfe colts and fillies be kept together^ after the firft year.
This method may be obferved every fummer and winter, till you break them, which you may da after they are three years old; and it will be a very eafy thing, if you obferve the aforefaid method of houiing them, for ordering them the fecond year as you do other horfes, that they will be fo tame and gentle, that you need not fear their plunging^ leaping, kicking, or the like coltifh tricks j for they will take the faddle quietly.
Take notice, that as yearlings muft be kept abroad together, fo thofe of two years old together ; the like for thofe of three yearlings, which ordered is moft agreeable to them.
In order to make him endure the faddle the better,, the way to make it familiar to hiin will be, by clap- ping the faddle with your hand as it ftands upon his. back, by ftriking it, and fwaying upon it, dangling the ftirrups by his fides, rubbing them againft his^ fides, and making much of him, and bring him to be familiac with, all things about him 3 as flraining
the.
L 19 i
the crupper, faftening and loofening the girths, and taking up and letting out the ftirrups.
Then as to the mouthing of him, when he will trot with the faddle obediently, wafh a trench of a full mouth, and put the fame into his mouth, throw- ing the reins over the fore part of (he faddle, fo that he may have a full feeling of it; then put on a mar- tingal, buckled at fuch a length, that he may but juft feel it when he jirks up his head ; then take a broad piece of leather and put it about his neck, and make the ends of it faft by platting of it, or fome other way, at the withers, and the middle part before his weafand, about two handfuls below the throp- ple, betwixt the leather and his neck: let the mar- tingal pafs fo, that when at any time he offers to duck, or throw down his head, the caveiTon being placed upon the tender griftle of his nofe, may cor- real and punifli him ; which will make him bring his head to, and form him to anabfolute rein : then trot him abroad, and if you find the reins or martingal grow flack, ftraiten them, for when there is no feelrng, there is no virtue.
Cy Backing Colts.
BACK IN G a colt, after he has been exercifed feme time morning and evening, and you find him obedient, as dired^ed under the head of colt ; then take him to fome ploughed grounds, the lighter the better, and wheii you have made him trot a good pace about it in your hand^ and thereby taking hint from all his wantonnefs j fee whether your tackling be firm and good, and every thing in it's true and proper place; when having one flay to his head>. and governing the chafing rein, you may take hij back, yet not fuddenly but by degrees, with divers
hearings^.
[ 20 ]
heavings, and half rifings, which if he endure pa-- tiently, then fettle yourfelf; but if he flirlnk and diflike, then forbear to mount, and chafe him about again, and then ofFer to mount, and do this till he, be willing to receive you.
After you are fettled, receive your ftirrups, and cherlfh him, put your toes forward, let him that ftays his head lead him forward half a dozen paces, then cherifli him again, fhake and move yourfelf on the faddle, then let the flayer of his head, remove his hand a little from the cavefTcn; as you thruft your toes forward, let him move him forward with his rein, till you have made him apprehend your own motion of the body, and foot, which muft go equally together, and with fpirit alio that he will go forward without the other's afiiftance, and {^Jiy. upon the re-, ftrain of your ow.n hands; then cherifn him, and give him grafs, and bread to eat, alight from his back, mount and unmount twice or thrice together, ever mixing them with cherifhings ; thus exercife him^ till he be made perfect in gomg forward and fland >. ing flili at pleafure: this being done, the long , reini may be laid afide, and the band about the neck, and only ufe the trenches and cavefTon with the martin- gal, and let the groom lead the way before, on ano- ther horfe going only ftrait forwards, and rriak^ him fland ftill when you pleafe, which will foon he ef- fected by trotting after another horfe, fometimes e- qually with him, fometimes before, fo that he fix upon no certainty but your own pleafure, and be fure to have regard to the well carriage of his neck, and head, and as the martingal flackens, fo ftraighten it from time to time.
0/
'['21]
' Cy Horses.
THE horfe (hould have a broad forehead, la great eye, a lean head; thin, flender, lean, wide jaw5; a long, high, rearing neck; rearing withers; a broad deep cheft and body, upright pal- terns and narrow hco's.
There are very many things relating to a horfe, and very neceffary to be known, v/hich will be found under their proper articles; only there are a few which are not fo conveniently reducible under fuch heads, which mufthave room here.
To begin with turning a horfe to o;rafs: you ought eight or nine days before you do iF, to take bJoodpfhim; next day after, give him the drink called, diapentey and in a day or two after his drink, abate of his cloaths by degrees, before you turn him out, left by doing them on a fudden he fhould take cold; and curry him not at all after his cloaths are taken off, but let him ftand in his duft, for that will keep him warm ; neither is it proper to put him out till the middle of May^ at fooneft, for till that time grafs will not have bite enough; and let the day be warm, fun-lhine, and about ten o'clock, for horfes pampered in flables and kept clofe, will be very fubfect to take cold.
To take him up from grafs, he mufl be very dry, elfe he will b.-^ fubjedl to be fcabby ; and that not later thzn Bartholomew -tide, when the feafon begins to let cold dey^^s fall, that caufes much harm to your horfe ; and then alfo the heart of the grafs begins to fail -infomuch, that the grafs which he then feeds upon breeds no good nouriftiment, but grofs, phlegmatic, and cold humours, which putrify and corrupt the blood ; and take him up very quickly, for fear ot melting his greafe, his fat gotten at grafs beino- very tender: then a day or two after he is in the Sable
lei
[ " ]
let him be (hod, let blood, and drenched, which will prevent the daggers, yellows, and the like dif- tempers, occafioned by the gall and fpleen, which the heart and ftrength of the grafs through the rank- nefs of the blood, engenders in the body.
But the curious, after they have taken the horfe into rhe ftable, before they either bleed or drench him, in ahot, fun-fhining daytake him out into a convenient place, and there trim him ; and then .taking ordinary wafliingfoap, anoint his head and every part of him with it all over, having care that none gets into bis eyes and ears, then they wafh him very well all over with warm water, and wipe him with a warm linen cloth, and afterwards rub him dry with woolen cloths j then foap him all over again, efpecially his main and tail, and wafh him very clean with back lee, with a wifp of wool- len cloth, and when they have fuiEciently cleanfed him, dry him as before, and lead him into the ftable, let him be cleanfed with a clean,r thin, foft cloth.
There are two or three things more to be added, that are of feme fignificancy in reference to this noble creature, and the iirft is, to make a horfe follow his mafter, and to find him out and challenge him amongil everfo many people.
Take a pound of oatmeal, to which put a quar- ter of a pound of honey, and half a pound of li- quorice, make a little cake thereof, and put it into your bofom next to your naked fkin, th^n run and labour yourfelf till you fweat, and fo rub all your fweat upop your cake; then keep the horfe fafting a day and a night and give it him to eat, which done, turn him loofe, and he fhall not only follow you, but alfo hunt and feek you out when he has ioityou, and when he comes to you, fpit in his
moutli
[ 23 ]
mouth, anoint his tongue wirh your fpittle, and thus doing, lie will never forfakeyou.
Another thing, is to fliew how to make a horfe look young: take a crooked iron, no bigger than a wheat corn, and having made it red hot, burn a little black hole in the tops of the two outermoft teeth of each fide the nether chap before next to the tufties where the mark is worn out, then pick it with an awl blade, and make the {hell fine and thin; then with a ftiarp fcraping-iron make all his teeth white and clean ; this done, take a fine lancet, and about the- hollows of the horfe's eyes which are fhrunk down, make a Jittle hole only through the fkin, and put in the quill of a raven or crow, and blow the fkin full of wind; then take the quill out, lay your finger on the hole a little while, and the wind willftayin, and he will look as youthful as if he were but five years old.
Of Horse-Feeders, or Grooms.
rx^ HERE are many obfervations to be made by Jl one engaged in this office, in order to per- form it well, efpecially when he hath the care of run- ning-horfes, but we (hall only mention a few.
I. As to meat or drink, if there be any fuch, or other nourifhment that he knows good for a horfe, which yet the beft refufes, you muft not thruft it violently upon him, but by gentle entice- ments win him thereto, tempting him when he is moft hungry or moft dry; if he get but a bit at a time, he will foon increafe to a greater quantity.
Ever let him havelefs than he defires; and that he may be brought the fooner to it, mix the meat he loves bell v/ith that he loves worft, till both be alike
familiar
r H ]
familiar, (o {hall he be a ftranger to nothing that is good and wholefome.
2. If he finds his horfe fubje£t to ftifFnefs and lamenefs, to the furbate, or to tendernefs of /eet, then he (hould give him his heat upon fmooth carpet earth, or forbear ftrong grounds, hard highways, crofs ruts and furrows, till extremity compel him.
3 For the condition of a horfe's body, he muft account that the ftrongeft ftate which is the highert and leaft of flefh, fo it be good, hard, without inward foul-fulnefs, to be the belt and moft proper for the performing of matches: and herein you mull con- fider, firft, the ihape of a horfe's body, there being fome that are round, plump and clofe knit together, which will appear fat and well fhaped, when they are lean and in poverty; while others that are raw- boned, flender, and loofe knit, will appear lean and deformed, when they are fat, foul, and full of grofs humours.
So likewife for their inclinations; for fome horfes at the firft, feed outwardly, and carry a thick rib, when they are inwardly as thin as may be ; whereas others appear lean to the eye, when they are only greafe.
In which cafe the feeder has two helps to advan- tage his knowledge, the outward and the inward one.
4. The firft is, the outward handling and feeling the horfe's body all over his ribs, but particularly upon his (hort and hindermoft ribs, and if his flelh generally handle foft and loofe, and the fingers fink therein as in down, he is foul without all queftion 5 but if it be hard and firm, and only foft upon the hindermoft rib, he has greafe and foul matter within liim, which muft be voided whatever comes of it. And for ihe inward help, that is only fliarp exercife,
and
[25]
and ilrong fcouring, the firfl: to diflblve, and the latter to bring it away.
5. It is the feeder's bufinfefs to obferve the horfe's ftones, for if they hang downwards, or low from bis body he is out of lufl and heat, and is either fick of greafe or other foul humours; but in cafe they lie clofe trufled up, and hid in a fmall room^ thea he is healthful, and in good plight.
6. As to tli€ limbs, the feeder or groom muft always before he runs any match or fore heat, bathe his legs, from the knees and gambrels downwards, either with clarified dogs greafe, (which is the beft) or trotter oil, that is next to it, or gKq the beft hog's greafe, which is fufficient, arid work it in well with his hands, not with fire, for what he gets not in the firft night, will be got in the next morning, and what is not got in then, will be got in when he comes to uncioath at the end of the courfe ; fo that the omtment need be ufed but once, but the rubbing as often as there is opportunity.
7. The feeder may in any of the latter fortnights of a running horfe's feeding, if he finds him clear, and his greafe confumsd, about fix in the evenining, ^ive him water in a reafonable quantity made luke- warm, keeping him faftingfor an hour after: alfo, if through the unfeafonabienefs of the weather you canlnot water him abroad, then ac your own wa- tering hours you are to do it in the houfe, with warm
'wa.er, and an handful of wheat-meal, bran, or oat- meal, finely powdered, (which laft is the beft) put • into the water ; which is very wholefome.
8. The rider is farther to note, that if the ground whereon the horfe is- to run his-match, be dangerous, and apt for bad accidents, as ftrains, .over reaches, finew-bruifes, and the like, that then he is not bound to give him his heats thereon, but havinq; made him ac<iuain ted v^^ith.the nature -thereof, Ut
B him
I 26 ]
Ihitn to take part of the courfe, as a mile, two, or three, according to the goodnefs of the ground, and fo run him forth again, which are called turning- iieats) provided always he ends his heat at the weighing-poft, and make not his courfe lefs, but more in quantity than that he muft run.
If for fo me fpecial caufes he likes no part of the courfe, he may often but not ever, give his heat up- on any other ground about any. fpacicus and large ^eld, whefe the horfe may lay down his body and Jun atpleafur«.'
9. He muft have fpecial regard to all his airings, breathings, and 'other exerciies whatever 5 to the fweating of the horfe, and the cccafion, as if he iweat on little or no occafion, as walking a foot-
,£^^ pace, {landing ftill in the ftable, and the like ; this
^* ihews that the horfe is faint, foul fedy and wants
''^ cxercife : but if upon good occafions, as ftron^
,^ 'heats, great labours, and the like, he fweat, and it
f7\h a white froth like foap-fuds, he is inwardly foul,
/^•^and alfo wants exercife : again, if the fweat be
black, and as it were only water thrown upon him,
without any frothinefs, then he is cleanfed, and in
;good luft, and good cafe, and may be rid without
any danger.
10, And laftly, he (hould obferve his hair in ge- neral, but efpecially on his neck, and thofc parts that are uncovered, for if they lie ileek ,and fmooth, and clofe, holding the beauty of their natural colour, the horfe is in good cafe, but if rough and ftaring, or difcoloured, he muft be inwardly cold at heart, and wants both deaths and warm keeping.
Of Horse Shoes. iF tbefe there are feveral forts : i. That called the planch-fhoe, or pancelet, which makes a good foot, and a bad leg, by reafon it caufes the foot
to
O
[27]
to grow beyond the meafure of the leg ; though for a weak heel it is exceeding good, and will laft longer than any flioe, being borrowed from the moil, that has week heels and frufhes, to keep the feet from ftones and gravel.
2. Shoes with calkins, which though they be in- tended tofecure the horfefrom Aiding, yet they do him more harm than good whereby many times he wrenches his foot, or ftrains fome finews, more efpecially upon ftony ways, where the ftones will not fufFer his calkins to enter, the foot flips with more violence ; though fome do not think a horfe well ihod unlefs all his (hoes be made with calkins, either fingle or double ; however, the double ones are left hurtful, for he will tread evener with them than with fingle calkins, but they muft not be over k)ng, or (harp pointed, but rather fhort and flat.
3 There are Ihoes for lings, which were firft in- vented to make a horfe lift his feet high, though an unhandfome fight : this de(e^ is incident to moll horfes that have not found hoofs, for tender feet fear to touch the ground that is hard: but what IS intended for a remedy, prov-es a prejudice to the horfe, by adding high calkins, or elfe thefe rings to his fhoes, for by that means he is made to have weaker heels than before.
4. Shoes with fwelling welts or borders round about them, are ufed in Germany^ &c. which being higher than the heads of the nails, fayethem from wearing.; and thefe are the beft lafting ihoes, if made of well-tempered fluff, far they wear equally in all parts, and the horfe treads equally upon them
5. Others that ufe totravel mountains where fmiths are not fo eafily to be met with, carry ilioes about them with vices, whereby they faflea thein to the
B 2 hoik^s
[ 28 ] fjorfe's hoof without the help of the hammer or nail, notwithftanding it is more for fhew than any good fervice ; for though this fort of (hoe may fave his feet from ftpnes, yet it fo pinches his hoof, that he goes with pain, and perhaps injures it more than the ilones do : therefore upon fuch en ergent occa- fions, it is better to make ufe of a joint-{hoe, which IS made of two pieces, with a flat rivet- nail joining them together in the toe, fo that you may make it both wide and narrow to ferve any foot.
6. Th€ patt€rn-{hoe, is neceflary for a horfe that is burnt in the hip, ftifle, or fhoulder, which will caufe him to bear upon that leg the grfef is on, and confequent]y ufe it the better,
-7. A ihoe proper ior flat feet.
B. The panton, or pantacle-fhoe, which opens the heels, and helps hoof binding.
Thefe are of admirable ufe, in regard that they never fhift upon the (zez^ and continue firm in one place.
9. And laftly, the half panton fhoe.
0/ Horse Racing.
As to the method of ordcrmg running- h^fes, or what is called keepings it will be found under the article running-horjes, and therefore we will only here fuppofe a horfe fet to run for a p/ate, and that the hour of ftarting is at hand, uhen the drum beats or the trumpets found, according to the cuftom of the place where you run, to give notice for ftrip- ping and weighing j be fure in the firfl: place, to keep out the wind, and to firengthen you : if you are light, that you muft carry weight, let it be equally quilted in your waiflcoat ; but it is better if you are juft weight, for then you have no more to do thanjuft to drefsyou, according to your own fancy;
your
C 29 J ysur deaths fliould be of coloured filk, or of whiter hoi land, as being very advantageous to the fpeda- tors ; your waiftcoat and drawers muft be made clofe to your body, and on your head a little caj> tied on ; let your boots be gartered up faft, and your fpurs muft be of good metal ; then mount and come to the ftarting place, where going ofF brifkly or gently, as occafion requires, make your horfe per- form the courfe or heat, according to your intended defign ; particularly, if you would win the fame, and that your horfe excels in goodnefs more than fpeed, ftart him roundly, and run hi^m to- the very top of what he can do, during the whole courfe or heat; and by that means, if the horfe you run againft be not fo good at the bottom, though he has more fpeed, you will beat him, becaufe he will run off it a great way before he comes to the end. Bu(^ on the contrary, if yourhorfe's talent be fpeed, all that you can do is to wait upon the other horfe, and keep behind till you come almoft to the fland, and then endeavour to give a loofe by him. Sometimes when you are to rua more heats than one, it will be your policy to loofe a heat ; and in that cafe you muft, for the eafing and fafeguard of your horfe, lie behind as much as you can, provided you bring hii» in within diftance.
The pofture to be obferved is, that you place yourfelf upon your twift, with your knees firm,, and your ftirrups juft at fuch a length, that yt)ur feet, when they are thruft home in them, you can raife yourfelf a little in the faddle, for your legs,, without that allowance, will not be firm when you come to run ; the counter-poife of your body muft be forward, to facilitate your horfe's running, and your elbows muft be cloie to your body; be fure, above all things, that you do not incommode your horfe by fwaggering this or that wav, as feme do, B 2 ' for
[30 1
hr fines weight fs a great matter in running, and that a troublefome rider is as bad as (o much more weight, there is no need to fay how necelTary it is to take great care of your feat and hand; you muft therefore beware of holding yourfelf by the bridle, or of jobbing your horfe's mouth upon any oGcalion ; yt)u muft take your right rein in the fame hand, iiolding up horfe, &c. as you iind it necelTary, and every now and then remave the bridle in his mouth. But thefe things are beft karned by experience an(f pradice.
A plate being run for by heats, every man that rides muftbejuft weight at ftarti ng, in great fcales for that purpofe, and at the end of the lame heat, for if you want of your weight at coming in, you Hiall lofe your heat, though you are the firft horfe: you have half an hour between the firft and fecond, to rub your horfes, and at the warning of the drum aTid trumpet again, you mount, i5fc, as before, and 'io till ail is done, which is three, and fometimts three heats and a courfe.
it" you do not breed racers yourfelF, be fure you buy no horfe that has not extraordinary good blood in his veins, for the charge of keeping is great, and a good one eats no more than a bad, and requires no more attendance ; fome to fave twenty or thirty guineas in the price of a young hsrje^ have loft hundreds by him afterwards.
A horfe that you have tried once or twice at a twelve ftone plate, you may be fare will make an extraordinary good hunter: and you are to obferve, that the pofture, manner of riding, i^c. is the fame in a match as in a plate race, only that there being but a fmgle courfe to be run, you muft pu(h for all at that one time; whereas when there arefeveral heats, there is more faving, and variety of play.
[ 31 ]
Of Hunting Horses^
A Horse defigned for this manly exercife,, fiii {hape fliould be generally ftrong and well kn it to- gether, making equal proportions ; for you are to obferve, that which has an unequal {hape mews weak- nefs, fo equal ones fhews ftrength and durance ; and what we call unequal, are a great head and a little* neck ; a big body and a thick buttock ; a large limb to a little foot, ^c, A hunting horfe^ while he is at reft, let him have all the quietnefs that may be s let him have much meat, much litter, much dreffing,. and water even by him j let him fleep as long as he pleafes ; keep him to dung rather foft than hard, and look that it be well coloured, and bright, for dark* nefs (hews greafe, rednefs^ and inward heat: and- after his ufual fcourings, let him have exercifes, and ma0ies of fweet malt, or let bread, or clean beans,, or beans and wheat mixed together, be his b.eftfood,, and beans and oats the moft extraordinary.
You may furnilh yourfelf with a horfe for hunting, at fome of our fairs, which fhould have, as near as can be, the following (hapesi
A head lean, large, and long; 2i chaul thin and open ears, fmall, and picked, or, if they be fome- what long, provided they ftand upright, like thofif- of a fox, it is ufually a fign of mettle and tough- nefs.
His /^?r^^W long and broad, not flat, and as it is ufually termed hare-faceH, rifmg in the midfl lik« that of a hare, the feather being placed above the top of his eye j the contrary being thought by fom#' to be a token of bJindnefs. '
His eyes full, large, and bright ; his noftrils wide and red within, for an open nofirll is a fign of a^ good wind..
B 4, Hi*
His tnouthhrge^ deep in the wlkes and hairy; his ihropp/e, weajand ov win d- pipe h\g^ loofe and ftrait, when he is reined in with the bridle ; for if when he bridles, it bends like a bow, (which is called iock-ihroppkd) it very much hinders the free pafiage ©f his wind.
His head muft befeton to his neck, that a fpace may be felt between his neck and his chaul ; for to be bull-necked is uncomely to (ight^ and alfo pre- judicial to the horfe's wind.
His crelt ftiouldbe firm, thin, and well-rifen, his neck long and flrait, yet not ioofe and pliant, which the northern-men term withy-cragged,
Plis breafl ftrong and broad, his cheft deep, hi* chine (hort, his body large and cJofe Ihut up to the huckle-bone.
His ribs round like a barrel, his belly being hid ■within them.
Kis fillets large, his buttocks rather oval than broad, being well let down to the gafcoins, hiscam^ brejs upiight, and not bending, which feme call JiickU-hoghed\ though fome look upon this to be a llgn of toughnefs and fpeed.
His legs clean, flat, and flrait i his joints fhort, "well knit, and upright, efpecially betwixt the pafterns and "the hoofs, having but little hair on his fetlocks ; his hoofs black, flropg, and hollow, and rather long and narrow, than big and fiat.
Laftly^ his mane and tail {heuld be long and thin, rather than thick, which is counted by fome a mark ofdullnefs.
As to marks or colours, though they do not abfo- lutely give teftimony unto us of a ^^r//r goodnefs, yet they, as well as his fhape, [do intimate to us, in fome part, his difpofition and qualities : the hair it- felf does oftentimes receive the variation oi its co-
lour>.
I 33 }
lour, from the different te. 11 perature of the fubjei^ out of which it is produced.
And fome do not fcruple to affirm, thajt where- ever you meet with a horl'e that has no white about him, efpecial'y in his forehead, though he be other- wife of the beft reputed colours, as bay, black, for-- rel, he is of a dogged and fullen difpofition, efpe-*- cially if he have a fmall pink eye, and a narrow face, with a nofe bendinglike a hawk's bill.
The Jgey &c. of a Hunter.^
Having procured a horfe fuitable to the former de- fcriptions, or your own rati$fa<aion at leaft, arKl' which is fuppofed to bealready grx^unded in the fun- damentals of his art, being taught fuch obedience^ as that he will readily anfwer to the horfemen's helps and corredions both of the bridle and hand, the voice, the calf of the leg, and the fpurs, that hi knows how to make his way forward, and hath = gained a true temper of mouth, and a right placing of his head, and that he haih learned to flop, and turn readily : for unlefs he has been perfe£lly taught- thefe things, he can never proceed efFedually*'
The horje being thus prepared,^ {honld be.five years old, and well wayed before you begin to hunt him ; for although it is cuftomary with fome to hunt at four years old, yet at that age his joints not being v/ell knit, nor he attained to his beft Orength and courage, heis unable to perform any work of fpeed- and roughnefs, and will be in great danger of ftrains, and other maladies, and alfo a daunting of his fpirits, and abating his natural courage.-
Your ^^r/^ being full five, you may, if you pleafe, , put him to grafs from the middle oi May till Bartho^ LameW'tldey for theii-the feafon will be fo hot, it will' lM)t be convenient to work him*.
B 5^ B^^rtholomeW'i-
f34j
Bartholomew-tide hting nov/ comet and the pride and ftrength of the grafs nipped by the fevere frofts and cold dews, To that the nouriftiment of it turns to raw crudities, and the coldnefs in the night abates as much of hisflefh and luft as he gets in a day : take him from grafs while his coat lies fmooth and fleek. ^
Having brought him home, let your groom fet him up that night in fome fecure and fpacious houfe, where he may evacuate his body, and the next day liable him.
Tkejjrft fortnight's Diet for a Hunting Horse; §r the ordering of a Hunter, for the fir ft fortnight.
Your horfe being fuppofed to have evacuated all his grafs, and his fhoes fo well fettled to his feet, that he may be fit to be ridden abroad without dan- ger : I ihall now, in a more particular manner, dt- ie£i an unexperienced groom how he ought to pro- ceed to order his horfe according to art.
Firjl^ he ought to vifit his horfe early in the morning, to wit, by five o'clock in fummer, and fix in v/inter ; and having put up his litter under his ilall, and made clean his ftables, to feel his ribs, his- chaul, and his flank, they being the principal figns- "by which he muft learn to judge of the good or ill fiate of a horfe's body.
He ought to lay his hands on his fhortribs, near the flank, and if his fat feels to be exceeding foft and tender, and to yield as it were under his hand^. then he may be confident it is unfound, and that the leaffc violent labour or travel will diflblve it; which being difTolved before it be hardened by good <iiet, if it be not then removed by fcouring, the fat or greafe belonging to the outward parts or the body will fall down into his heels, and lo caufe goutinefs and fv/elling.
After
ATter, by feeling on his ribs, he has f<?und his ht- fbfc and unfound, then let him feel liis chaul ; andi if he finds any flefhy fubftance, or great round ker- nels or knots, he may be aflfured that as his outward fat has been unfound, fo inwardly he is full of glut,, and purfive, by means of grofs humours cleaving to the hollow places of his lungs, i^c
This fat is to be enfeamed and hardened by mode-^- rate exercife^ warm cloathing) and gentle phyfic, tp^ ccleanfe away, his inward glut.
The fame obfervations muft' be made from the flank, which; v/iil always be found to correfpondi with bis ribs and chaul, for till it is drawn, it will feel thick to your gripe, but when he is enfeamed you will perceive nothing bat two thin fkins j andi by thefe three obfervations of the rib, flank and chaps, you may at any time pafs an indifferent judg- -ment of the horfe's good or bad condition..
Having made thefe remarks on yoiir horfe'sftate and condition of body, then fift a handful or two* (but not more) of good old oats, and give them to him to preferve his ftomach from cold humours which might opprefs it by drinking fading, and likewife to make him drink the better..
When he hath eaten them, pull ofF his collar, and rub his head, face, ears, and nape of the neck, v*^ith a clean rubbing cloth made of hemp, for it is fove- reign for the head,, and difTolves all grofs and filthy.' humours.
Then take a^naffle, and wafK it in- clean water,, and put it on his head, drawing therein through the- headflall to prevent his flipping it over his head, and' fo tie him up to the rack, and drefs him thus :
F/Vy?) take a curry comb, fuitable to your horfe'ss ikin, in your right hand ; that is, if the coat of youf horfe be fhort and fmooth, then muft the curry- comb be blunt .3. bxit if it-belong and rough, thcre-
the
C 36 3 the teeth muft be long and (harp: {landing with your face oppofite the horfe's, hold the left cheek of the head-ftall in your left-hand, and curry him with a good hand from the root of his ears, all along his neck to his flioulders; then go over all his body with a more moderate hand ; then curry his but- tocks down to tKe hinder cambrel wich a hard hand again J then change your hand, and laying your right arm over his back, join your right fide to hb left, and fo carry him gently from the top ©f hi-s withers, to the lower patt of his fhoulder, every now and then fetcning your ftroke over the left fide of his breafl, and fo curry him down to the knee, but no farther.
Then curry him well under his belly, near his^fore bov/els, and, in a word, all over very well, his legs under the knees and cambrels only excepted ; and as you dreft his left fide, fo muft you the right alfo.
In doing this, taice notice where your horfe keeps a riggling up and down, biting the rack ftafFs, and now and then offering to fnap at you, or lifting up his leg ta ftrike at you, when you are currying him -: if he do, it is an apparent fign,. that the roughnefs of the combdifpleafes him, and therefore the teeth of it is to be filed more blunt ; but if you perceive he plays thefe or fuch like tricks through wanton-- nefs, and the pleafure he takes in the fri<Slion, then you Ihould every now and then correal him with your whip gently for his waggiihnefs,
This currying is only to raife the duft, th^erefore, after the horle has been thus curried, take either an horfe- tail nailed to an handle, or a clean dufting cloth of cotton, and wi[h it ftrik^ off the loofe dult that the curry comb has raifed.
Then drefs him. all over with the French brufh, both head, body and legs, to the very fetlocks,
oblerving
[ ?7 1
obferving always to cleanfe the brufh from the filth- it gathers from the bottom of the hair, by rubbing it on the curry-comb ;, then duft the horfe again the fecond time.
Then having wetted your hand in water, rub his body all over, and, as near as you can, leave no> ioofe hairs behind, and with your hands wet, pick-, and cleanfe his. eyes, ears and noftrils, (heath, cods, and tuel,. and fo rub him till he is as dry as at firft.
Then take an hair patch, and rub his body all over, but efpecially his fore-bowels under his belly-,, his flank, and between hishinr'er thighs : and, in the la ft place, wipe him over with a fine white linen rubber.
Wheii:j<y<ju hai'e thus drelTed him, take a large, faddle cloth (made on purpofe) that may reach dov/a to the fpurring-place, and lap it about his body:, then clap on his faddle, and throw a cloth over him,.. that he may not catch cold.
Then twift two ropes of flraw very hard together^ .. and with them rub and chafe his legs from the knees and cambrels- downwards to rhe ground, picking his fetlock joints, with your hands, from duft, filthy. and fcabs : then take another hair patch kept on purpofe for his legs, (for you. muft have two) . and with it rub and drefs his legs alfo.
And while you are drefiing your; horfe^ let him not ftand naked,- fo that his body be expofed to the penetration of the air; but when he is firipped, do your bunnefo roundly, without any intermifiion, till you havefaddled him, and thrown his cloth over him.
When you have done this, pick his feet clean with = an iron picker, comb duwn his mane and tail with a wet mane-comb, then fpurt (ome beer in hismoiith, and lb draw hini out of the ftable»-
Thea
[ 38 ] _
Then mount him, rake or walk him either to fomie running river or freOi fpring a mile of two diftant from the ilable, and there let him drink about half his draught at firit, two prevent raw crudities arifing in his ftomach.
After he has drank, bring him calmly out of the water, and ride him gently for a while; for nothing is more unbecoming a h or fern an than to put his horfe upon a fwift gallop as foon as he comes out of the water, for thefe three reafons.
1. He does not only hazard the breaking of his^ wind, but affuredly hazards the incording OF' burft^- inghim.
2. It begets in him an ill habit of running away>^ as foon as he has done drinking.
3. The forefight he has of fuch violent ^lex^rclfe, ^makes him oftentimes refufe to quench his thirft, andl therefore walk him a little way, and then put himt into a gentle gallop for five or fix fcore paces^ and; give him wind ; and after he has been raked a pretty/ while, (hew him the water again, and Jet him drink as much as he will, and then gallop him again, and? repeat this till he will drink no more j but be fure to obferve always, that you gallop him not fo muchi as to chafe or fweat him.
Here take notice, that in his galloping after wa* ter, (after the firlt weak's enfeaming) if fometimes you give him a watering-courfe (harply of twelve or twenty fcore paces, according as you find your- horfe, it will quench his fpirit, and caufe him to gaU Jop more pleafantly, and teach him to manage his> limbs more nimbly, and ftretch forth' his body, largely.
When your horfe has done drinking, then rake- him to the top of an hill, (if there be one near the- watering-place) for there, in a morning, the air is gurefti. or clfe to feme fuch place, where he may
gain
r 39 ]
gain the mofl advantage both by fun and air, and there air him a foot-pace for an hour, or longer, as you in your judgment (hall think fit, for the Itate of his body, and then ride him home.
During the time of your horfe's airing, you may eafily perceive feveral tokens of his fatisfadion, and he pleafure that he takes in his exercife.
For he will gape, yawn, and as it were flirughis body.
If he offers to ftand flill to dung or ftale, which his airing will provoke, be fure give him leave ; as alfo to flare about, neigh, or liflen to any noife.
Thefe airings are advantageous to the horfe on- feveral accounts.
1. It purifies the blood (If the air be clear and pure;) it purges the body of many grofs and fufFo- eating humours, and fo hardens and enfeams the horfe's fat, that it is not near fo liable to be difTolved by ordinary exercife.
2. It teaches him how to let his wind rake, and equally keep time with the other anions and motions cf his body.
3. It is of great advantage, lK)th to hunters and galjoppers, which are apt to lofe their flomaehs thro^ excefs or warit of exercife, for the (harpnefs of the air vvlil drive the horfe's natural heat. from the out-^ ward parts to the inward, which heat by furthering concoction creates appetite, and provokes the flo- mach.
4. It creates luft and courage in the horfe, pro- vided he be not aired too early.
When you are returned from airing,- and aredif- mounted, lead the horfe on the ftraw, which fhould always lie before the ftable door, and there by whir- ling and itirring up the litter under his belly, you •will ptovoke him to ftale. which- he wiil be brought to do with a little pra<^ice, audit mlibs advantage*
ous
[ 40 ]■
0US to the health cf the horfe, and a means of Iceep^ ing the ftable cleaner: then lead him into his ftall, (having firft been well littered j) ihen tie up his head to the empty rack, takeoff the (addle, rub his body and legs all over with x.\\q frejh butter^ then with the- hair patchy and laft of all with the woollen doth.
Then clothe him with- a linen cloth next to his body, and over that a canvas-cloth, and both made fit for him, to cover his breail, and to ccme pretty low down to his legs.
Then put over the before-mentioned a body-cloth of fix or eight ftraps, which is better than a fur^ oingJe and pad ftuft with whifps, becaufe this keeps- his belly in ihape, and is not fo fubje<St to hurt him.
Now thefe cloths will be fufficient for him at hi« firfi: ftabling, becaufe being inured to the cold, he will not be fo apt to take cold, the weather being indifferently v/arm ; but when fharp weather comes ^ on, and you find his hair rife about thofe parts that are unclothed, as neck, gafcoins, tf^c, then add ano- ther cloth, which ought to be of woollen, and for any horfe bred under the climate, and kept only for? ordinary hunting, this clothing will be fufficient.
Having already given dire<Stions as to the clothing of the horfe, i fiiall only add this one general rule; that a rough coat is a token of want of cloaths, and a fmooth coat of cloathing fufficient j therefore, if nqt]«Eithftanding what cloaths you have given hsm^ his €oat flflliiares, yonmuft add more cloaths till it: lie.
But if when he has been in keeping fome time,. you perceive him apt to fweat in the night, it is a figa li€ is over-fed^ and wants exercife ; but if he fweat at his firft coming from grafs^ then there is reafon to add rather than^diminifh his cloaths before diredled Ua. him atiiis houfiogj , for it pf oeeeds from the ;fouI
h:timQur8-.
[41 }
humours that opprefs nature, and when they are evacuated by exercife, nature will ceafe working, and he will continue in a temperate flate of body all the vear after.
When you have cloathed him up, pick his feet clean with an iron picker, and wafli his hoofs clean with a fpunge dipped in clean water, and dry thetn with ftraw or a linen cloth, then leave him on his fnaffle for an hour or more, which will affift his appetite.
Then vifit him again, du^ a handful of bay, and let the horfe teaze it out of your hand, till he hath eaten it; then pull ofF his bridle, and rub his head and neck clean with your hempen-cloth ; pull his ears and flop his noftrils, to caufe him to fnort, which will bring away the moift humours which opprefs his brain, and then put on his collar, and give him a quartern of oats clean dreffed in a fieve, having iirft cleaned his locker or manger with a whifp of ftraw and a cloth.
While he is eating his corn, fweep out your flable, and fee that all things are neat about him ; then turn up his cloaths, and rub his fillets, buttocks, and gafcoins over with the hair-patch, and after that with a woollen cloth ; then fpread a clean flannel fillet cloth over his fillets and buttocks, which will make his coat lie fmooth^ and turn down his houfing- cloths upon it; then anoint his hoofs round from the cornet to the toe with this ointment. -;^
Take 4 ounces of Venice- turpentine j 3 ounces of the beft rojin^ of bees-wax 2 ounces, i pound of dog's greaje^ and half a pint of tratn oil ; melt all^ thefe ingredients together, except the turpentine y then take them off the fire, and put in the turpentine^ liirring it ti'l it be well incorporated ; then pour lE out into an earthen gallipot, and keep it forufe,. but do not cover it till it is cold.
/ >- — ^^^'"^
[42]
After this, flop his feet with cow- dung. If by this time your horfe has eaten his oats with a good ftoraach, fift him another quartern, and (o feed him with little and little, while he eats with an appe- tite; but if you find he fumbles with his corn, give him no more for that time, but always give him his full feeding, for that will keep his body in better flate and temper, and increafe his ftrength and vigour.
Whereas, on the contrary, to keep your horfe always fharp-fet, is the ready way to procure a fur- feit, if at any time he can come at his fill of pro- vender.
But though you (hould perceive thatt he gather* flelh too faft upon fuch home feeding, yet be fur« not to ftint him for it, but only increafe his labour,, and that will affift both his ftrength and wind.
Having done all the things before directed, dull a pretty quantity of hay, and throw it down tohimont bis litter, after you have taken it up under him j and then fliutting up the windows and ftable door, kave him till one o'clock in the afternoon ; then vifit him again, and rub over his head, neck, fillets, buttocks, and legs as before, with the hair patch and woollen cloth, and then leave him to the time of the evening watering, which fliould be about four o'clock in the fummer, and three in the winter ; when having put back his foul litter, and fwept away that and his dung, drefs and faddle him, as before, mount him and take him to the water, and when he has drank, gallop him, and air him till you think it time to go home ; where )ou are to order in all points, as to rubbing, feeding, flopping his feet, iyc. as you did in the morning, and having fed him about fix o'clock, do not fail to feed him again at nine, litter him well, and give him hay enough to ferve him. all night ^ and fo leave him till next morning.
,^fter
[ 43 ] ■
After the dire<$^ions for this one day, fo muft you order him for a fortnight, and by that time his fieOi will be fo hardened, and his wind fo improved j his mouth will be fo quickened, and his gallop brought to fo good a flroke, that he will be fit to be put to moderate hunting.
Now during this fortnight's keeping, you are to make feveral obfervations, as to the nature and dif- poficion of your horfe, the temper of his body, the couife of his digeftion, t^c, and to order him accor- dingly.
1. Whether he be of a churlifh difpofition ; if foy you muft reclaim him by feverity.
If of a gentle, familiar, and loving temper, you muft engage and win him by kindnefs.
2. You muft obferve, whether he be a foul feeder^ or of a nice ftomach ; if he be quick at his meat, and retain a good ftomach, then four times of full feeding in a night and a day are fufEcient j but if he be a {lender feeder, and flow at his meat, then you muft give him but little at a time, and often, as about every two hours, for frefh meat will draw on his appetite; and you muft always leave a little meat in his locker, for him to eat at ieifure betwixt his feeding times; and if at any time you find any left, fweep it away and give him ftefti, and expofe that to the fun and air, which will reduce it again to it^ firft fweetnefs as before it was blown upon.
His ftomach may alfo be fharpened by change of meat, as by giving one meal clean oats, and at ano- ther oats and fplit beans, and when you have brought him to eat bread, you may give him another meal of bread ; always obferving to give him ofteneft that which you find he likes beft; or you may give him both corn and bread at the fame time, provided you give him that laft which he eats beft, and which is of the beft digeftion.
It
.^
f
_ [ 44 ]
It has been obferved of fome horfes, that they are ©f fo hot a coni^itution, tha: they cannct eat without drinking at every bit; and thofe hones ufaally carry no belly. You muft let a pail of water ftand contr- nuallv before fuch horfes, or at leaft o-ive them water at noon, befides what they have abroad at their ordi- nary t;me5.
Jn the next place, you are to obferve the nature of his digeft ion, \vhe:her he retains his food long, which is a flgn of bud digeP.ion; or whether he dungs frequently, which if he does, and his dung be loofe aiidbriin:,. it is a llgn of a good habit of body ; but if it be feldom and hard, it is a fign of a dry conftirution : in order to remedy which, give him once a cay a handful or two of oats, well wa(h- ed in good ftrong u.'e, and this will looien his body ard keep him moili 3 and it will alio be good for his wind.
The ficond fortnigbt^s diet for a Hunting Horse.
The hoife having been ordered for the fix ft fort- Eight, according to the foregoing rules, will be ia a pretty good ftate of body, for the grofs humours in him Aili be dried up, and his flefli will begin to be hardened, which you may perceive by feeling his cb{iuli hisy2>;/-/ ribi and fiank ; for the kernels under his chaps will not feel fj grofs as they did athrfl-, noc will bis fiefh on his Ihort ribs feel fo foft aid loofe, nor the ihin part of his fiank fo thick as at his tirft houfirg, fo that you may now wittiout hazard, ven« ture to hunt him moderately.
The time being row come that he may be hunted, he is to be ordered on his days of reil, in ail points, as to his dreiilr.g, hours of leeding, watering. Sec. as in the nSx fortnight before di reeled ; but orJy fince his labour is nov?,- increai'ed, you muft endeavour t0 increaie his flren^'h ani courage like wife.
Take.
L45 ]
Take two pecks of clean old beans, and one peck of wheat, and let them be ground together and fift the meal thro' a mea; Heve of an indifferent iinencfs and knead it with warm water and a good ftcre of yeaft j then let it lie an hour, or more, to fweil, which will make the bread the lighter, and have the eafier and quicker digeftion ; and after it has been well kneaded, make it up in loaves of a peck a piece, which will prevent there being too much cruft, and prevent it's drying too foon ; let them be well baked, and iland a good whii^e in the oven to foak : when they are drawn, turn tbe bottoms up- wards and let th?m ^znd to dry.
When the bread is a da? old, chip away the cru^, a"d you may give the horfe Tome, giving him fome- times bread, fomeiimes oats, and r:^metinies oat5 and fplit beans, according as you find his ftcmach : and this feeding will bring him into £s good con- dition as you need to denre for ordinary hunting.
The firft fortnight being expifed, and the bread prepared, you ought then to pitch upon a day for his going abroad after the dogs, and the dav before vou hunf, he muft always be ordered after this manner.
In the m:rning proceed in your ufuai methc-d as before, only obferve that day to give him no beans, beciufe they are hard of digeftion but give him moft of bread if you can d.-aw him to eat it, be- caufe it is more nourifhing than oats ; and after the evening, which ought to be fomewhat earlier than at other times, give him only a l:ttle hav out of your hand, and no more till tlie next dsy that he returns from hunting ; and to prevent his eating his litter ; or any thing elfeb^twhat you give him; inftead of a muzzle put on a cavellbn, joined to a head-ftali of a bridle lined with leather, for fear of hurting him, and tyin? it fo tight as to hinder his eaticg -, and this
will
r 46 ]
will prevent flcknefs in your horfe, which fome horfes are incident to when their muzzle is put on, notwithftanding the invention of the lattice window fo much ufed ; but by taking this method, the horfe's noftrils are at full liberty, and he will not grow fiCk.
But as to corn, give him his meals, both after his watering-, and «ttnine o'clock, and at that time be fure to litter him well, that he may take his reft the better that night, and then leave him till morning.
The next morning vifit him early, at about four o'clock, and put a quarter of a peck of clean drefled oats into his locker, pouring into it a quart of good firongale, mixing the oats and ale well together; then put back his dung and foul litter, and clean the flable : but if he will not eat wafhed oats, give him dry, but be fure not to put any beans in them.
When he has done eating, bridle him, and tie him up to the ring and drefs him : having drefTed him, faddlehim, and throw his cloth over him, arid let him fland till the hounds are ready to go out.
Take care not to draw the faddle girths too ftreight till you are ready to mount, left that fhould caufe him to grow fick.
Tho' old horfes are generally fo crafty, that when a groom goes to girt them up hard, they will extend their bodies fo much by holding their wind (on pur- pofe to gain eafe after they are girt ; that it will feem difficult to girt them, but when they let go their wind their bodies fall again.
When the hounds are unkennelled, (which (hould not be before fun-rifmg) go into the field along with them, and rake your horfe up and down gently till zhare isftarted ; always remembering to let him fmell to the dung of other horfes, if there be any, which will provoke him to empty himfelf ; and fuffer
him
[ 47 1 him to ftand flill till he does (o -, and if there be any dezdfrogs^ rufhes, or the like, ride him upon them, and whiftle to him, to provoke him to ftale and empty his bladder.
The hare being ftarted, follow the hounds as the other hunters do : but remembering it to be the firft time of his hunting, he is not (o v/ell acqu^int^d with the difte rent forts of grounds, as to know how to gallop f^Tioothly and with eafe on them, and for that reafon you ought not yet to put him to above half his fpeed, that he may learn to carry a tiaj'd body, and to manage his legs both upon fallows and green fwarth.
Neither (hould you gallop him often, er any lonaj time together, for fear of difcouraging him, and , caufing a diflike of his exercife in him : and taice , care to crofs fields to the beft advantage ; you fhould make into the hounds at every default, and ftill keep your horfe (as much as thefe dire6}:ions will allow you) within the cry of the dogs, that he may beufed to their cry ; and by fo doing, in a very fhort time he v/ill take fuch delight and pleafure in their mufic, that he will be eager ro follovv them.
And if it happen that the chace is led over any
carpet-ground, or fandy highway, on which your
horfe may lay out his body fmoothly, there you may
gallop him for a quarter or half a mile, to teach him
to lay out his body, to gather up his legs, to lengthen
and fliorten his ftroke, and according to the different
earth he gallops on, as if on green Jiuartb, meadow^
niQorey heathy &c. then, to ftoop and run more on the
(hioulders ; if 2Ln\ong{\mGlehiI/s, or over high ridges
^nd furrowsy then to gallop more roundly or in lefs
compafs, or according to, the vulgar phrafe, iws up
, and two down^ that thereby he may ftrike his fur-
; -row clear, and avoid fetting his fore-feet in the bot-
;)tom of it, and by that means fall over \ but, by the
way.
C 48 1
way, galloping, tho* he (hould happen to fet his feet in a furrow, yet carryinghis body fo round, and refting on the hand in his gallop, would prevent his falling; and to his perfection, nothing but ufe, and fuch moderate exercife, can bring him.
*\ccording to thefe dire<S^ions, you may hunt till about three o'clock in the afternoon, at which time ride him home in a foot-pace, as you came out in the morning ; and be fure that you let him walk out of the field ; and as you are going home, confider whether he hath fweat a little^ (for you muft not fweat him much the firft time) but if not, then gal- lop him gently on fome fkelping earth, till he fweat at the roots of his ears, a little on his neck, and in his flank ; but it muft be done of his own voluntary motion, without the compulfion of whip or fpur ; and then when he is cool as aforefaid, have him home and ftable him, and by no means walk him in hand to cool him, for fear of his cooling too faft, nor do not wafii him, for fear of caufmg an obftrud^ion of the natural courfe of the humours, and by that means caufe an inflammation in his legs, which is the original caufe of the fcratches.
His ftaii being well littered againft he comes home, fet him up, tying his head to the ring with the bridle, and then rub him v/ell down with dry ftraw all over his head, neck, fore bowels, belly, flank, buttocks, aud legs, and after that rub his body over with a dry cloth, till he has not a wet hair left about him ; the place where the faddle was, dry, in like manner, and cloath him immediately with his ordinary cloaths left he take cold ; and if you fuppofe him to be very hot, throw a fpare cloth over him, that he may not cool too faft, which you may abate when . you pleafe, and fo let him ftand on his fnaffle, two hours or better, now and then ftirring him in his
ftall
t 49 ] ftall with your whip, to prevent him from growing ftiiFinthe legs and -oints.
When that time is expired, and you think he is thorough cold, draw his bridle, rub his head, pick: his feet from dirt or gravel, and put on his collar, ^ and give him a quart or three pints of fifted oats^/r^jp mixed with a handful of clean drefled hcmpfeed ; but>:^^ give him not more than the quantity prefcribed, foi tear of taking away his flomach, which WiU be very much weakened through the heat of his body, and want of w^ater.
Then take cfF the fpare cloth, (if it has not been \ done before) for fear of keeping him hot too long; and when he has eaten his corn, throw a pretcy quantity of hay, clean dulled, on his litter, and let him reft two or three hours, or thereabouts.
Then having prepared him a good mafh, made of half a peck of malt, well ground, and boiling hot water, fo much as the malt will fweeten and the ^* ^ horfewill drink, flir them well together, and cover jL it over with a cloth, till the water has cxtracSled the J ftrength of the malt, which will be almoft as fweet 5- as honey, and feel ropy like bird-lime; being but -ft^ little more than blood-warm, give it the horfe, but not before, left the ftcam go up his noftrils and offend him ; and when he has drank up the water, let him, if he pleafe, eat the malt too.
But if he refufe to drink it, you muft not give him any other water that night, but place this drink in fome place of his ftall, fo that he may not throw it down, and let it ftand by him all night» that he may drink it when he pleafes.
This mafti, or, as it is c^iWtA^horfe-caudle^ will com- fort his ftomach, and keep his body in a due tem- perate heat after his day's hunting ; it vvill cleanfc and bring away all manner of greafe and grofs hu- mours, which have been diftblvcd by the day's la- C bour;
r-
[ 50 3
bour; and the fume of the malt grains, after he has drank the water, will difperfe the watery humours which might otherwife annoy h;>i^head, and is al- lowed by aM (killed in horfes, to be ^^r^^ advan- tageous on that account.
After he has eaten his.mafli, ftrip him of his cloathes» and run him over with 2, curry-comb^ Freruh LruhO^ hair patchy woollen and cloih^ and cloath . him up again , and cleanfe his legs as v/ell as his body, <>f all dirt and filth which may annoy them, and then remove him into another ftall, (that you may not wet his Utter) and bathe his le^s all over from
;j^*^the knees with warm leef-broih^ or (which is better) with a quart of warm urin:^ in which four ounces.
oi Jalt'petre has-been dilTolved; then rub his legs
dry, fet him again into his flall^ and give hirn a good home feeding cf oats, or bread, which he likes. beA,
f,y or both, and havingiliook good (lore of litter under .him. that he may reft the better, and thrown him -hay enough far all night, fhut the liable door cloie, and leave him to his reft till the next morning. About fix prfeven o'clock the next morning, go ^ ^ to hiin again, but don't difturb him, forthe morn- V* ino's reft is as refrefhing to a horfe as to.a man ; but- v^ i when he rifes of his own accord, go to him,, put >V - back his dung from his litter, and obferve what co- ^\^ lour it is of, whether it be grcafy, and ftiine out- ^ \yardly, and'alfo break it with your feet, to fee if it ^ be fo inwardly, for if it be greafy and foul, (which ^^-^\ou ma^i kno\Y by its fhining outwardly, and by the fpots like foap that WiH appear within) or if it ap- pear of a dark brown colour, and harder than it was, jt.is a token that the hunting of the day before has done him good, by difToIving part of the inward clut which was within him ; and therefore the next Vime you hunt, you (hould increafe his labour but a S little.
[51 ]
But if you perceive no fuch fymptoms, but that his dung appears bright, and rathep joft than hard^ without greafe, and in a word, that it holds the fame pale yellow colour that it did before he hunted, it is a fign that a day^s hunting made no diffoluiion^ but that his body remains in the fame ftate iiil!, and therefore the next day's hunting you may almoft double his labour.
Having made thefe remarks on his dung^ then you «m may proceed to order him as on his days of reft; that is to fay, you fhall give him a handful or two of oats before water, then drefs, water, air, feed, ^c, as in the firft fortnight.
If you find him quick, and that he retains his bread but a little while, then only chip his bread lightly; but if it be flow, and he retains it long, then cut away all the crufl and give it to fome other horfe, and feed the hunting horfe only with the crumby for that being light of digeftion, is foon con- verted into chyle and excrements, but the cruft being not fo foon digeftible, requires, by reafen of itshard* nefs, longer time before it is conceded. 4
The next day after your horfe has refled, you may-^^^ hur.t him again as you did the firft day, obferving from the remarks you have made, to hunt him more or lefs according as you find his temper and confti- tution ; and when you come home, put in practice the rules juft now given.
And thus you may hunt him three times a week for a fortnight together, but do not fail to give him his full feeding, and no other Jcourings but mafhes and hemp-feed, which is equal in its virtue with the former, and only carries ofF fupeffluous humours in the dung,
Cz lh
[52]
The chlrd fortnighfs diet, &c. for J Hunting- Horse.
By this time the horfe will be drawn fo clean, hit
fiefh will be fo enfeamed, and his wind fo improved, that he will be able to ride a chafe of three or four miles without blowing or fv/eating ; and you may find by his ^haul and Jl7nk, as well as his rih^ that he is in an indifferent good ftate of body and there- fore iji this next fortnight you muft increafe his la- bour, and by that means you will be able to make a judgment of ^vhat.he will be able to do, and whether or no he will becveriit for running for /)/<2/^j, or a mrdch.
When your horfe is fee over night, and fed early in the morning, as has been di reded for the fecond fortnight, then go into the field with him, and when he is empty, (as he will be by that time you have frarted your, game) follow the dogs at a good round rate, as at half fpeed, and fo continue till you have cither killed or lofl your firft har£.
This will fo rack your horfe, and he will have fo emptied himfclf, that he will be in a fit condition to be rid the next chafe brifkly, which as foon as it is begun, you^ay fcjlow the dogs at three quarters fpeed, and as mar as is fit for a good horfeman, and ll^ilful huntfmani but be Jure to take care not to ilrain him.
During this day's riding, you ought to obferve nicely, your Xxoxit's fwe^n, unMr \x\sfaddh and fere- bowels-i and jf it appear white, lil;e froth or foapr fuds, it is a fign jof inward glut and foul-nefs, and that your day's exercife was enough for him, tbeje- fore ride him home, and order him a^ before di- reaed.
But if it has happened that your exercife has been r?. cafy as not to Iweat your hoxie thoroughly, then
you
C 53 ]
you ought to make a train- fcenfe of four miles m length, or thereabouts, and laying on your fleeteft dogs, ride it brifkly, and afterwards cool him in the field, and ride him home and ojder him as has beea before directed.
A train- fcent^ is the trailing of a dead cat or fox,/f' (and in cafe of neceility a red herring) three or four*""^ miles, according as the rider' iliall pleafe, and then laying the dogs on the fcent.
It will be proper to keep tv/o or three couple of the fleeted hounds that can poflibly be procured, for this purpofe.
When you take off your horfe^s bridle, give him a good quantity of rj^ bread ini^iQzd of temp-fied a.n<\ eais, and for that purpofe bake a peck loaf, for this y: being cold and moiil, v/iil be of ufe to cool his ^^jfA after his labour, and prevent codivenefs, to which- ,'; you wirll find him addided \ then give him hay, and afterwards a mafli, and order him in all things as before dire£led.
The next morning, if you perceive by his dung that his body is diftempered, and that he is hard and bound, then take fome crumbs of your rye-bread, and work it with as much fweet frelh butter as will make it into a pafte, and make it up into balls about the bignefs of a large walnut, of which give hurb five or fix in a morning faffing.
After this put the faddle on upon the cloth, get up and gallop him gently upon fome grafs plot or clofe that is near at hand, till he begins lo fv/eat un- . der his ears, and then carry him into the ftable again, rub him well, and throw a fpare cloth over him*, and a good quantity of frefh litter under him, ard Itt him {land two hours on the bridle ; then give him a quantity of rye-bread^ and fome hc4y to chew upon, then procure him a warm malli, and feed him
witU
[ 54 ]
with bread and corn, as much as he will eat, and alio as much hay as he will eat.
The next ddj water him abroad, and order him as is before direcled for days of reft.
The next day you may hunt him again, but not fo hard as you did the time before, till the after- ^noon; but then ride him after the dogs brifkly, and if that does not make*him fweat thoroughly, make another traln-fcent^ and follow the dogs three quar- ters fpeed, that he may fweat heartily : then cool him a little, and ride him home, and as foon as he is come Into the ftable, give him two or three balls as big as walnuts, of the following excellent fcouring.
Take of butter, eight ounces ; Icnhive eleSfuart^ ^ four ounces 3 grcmivel broom, and purJJy-Jeedsy of each ,^two ounces ; amiijeeds, liquoricey and cream of tartar^ of each one ounce ; of jalap, two ounces ; reduce the feeds to a powder, then fiir them into a parte with the eleSluary and butter, knead it w^U together, put it into a pot, and keep it clofe flopped for ufe.
As foon as the horfe has taken thefe balls, rub him dry, drefs him, and cloath him warm, and let him ftand two or three hours upon the fnafflej and after- wards give him two or three handfuls of rye-bread, and order him as you have been dire£ted before, as to hay, provendc^, mafh, l^c, and fo leave him till the morning.
In the morning take notice of his dung, whether it ftill retains the true colour, or be dark, blacky or -rriand high-coloured : in the next place, whether it be loofe and thin, or hard and dry.
If it be o^ -a. pale yellow, which is the right colour, it is a fign of heahh, firength, and cleannefs ; if it be dark, or black, then it is a fign there is greaje and t)ther ill humours ilirred up, v/hich are not yet eva- cuated ; if it be red^A high-coloured^ then it is a fign
that
C 55 ]
that his blood is fevcrifh and diftempered, by means of inward heat : if it be loofe and thin, it is a figa of weaknefs ; but if hard and dry, it (hews the horfe to be hot inwardly, or elfe that he is a foul feeder : but if his dung be in a nnedium between hard and foft, and fmell firong, ic is a fign of health and vigour.
When thefe obfervations have been made on his dung, then feed^ drefs^ wner^ ^Jc, as on his ufual days of refi-, alv/ays letting him have variety, and his fill of corn and bread.
The next day have him abroad into the field again, but do not by any means put him to any labour more than raking him from hill to hill after the dogs, keeping him within found of their cry ; for the intent of this day's exercife is only to keep him in breath, and procure him an appctitfc.
In riding, let him fland Hill to dung, and look back on it, that you may be able to judge of his ilate thereby.
When the day is near fpent, ride him home with-- out the leaft fweat, and order him as at other times^ except that you are not to give him ^Vij fcouringsy or rye-bread.
You may, if you pleafe, this day, water your horfe, both at going into the field and coming out,, galloping him after it, to warm the water in his belly.
The next day being to be a day of red, order hlni in the fame manner in every relpcvSi; as on other days- of reft; and as you have fpent this week, }'ou rr^ulk fpend the next, without any alteration ; and by this time, and this management, you may deper)d upoa it that your hoife has been drawn clean enough lujr ordinary hunting.
Having thus drawn your horfe clean according to
■art, you will perceive thofe figns befoic mentioned
C 4 verjp
is6\
very plainly, for his flefh on his fhort ribs and but- tocks will be as hard as brawn^ his Jiank will be thin, and nothing to be feit but a double fkin, and chaps fo clean from fat, glut, or kermis^ that you may hWe your fifls in them ; and above all, this exercife will give plain demcnftration of the effe^tualnefs of this method of ordering him, for he v/i)l run three or four miles three quarters fpeed without fweating, or fcarce fo much as blcwing.
When the horfe has been brought to this ftatc, you mud ufe no more fcourings afrer hunting, (be- caufe natuic has nothing to work on) but rye-bread and ma{h. except the horfe be now and then trou- bled with fome liitlc pofe in his head j and then bruife a little muflard fetd in a fine linen rag, and fletp it in a quart of flrong ale, for thiee or four hours, and then untying the rag, mix the muftard feed and the ale with a quarter of a peck of oats, and give it to him.
In the laft place, the horfe having been thus drawn clean, you ought to take care not to let him glow foul again, through want of either airing or hunting, or any other negligence, left by that mean* you make yourfelf a double trouble.
Cy^r^/^w^ Hunting ^w^Race Horses, Procure either an Arabian, a Spawjhy or Jurk'ijhy horfe, or a Barb for a Stallkn, which is well-ftiaped, and of a good colour, to beautify your race j and forne advife that he be well marked too, tho* others are of opinion, that marks are not fo fignificant as Mr. Blundeviile and Fredcrigo Crijfone would have us believe.
Thofe who have travelled into thofe parts report, that the right /lrahu>in horfes aie valued at an almoft incredil)!t rate, at five hundied, and others fay, two •r three thoufand pounds an horfe ; that the Arahi
are
C 57 1
arc as careful of keeping the genealogies of therr horles, as princes are in keeping their pedigrees v that they keep them with medals ; and that each fon's portion is ufually twofuits of arms, two fcyme- ters, and one of thefe horles. The yfrabjhoa^^ that they will ride eighty miles a day without drawing bitt ; which is no more than has been performed by feveral of our Engli/b horfes.
But much more was performed ln» a highwayman's horfe, who having committed a robbery, rode on tire fame day from London to Torky being two bundled miles
Notwithftanding their great value, and the diiH- culty in bringing them trom Sccndcroon to Efiglaml by fea, vet by the care and charge ofibme breeders in the north, the jlrahian horfe is na llranger to thole parts, where probably may be feen-at this day fome of the race, if not a true Arabian flallion.
The Spanijh horfe (in the duke of Nc^.L'ca/lle^ ^P^'^.iL nion) is the nobleft horfe in the world, and the moftTj beautiful that can be; no horle is fo beautifully fhaped all over from hd-idto croups and he is abfolutely x\\<i ht\k /ioilion in the world, either for breed, for the manage, the war, the pad, hunting, or running horfes ; but as they are excellent, (o is their price extravagant, thre^; or four hundred pifloles being a common price for a Spuiiijh horfe.
Several have been fold for (tvQxx hundred, eight hundred, and a ihoufand piftolcs a-piece.
The beli Sp^nr/b horfes aiebied in j'hidalujia^ and particularly at Cor.iou::., where the king has man/ - lluds of mares, and i'o iikewifu hav-c feveral cf the: Spanijh nobility and gei.try.
Now be fides tbc great price they cofl at {u\}^ tl>s- charges of the journey from Spain to Engleivd.v.n\\\)ii very confidcratile i for firil they mufi travel from yf«- diihijla to Bllboiiy or St. Sebii/iian^ the iieartlb ports
Wi
nt
[-58]
to EnglavdfZnd Is at the leaft four hundred miles : and in that hot country, you cannot v/ich fafety travel your horfe above twenty miles a day -, and befides, you muft be at the expenc of a Groom and Farriery bsfides the cafualty of ficknefs, lamenefs and death: fo that if he fliould happen to prove an extraordinary good horfe, by the time you have got him home, he nW alfo be an extraordinary dear one.
The Turkijh horfe is but little inferior to the Spa^ ,jjh in beauty, but fomewhat odd (haped, his head beino- fomewhat like that of a camel-, he hath excel- lent eyes, a thin neck, excellent rifen, and fome- what large of body j his croup is like that of a Barb^ but very fmewy, good patterns, and good hoofs : they never amble, but trot very well, and are at prefent accounted better ftallions for galloppers than Barbs.
Some merchants tell us, that there cannot be a more noble and diverting fight to a lover of horfes, than to walk into the paftures near Conjiantincphy libout foiling time, where.he may fee many hundred gallant horfes tethered, and every horfe has his atten- dant or keeper, with his little tent placed near him to lie in, that he may look to him and take care to fhift him toirefhgrafs.
The price of a lurkijh horfe is commonly one , hundred or one hundred and fifty pounds ; and when bouo-ht, it is difficult to get a pafs, the Grand gignior being (o very flria, that he feldom (but upon very extraordinary occafions) permits any of his horfes to be exported.
But if you fhould attain a liberty fo to do, and travel by land, unlefs you have a Turk or two for a ncovoy, you will be fure to have them feized on by the way.
[59'i
And befides, you will find the fame difficulties of a long journey, for you mufi: come through Germany^ which is a very long w^y, and Jthe fame charges at- tending it^ that is, a Groom and Farrier, who muft be careful that they intruft no perfon whatfoever with the care of him but themfelves, efpecially in (hoeing him, for 'tis the common practice beyond fea, as ;well as here, wherever th.ey fee, a fine horfe, to hire a farrier to prick him, that they may buy him for a- ftallion.
But fome perfons chufe to buy horfes at Smyrna ia
Antvlia^ and from thence, and likewife from Con-
Jhntinople^ to tranfport them to England by fea,. which
.if the wind ferves right, arrive in England in a
month J though generally the merchants voyages are
not made in much lefs than tv/o or three months.
The Barb is little inferior to any of the former in-
beauty ; but our modern breeders account him too
flender and lady-like to breed on,, and therefore, in
the north of England^ they prefer the Spanijh and
l^urkijh horfe before him.
He is fo lazy and negligent in his walk, that ha- will ftumble on carpet-ground.
His trot is like that of a cow, his gallop low, and 'with much eafe to himfelf ; but he is for the mofb part finewy and nervous-, excellently v/inded, and; good for a courje if he be not over- weighed.
The mountain Barbs ^vt efteemed the beiT,. becaufe- they are ftrongeft and largeft : they belong to the Jl- larbes, who value them themfelves as much as other nations do, and therefore will not part with them to any perfons, except to t\\Q Ftinceof,ihe land, to which. they belong, v/ho can at, any time at his, pleafure command them for his own ufe : JDut rfor the other more ordinary fort,, they are to be .met with pretty common in the hands of our nobility and gentry ; or if you fend to Languedocy or Provencey in France^
they
i 60 ]
they jnay bebought there for forty or fifty piftoles a hojfe
Or if you fend to Barbtiry^ you may buy one for thirty pounds, or thereabouts j but in this cafe too, the charges and journey will be great ; for tho* it be no great voyage from Tunis io Mar/eiiiesin France^ yet from Mar/ei lies to Calais^ by Iand.» is the whole length of France, and from thence they are {hipped /br England.
The next thing to be confidered is the choice of margSy and according to the duke of Newcajils's opi- nion, the fitted mare to breed out o^", is one that has been bred of an Engltfo mare hy fire and dam, that is well fore-handed, well underlaid, and ftrong put toge- ther in general ; and in particular, fee that Ibe have a lean head, v/ide noftriJs, open chaul, a big weajand, and the xvirid pipe ftrait and loofe ; and of about five -or f^K years old 3 and be fure that the ftallion be not too old.
As for the feed of the Stallion ;
Keep him as high as pofTibly you can, for the firft four or five months before the time of coV£ring, with old clean oa!s znd Ipiit beanl, well huii'd, and if you pleafe \ou may add bread to them, fuch as you will hereafter be dire^Stcd to make ; and now and then a handful of clean wheat may be given him, or oats v/afned in firong ale, for variety*
Be fure to let him have plenty of gc6d old fwea hay^ vrell cleanfed from duft, and good wheat ftrav/ to lie on } v/ater him twice a c^ay, ^t fome fair running ftream, or el fe in a clear (landing pond water, if you- canno: have the firft;' and gallop him after he hath drank, in fcnid nieadow or level piece of ground.
Do nor fufFef hiir. to drink his fill at his firft coming to the water, biit after "his "firft .draughtj gallop an*!
fcrope
[ 6i ] fcopc him up and down to warm him, and then hrln^ him to the water again and let him drink his fill, gal- loping him again as before, never leaving the water till he has drank as much as he will.
By this means you will prevent raw crudities, which the coldnefs of the wa(er would otherwife produce, to the detriment of his ftomach, if you had permitted him to drink his fill at firft ; whereas by allowing him his fill (tho* by degrees) at iaft, you keep his body from drying too faft.
As for other lules for the oideiing him after wa- tering, and the hours of feeding, b'V. they will be more proper.
When the flallion is in luft, and the time of co- vering is come, v/hich is beO- to be in May^ that the foals may fall in the v^/)/-// following, otherwife they will have little or no grafs.
Then pull oft his hinder fhoes, and lead him to the place where the ftud of mares are which you intend for covering; which place ought to be a cJofe, well fenced, and in it a little hut for a man to iieip, and a large flied with a marger, to feed your ftallion with bread and corn during his abode with the mares, and (helter for him in the heat cf the day, and in rainy weather : and this clofeoLi^ht to be of fuificient largenefs to keep the maies well for two monthw*^.
Before you pull off his bridle, let hini coveV a mare or two in hand, then turn him loofe aniong them, and put alt your mares to him, as well thole that arc with foal, as thofe which are not, for there is no danger in it ; and by that means they v/i!l all be ferved in the height of their lutt, an-d according to the intention of natire.
When your ihi ion has ccvercd them once, he will try them all OV' r again, and thofe that will ad- mit him, he will ferve ; and when he has done his^ bufineis, he will beatagainft the pales, and attempt
to
[62]
to be at liberty, which when your man finds, (who is to obferve them night and day, and ta take care that no other mares are put to your horfe, and ta give you an account which take the horfe, and which not, &c.) then take him up, and keep him well as you did before, firft giving him a ma(h or two, to help to reRore nature y for you will find him little but fkin and bones, and his mane and tail will rot off.
Be fure never to give him above ten or twelve mares in a feafon at mod, otherwife you will fcarce recover him againft the next covering time.
Some advife to covering in hand^ as the other is called coveting out of bandy and is as follows : When you have brought both your horfe and your mare to a proper condition for breeding, by art and good feeding, then fet fome ordinary ftone nag by her for a day or two, to woo her, and that will make her fo prone to luft, that (he will readily receive your ilallion, which you fhould prefent to her,^ either early in a morning, or late in an evenings for a day or two together, and let him cover in hand once or twice, if you pleafe, at each lime obferving tagive the horfe the advantage of ground, and have a perfon ready with a bucket of cold water to throw on the Kiare's fhape immediately upon the difmounting of the horfe, which will make her retain the feed fhe received the better ; efpecially if you get on her back, and trot her up and down for a quarter of an hour, but take care of heating or ftrainingher ; and it will not be amifs if you let them faft two hours after fuch adt, and then give each of them a warm mafh, and it is odds but this way yaur marcs may be as well ferved as the other, and your fiallionWill^ iaft you much longer.
If
[ 63 ]
IF you take care to houfe the mares all the win- ter, and keep them well, their colts will prove the betcer.
Of riding a Hunting-match or Heats for a Plate.
The firft thing requifite is a ridir^ who ought ta be a faithful one, in whom you may confide ; and he fhould have a good clofe (eat, his knees being held firm to his laddie fkirts, his toes being turned inwards, and his fpurs outwards from the horie's (ides, his \dt hand governing the horfe's mouth, and his right commanding the whip, taking care, during the whole time of the trial, to fit firm in the faddle, without wavingj or (landing up in the ftirrups, which actions do very much incommode a horfe, not- withftanding the conceited opinion of fome jockies, that it is a becoming feat.
In fpurring his horfe, he fhould not ftrike him hard with the calves of his legs, as if he would beat the wind out of his body, but juft turning his toes outwards, and bringing his fpurs quick to his fides ; and fuch a (harp flroke will be of more fervice to- wards the quickening of the horfe, and fooner draw blood.
Let him be fure never to fpur him but when there is occafion, and avoid fpurring: him under the fore- bowels, between his fnoulders and girths, near the heart, (which is the tendered place of a horfe) till the laft extrefTuty.
As to the whipping the horfe, it ought to be over thefhoulder on the near fide, except upon hard run- ning, and when you are at all, then flrike the hcrfe in the flank with a fir >ne jerk, the fkin being tender- eft there, and moft fendble of the lafii.
He muft ob erve, v/hjn he whips and fpurs his horfe, and is certain that he is at the top of his fpeed,
if
[ ^4 ]
if then he claps his ears in his pole, or whifks hfs tai), then he may be fure that he bears him hard ; and then he ought to give him as much comfort as he can, by fawing his fnaffle to and fro in his mouthy and by this means forcing him to open his mouth, which Will comfort him and give him wind.
\i in the time of riding there is any high wind ftir- ring, if it be in his face, he fhould let the adverfary lead, he holding hard behind him till he lees an op- portunity of giving a loofe; yet he muft take care to keep fo clofe to him, that his adverfary's hotfe may break the wind from his, and that he, by looping low in his feat, may (helier himself under him,, which will ailift the Itrength of his horfe.
But on the contrary, if the wind be at his back, he muft ride exactly behind him, that his own horfe may alone enjoy the benefix of the wind, by beina; as it were blown forward, and by breaking it from his adverfiiry as much as poffible.
In the next place, obferve what ground your horfe delights m oft to run on, and bear the horfe (as much as your adverfary will give you leave) on level carpet ground, becaufe the horfe v/ill naturally be dtfirous to fpend him more freely thereon ; but on deep eaiths give him more liberty, becaufe he will na- turally favour himfeif thjereupon.
If you are to run up hill, don't forget by any means to favour your horfe, and bear him, for feax €>f running him out of wind,, but if it be down hill (if your horfe's feet and fhouldtrs will endure it, and you dare venture yoar neck) always give hiai a loofe.
This may be obferved as. a general rule, that if yau find your horfe iv. have the heels of the other, that then you be cartful to preferve his fpeed till the laft train fcenr,, if )Os are not to ruji a ftralt courfe ; butiffo, then till the end of the couife, and fo t<^
i^yfband
1^5 1
liufband it then alfo, that you may be able to make a puQi for it at the laft poft.
In the next place, you are to acquaint yourfelf, as well as you can, of the nature and temper of your adverfary's horfe, and if he be fiery, then to run jufl: behind, or jufl cheek by joul, and with the whip make as much noife as you can, that you may force him on faficr than his rider would have him, and by that means fpend him the fooner; or elfe keepjuft before him, on fuch a flow gallop, that he may either over- reach, or by treading on your horfe's heels (if he will not take the leading) endanger falling over.
Take notice alfo on what ground your opponent's horfe runs the worft, and be fure to give a loofe on that earth, that he being forced to follow you,, may be in danger of flumbling, or clapping on the back finews.
in the like manner, in your riding obferve the fe- yeral helps and correSiions of the hand^ the whipy and fpur, and when, and how often he makes ufe of them 5 and when you perceive that }?is horfe begins rto be blown, by any of the former fymptoms, ag clapping down his cars, whifking his tail, holding out his nofe like a pig, ^c. you may then take it for granted that he is at the height of what he can do ; and therefore, in this cafe, take notice how your own rides, and if he runs chearfully and flrongly, without fpurring, then be fure to keep your adver- fary to the fame fpeed, without giving him eafe, and by fo doing, you will quickly bring him to give out, or elfe diftance him.
Obferve at the end of every train f cent what con- dition the other horfe is in, and how he holds out in his labour, of which you may be able to make a judgment by his looks, the working of his flank, iind the flackncfs of his girths.
166 J
For if he look dull, it is a fign that his fpirits fail him ; if his flanks beat much, it is a token that his wind begins to fail him, and confequently his flrength will do fo too.
If his wind fail him, then his body will grow thin> and appear tucked up, which will make his girths, to the eye, Teem to be flack ; and therefore you may take this for a rule, that a horfe's wanting girting, after the firft fcent, provided he were girt clofeat his iirft (darling, is a good fign ; and if you find it fo> you need not much defpair of v/inning the v/ager.
After the end of every train-fccnty and alfo after every heat for a plate, you mufl have dry flraw and dry cloaths, both linnen and woollen, which have been lleeped in urine and falt-petre a day or two, and then dried in the fun, and alfo one or two of each muft be brought into the field wet ; and after the train has been ended, two or three perfons mufl help you ; and after the groom has, with a knife of heat^ fcraped off all the fw^at from the horfe's neck^ body, t^jc. then they muft rub him well down dry, all over, firft v/ith tKe dry ftraw, and then with dry cloths, whilft others are bufy about his legs ; and as foon as they have rubbed him dry, then let them chafe them with the wet cloths, and never give over till you are called by the judges to flart again.
The next thing to be regarded, are the judges or triers oiHce, who are to fee that all things are ordered accordinor to the articles agreed on, which to that €nd ought to be read before the horfes ftart.
Next, that each trier on whofe fide the train is to be led, according as the articles give directions for its leading, according to the advice of the rider^ or his knowledge of the nature and difpofition of that horfe on whofe fide he is chofe.
Next, that each trier be fo ad vantageoufly mount- ed, as to ride up behind the horfes (but not upon
them )
[ ^7 3
them) all day, and to obferve that the contrary horfc ride his true ground, and obferve the articles in every particular, or elfe not to permit him to pro- ceed.
Next, that after each irain-fcent be ended, each trier look to that horfe a^ainfl: which he is chofen, and obferve that he be noway relieved but with rub- bing, except liberty on both fides be given to the contrary.
Next, as foon as the time allowed for rubbing be expired, which is generally half an hour, they fhall command them to mount, and if either rider refufe, it may be lawful for the other to ftart without him ; and having beat him the diflance agreed on, the wager is to be adjudged on his fide.
Next, the triers (hall keep off all other horfes from crofling the riders t only they themfelves may be allowed to inftrud the r^d^fs byword of mouth, how to ride, whether flow or faft, according to the advantages he perceives may be gained by his direc* .lions.
Lafl:ly, if there be any weight agreed on, they •fhall fee that both horfes bring their true weight to the ftarting-place, and carry it to the end of the train, upon the penalty of lofmg tne wager.
Now in running for 2. plate there are not fo many obfervations to be made, nor more dire<fiions re- quired, than what have been already given, only this; if you know your horfe to be tough at bottom, and that he will ftick at mark, to ride him each heat, according to the beft of his performance, and avoid as much as poilible either riding at any particular horfe, or laying for any, but to ride each hea^ throughout with the beft fpecd you can.
But if you have a very fiery horfe to manage, or one that is hard-mouthed and difficult to be held, then flart him behind the reil of the horfes, v/ifeh
all
all the coolnefs and gcntlenefs imaginable; imi. when you find that he begins to ride at feme com- mand, then put up to the other horfes, and if yoa find they ride at their eafe, and are hard held, then endeavour to draw them on fafter j but if you find their wind begin to rake hot, and that they want a fob, if your hof fe be in wind, and you have a loofe in your hand, keep them up to their fpeed till you come within three quarters of a mile of the end of the heat, and then give a loofe and pufli for it, and leave to fortune and the goodnefs of yourhorfe the event of your fuccefs.
Lafiiy^ when either your huntrng-matcb or the trial for the plate is ended, as foon as you have rubbed your horfe dry, cloth him up and ride him home,, and the flrft thing, give him the following drink to comfort him.
Beat the yolks of three eggs, and put them mto a pint and a half of fweet milk, then warm it luke- warm, and put to it three pennyworth of fafFron, and three fpoonfuls of fallad oil, and give it him ia a horn.
Having done this, drefshim fligbtly over with th« curry-comb, brufh, and woollen-cloth, and then bathe the place where the faddle ftood with warm fack, to prevent warbles ; and wafh the fpurring places with pifs and fait, and afterwards anoint them with turpentine and powder of yV/, mixed together j then litter the ftable very well, clothing him up as quick as polTible, and let him ftand for two hours.
Then feed him with rye-bread, after that with a good mafli, and give him his belly full of hay, and what corn and bread he will eat.
Then bathe his legsv/ell with urine and falt-petre, leave him corn in his locker, and fo let him relt till the next morning, at which time order him as before- ^iredcd in his days of reft*
Hqw
f %3
How to or3er a horfe for a match or phtf.
When you have matched your horfe, or defign t« put him in for a plare, you fliould conlider thaC you ought to referee a month at leafl, to draw his body perfedtly clean, and to refine his wind to that degree of perfection that is capable of being attained by art.
In the firft place, take an exa£i: view of the ftate of his body, bjth outwardly and inwardly, as whether he be /oiu or high in flefii, or whether he be dull and heavy when abroad, and if this has been caufed by too hard riding, or by means of fome greafe that has been diiTolved by hunting, and has not been removed hy fcouring.
If he zppezr JIuggiJh and melancholy from either of thefc cau'e«, then give him half an ounce of diapente in a pint of good old Malaga fack, which will both cleanfe his body and revive his fpirits.
Then for the firft week feed him continually with Iready oats, and filit leans ^ giving hiin fometimes the one and fometimes the other, according to what he likes beft, alwavs leaving him fome in his locker for him to eat at leifurewhen you are abfent j and when you i:eturn at your hours of feeding, take away what is left and -give him frefh, till you have made him wanton and playlul.
To this purpofe, take notice, that tho' you ride him every day mornirig and evening, on airing, and every other day on huncing, yet you are nol tofweac him, or put him to any violent labour, the defign of this weeic's ordering being to keep him in wind and breath, and to pi^ytm purftvenefs.
But take notice of this, that your oats, beans, and hreadf are now to be ordered after another manner than what they were before; for firft, the oats muii be well dried in the fun, and then put into a clean
r 70 ]
bag and foundly beat v/ith a flail or cudgel, till you think they are hulled, then take them out of the bag and winnow them clean, both from hulls and duft, and give them to your horfe as there is occafion.
After the fame manner muft you order your beans, feparating them from the hul!s, which are apt to breed the glut^ and muft either be thrown away, or given among chaff to fome more ordinary horfe.
And as for the Iread, which was only chipt before, now the cruft muft be cut clean off, and be otherwife difpofed of, it being hard of digeftion, and will be apt to heat and dry the horfe's body ; and befides, you muft make a finer bread than before, as follows.
Take two pecks of beans, and a peck of wheats and let them be ground together, but not too fine, to prevent too much bran being in the bread ; and drefs one peck of the meal through a fine range, an4 knead it up with new ale yeaft, and the whites of a dozen neW laid eggs, and bake this in a loaf by it- felf ; but drefs the reft of the meal through a boulter, and knead it only with ale and yeaft, and ufe it in all other points as the former : the peck loaf is to be given the horfe when you fet him, and the other at ordinary times.
Having treated of the condition of thofe horfcs which are melancholy and low of flefti, I fhall now fpeak cf thofe which are brifk and lively : If your horle be fo, that when you lead him out of the ftable he will leap and play about you, then you muft not only omit giving him the fcouring of fack and V/<7- pente^ but any other whatfoever, for there being n« foul humours, nor fuperfluous matter left in his body, for the phyfic to work upon, it will prey upon the ftrength of his body, and by that means weaken it
If your horfe be engaged in a hunting-match, you muft fweat him twice thi« week, but not by hunting
him
[ 71 3
him after the hare^hut by train-fcents^ (ince the former on this occafion may prove deceitful i for tho' the hounds (hould be very fwifr, yet the fcent being cold, the dogs will very often be at a fault, and by that means the horfc willhave many fobs: fo that when he comes to run train fcents in earneft, he will ex- pect eafe for his wind.
Therefoie lead your train-fcents with a dead cat, over fuch grounds as you are likely to run on, and beft agrees with the humour of your horfe, and alfo' chufe the fleetcft hounds you can get, and they will keep your horfe up to the height of his fpeed.
As to the number of irain-Jcents that you fhould ride at a time, that is to be ordered according to the match you are to run, or rather according to the ilrength of your horfe, and ability for performing his heats; for if you labour him beyond his ftrength, it wlH take him off his fpeed, weaken his limbs, and daunt his fpirit.
If you give him tco little exercife, it will render him liable to be purfive, and full of ill humours, as glut, t^c, and incline him to a habit of lazinefs, fo that when he comes to be put to labour beyond his ufual race, h€ will grow reftive and fettle, like a jade.
But fo far may be faid by way of dire(S^ion, that if you are to run eight irain-Jcmis^ and the flrait- courfe, more or lefs> you are to put him to fuch fe- vcre labour, not above twice in the whole month's keeping.
And if it be in the firil fortnight, it will be the better, for then he will have a v/hole fortnioht to recover his ftrengrh in again; and as for h's labour in his lait fortnight, let it be proportionate to his ftrength and wind, as fometimes half his tafk, and then three quarters of it.
Only
[ 7» ]
Only obfervc, that the laft trial you make in the firft fortnight, be a train-fccnt more than your match, for by that means you will find what he is able to do.
If you defign your horfe for a Plate^ let him take his heats aecording to this direction, only let him be on the place, that he may be acquainted with the ground ; and as for the hounds, you may omit them, as not being lied'to their fpeed, but that of your adverfary's horfe.
But as to the number of heats, let them be ac- cording to what the articles exadl; only obfervc, that as to the (harpnefs of them, they muft be regu- lated according to his ftrength, and the goodncfs of his wind.
And when you heat him, provide fome horfes upon thecourfe to run againfthimj this will quicken hts fpirits and encourage him, when he finds he caa command them at his pleafure.
And here you mu(i: obferve the fame rule, not to give the horfe a bloody heat for ten days or a fort- night, before the plate be to run for; and let the lall heat you give him before the day of trial be in all his cloths, and juft fkelp it over, which will imakc him run the next time the more vigoroufly, when he (hail be ftript naked, and feel the cold air pierce him.
During this month, and on his re ling days, and after his fweats on heating days, (if there be any oc- cafion for fweating him) you muft obferve the fame rules which have bsen given for the firft week of the third fortnighi's keeping, only you muft omit all fcourings but rye-bread and mafhes, fmce your horfe being in fo perfedl a ftate of body, has no need of any, except you fhall judge there is occafion, and that tiie horle proves thirfty, about eight or nine
o'clock.
t 73 ] .
o'clock at night, you may give him the following julep, to cool and quench his thirft.
Take two quarts of barley-water, three ounces of fyrup of vioUtSt two ounces of fyrup of iemom, and having mixed them together, give them the horfe to drink, and if he refufe, place it fo that he may not throw it down, and let it ftand by him all night.
During the laft fortnight you muft give him dried ©ats that have becii hulled by heating, and having walhed half aftrike of oats in the whites of a dozsri or twenty eggs, ftir them together, and let them lie all night to foak, and fprgad them abroad in the fun the next morning, till they are as dry as they were at.firft, and fogive them to your horfe, and v/hen thefe are fpent, prepare another baantity after the fame manner.
But if you find your horfe inclinable to be coftive, then give him oats wafbed in two or three whites of eggs and ale beaten together, to cool his body and keep it moift.
Give him not any mafh for the lafl week, only the harley-water before directed, but let him have his (ill of hay, till a day before he is to ride the w^/<:/?, when you muft give it him more fparingly, that he may have time to digeft that he has eaten, and then, and not before, you may muzzle him v/ith your cavcRbn ; and be.fure that day, and not till the morning he is led out, to feed him as much as poiTible, for fuch a day's labour will require fomething to maintain his ftrength.
Therefore in the morning before yo\3 are to lead out, givs him a toaft or two of white bread fteeped in fack, which will invigorate him ; and when you have c^o^e, lead him out into the field.
But if you are to run for 2. plate ^ which commonly
is not till three o'clock in the afternoon, ^hen by
all means have him out early in the morning air,
D that
[ 74 ]
that he may empty his body, and v;hen he is come in from airing, feed him with toafts in fack ; con- fidering that as too much fulnefs will endanger his wind, fo too long fading will caufefaintnefs.
When he has eaten what you thought fit to give lilm, put on his caveflbn, and having afterwards foundly chafed his kgs with picce-greafe and brandy warmed together, or train-oil (which likewife ought to be ufed daily at noon, for a week before thcnjaub^ or longer, if you fee caufe) ihake up his litter and ihut the liable up clofe, and take care that there is f?o noife made near him, and let him reft till the hour comes that he is to go out into the field.
Of MARES.
' /i ^are may be covered when (he is paffed two
/^ years old, though the beft time is after four
years old, when fhe will nourilh her colt beft ; and
"though ihe may breed till thirteen, yet when flie is paft ten, it does not do fo well, for commonly an ©Id mare's colt will be heavy in labour. The proper time for covering, is reckoned from the end of the firft quarter to the full moon, or at the full ; for thofe coirs will be ftronger and hardier of na- ture ; whereas 'tis obferved in thofe that are covered after the change, that they will be tender and nice : but before the mare is covered, (he fhould be taken into the houfe about fix weeks, and be well fed with good hay and oats, well fifted, to the end fh€ may have ftrength and feed to perform the office «f generation.
As for the manner of covering, (he muft be brought out into fomc broad place, and tied to a poft ; then bring out feme ftone jade to dally vv^ith fjer, tQ provoke her to appetite j after which let
the
f 75 ]
tihcfbUion be led but by two men, and let him leap her in the morning fafting, and when he is difmount- ing, let a pail of cold water be thrown upon her ihape, which by reafon of the coldnefs, will make her Ihrink in and trufs up her body, whereby flie is caufed to retain the feed the better -, then take away the ftallion, and let the mare be put out of the hear- ing of the horfe, and let her neither eat nor drink in four or five hours after, and then give her a maih and white water : You may know if fhe ftands to her covering, by her keeping a good fto- mach, and her not neighing at the fight of a horfe; fo likewife if (he does not pifs often, nor frequently ©pen and (hut her fhape ; or that her belly four days after covering be more gaunt, the hair more fleek andclofe to her fkin> and the like. Some there are who put the horfe and mare together into an empty houfe, for three or four nights, and take the horfe away in the morning and feed him well, but the mare sparingly, and efpecially they give her but little water.
Now as for the ordering the mare after coverIn<r, let her be kept to the fame diet as before, for three weeks or a month,, left the feed be impared before it be foTffied in the womb j and let her be kept fweet and clean, witcout any exercife, during three weeks or a month ; and in the houfe till mid-dnyy with her feet well pared, and with a thin pair of (hoes on : take her up again about the latter end of BepUmherj if not before, and keep her to the end ©f her foaling.
If (he cannot foal, hold her noftrils fo that (he cannot take her wind ; or if that will not do, take the qtianttty of a wallnut of madder^ difTolve it into a pint of ale, and give it warm to her j and in cafe (he cannot avoid her Secundme, then boil two or thfte handfulsof /^M«Win running- water, and put D 2 half
half a pint thereof in as much fack, or for want thereof, a pint of ftrong beer or ale, with a fourth part of fallad oil, mixed together, and give ut her it:kev/arm in her noftrils, and h Id them clofe for a good f(-ace ; or for want thereof, give her -good green wheat or rye, but thelaft is beft, and they are. as effetSlual ; and let her nor eat her clean for .that is very unwholefome, and will dry up her milk.
When ihe has foaled and licked her foal, milk and ilroke her before the colt fucks, which will both caufc her to bring down her milk and make it to iiiultiply, and keep it fo that it do not clod ; and in cal'e fhe becomes dry, boil as much milk as you can get from her with the leaves of lavender and JpiAe^ and bathe the udder with it warm ^ till it. be broken, and. the knobs and knots diilolved ^ her water now mud: be white water, which is bran put into water,.,and. give her fweet maflies ; and a month after iozlmg^^ ?et her have a ma(h..with (ome krim/f one. 2ind fiven in ir, v/hich will bC: a great prefervation to the colt,; -after which, if fhe be moderately laboured at plo>v QT harrov/, hoth fhe and the colt, will b^ the better, provided fhe be kept from raw meats while .fhe re- mams in the. ftable, - which will both -increafe her inilk and caufe her coJt to -thrive the better ; and €are muft be taken not to fuffcr the colt to fuck her when (he is hot, left thereby you furfeit the colt.
In cafe, you jire defirous nomare.fhould goijarren, in the month of July^ or in the beginning of.JuguJf, iTCt a mare or tv/o that have not been covered that vear before, and enforce them to be horfed ; when they (hall be ready .to be covered, you rauft turn fhem, with feme other horfe which you efteem not as your beft horfe, among your llud of manes, andfo he covering that mare or mares you turned Jn ;with iii-m into the ftud, (hail caufe the reft, of them, if ^riy of them have iigit conceived at their firft. covers
l77'l
sngs to conte to that horfe agarn ; wliereby yew ihall be fure to kc^p no mare barren all the year, but have a colt of every mare, though not of your beit horfe. You may fufFer your horfe to run amongll your mares three weeks or a month; but if you turn him into your (lud,. putting in no mare with him ready to be covered, ~he will at his firft entering beat all the mares, and perhaps hurt tho'e that had conceived before, and fo do more hurt than good.
-Some reckon the beft recipe to bring a mare in i^afon and make her retain, is to give her to eat, for the fpace of eight days before you bring her to the horfe, about two quarts of hemp-feed in the morr.- ing, and the fame at night; but if fhe refufes to eat it; mi-x with it a little bran or oats, or elfe let her faft for a whil-e , and if the ftallion eats alfo of it, -it will contribute much to generation.
It is a maxim, th-atamare fhould never be horfed while fhe is bringing up her foal, becaufe the foal t > which fhe is giving>fuck, as well as that in her bel!y.j will receive prejudice thereby, and the mar^ herfeif will be alfo fooner fpent ; but if you wculd have your mares covered, let it be fevsn or eight days after ihe has foaled, that (he may have time to cleanfe ; and if it may be conveni^-ntly done, do not give her the ftaliion till fhe defires him, and alfo incre^fe, by . all means poiJible, that pallion, by ftrong feeding, C5V.
For the producing of rnabs^ the mare mufb be brought in ieafon, and covered very, early in the morning, any day before rhe fourth day of the moon untiil it be full, but never in the increafe ; and thus fhe will not fail to bring forth a male colt.
Mares^ befides the many didenipers they are lia- MetoincommonAvith-horfes, and which will be found under their feveral names, hive fome others, peculiar to their kind only, of which we fhall fpeak briefly, and their cure. ■ If your mares be barren, D 3 ^oil
[78]
boil good f!ore of the herb agnus m the water (Kc drinks; or ftamp a good handful of leeks with four ©r five fpoonfuls of wine, to which put fome cantharidijti and ftrain them all together, with a fufficient quan- tity of water to ferve her two days together, by pouring the fanne into her nature, with a glifier-pipe made for that qurpofe ; and at three days end offeir the horfe to her, and if he covers her, wa(h her nature twice together with cold water, or take a little quantity of n'lirum^ fparrows dung, and tur- pentine, wrought together, and made likea ftirpa(» tory, and putting that into her nature, it will do.
If you would have her fruitful, boil good ftore of motherwort in the water (he drinks.
If fhe lofes her belly, which ihews a confumptlon of the womb, give her a quart of brine to drink, having //jz^^zt'^r/ boiled therein.
l{ through good keeping fhe forfakes her food, give her for two or three days together, a ball of l)utfer and agnus f^y^z*; chopped together.
If fhe be fubje<ft to caft her foal, keep her at grafs very warm, and once a week give her a good warm mafh of drink, v/hich fecretly knits beyond expcda* tion.
You are to obferve, that mares go with foal eleven months and as many days as thev are years old ; as for inffance, a mare of nine years old, will carry her -foal eleven months and nine days ; fo that you may fo order the covering of your mares, that their foals maybe brought forth, if ycu will, at fuch time PS there is abundandce of grafs. Sec Stallion and Colt.
Of Stallions.
A Stallion is an ungelt horfe, defigned for the covering of mares, ia order to propagate the fp€cif3i
and
[79]
when his ftones are taken away, and he Is gelt, h called a gelding.
Now in the chufing ftone-horfes, or ftallions fof liiares, you ought to take great care that they nei- ther have moon eyes, watery-eyes, blood -{hotteu- eyes, fplents, fpavins, curbs, nor, if polTible, any natural imperfection of any kind whacfoevcr ; for i^ they have, the colts will take theni hereditary froin their parents.
But let them be the beft, ableft, higheft fplrited* fair coloured, and fine ft {haped ; and a perfon (houlcJ Inform himfelf of all natural defe£ls in them, of which none are free.
As for his age, he ought not to be younger, to ^over a mare, than four years old, from which xlmx: forward he will beget colts till twenty.
Let the ftallion be fo high fed, as to be full of luft and vigour, and then brought to the place where the mares are ; takeoff his hinder fhoes, and let hirrv cover a mare in hand twice or thrice^ to keep him fober; then pull off his bridle, and turn him loof^ to the reft of the mares, which muft be in a conve-* nientclofe, with ftrong fences and good food, and there leave him till he has covered them all, fo that they will take horfe no more j by which time his. courage will be pretty well cooled.
Ten or twelve marcs are enough for one horfe ia the fame year ; it will be alfo necefiary to have fom« little flied or hovel in the field, lz which he may re- treat to defend him from the rftr.-:, fun, and winc^, which are very weakening to a iiorfe : let there be likewife a rack and manger to feed him in, during his covering-time, and it would not be amifs if one were to watch him during that time, for fear of any accident, and the better to know how ofte». he covers each maie*
When
[80 3
When he has cone his duty, take him away froQi the mares, and remove them into fome frefh pafture.
Take notice that when you would have mares covered, either in hand or otherwife, that both the jU! lion and mare ought to have the ^ame feeding, I'iz. if the horfe be at hay and oats, which are com- monly called hard meats, the mate fhonld be alfb at hard meat, othtrwife flie will not be fo nt to hold.
In the like manner, if the flallion beat grafs, yon Kiuft alfo put the maie to grafs
Thole mares which are in middling cafe, conceive- the moft eafily j whereas thofe that are very fat, hold wi'h great difriculry; thofe of them that are hot and in feafon, retain a great deal better ; their heat exciting the Oallion, who, on his part, performs the adion with greater vigour and ardour.
And when you cover a mare in hand, in order that, foe may the more certainly hold, let theflallion and the mare be fo placed in the flable, that they may fee €ach other, keeping them fo for fome time, which, will animate them both, and then they will hardly fail to generate.
For the ordering of a ftallion, fome give the fol- lowing inflru6lions.
Feed the f( all ion, for three months at leaft, before he is to cover, with good oat?, peafe, or beans, or with coarfe bread, and a little hay, but a good deal of wheat ilraw, carrying him twice a day out to water> walking him up and down for an hour after he has drank, but without making him fweat.
If the ftallion be not thus brought into wind be- fore be cover?, he will be in danger of becoming purfey, and broken winded ; and if he be not well fed, he Will not be able to perform his tafk, or at fecit the celts would be but pitiful and week ones ;
ai24
. - . . . c^'^l, . ..
•and though you ftiou Id take great care to nourrOl ' - him, yet you will take him in again very weak. ' If you put him to many mares, he will not ferve- ypu fo long, but his m^in and tail will fall away by reafon of poverty, and it will be a difficult matter to bring him to agood condition of body, againlt the year following. ' ..
He ought to havemaj^es according to his flrengthj as twelve or fifteen5;<)f at mt>ft not abb ve twenty.
* - ■ ' ■ Ml--
Of SXABXES;;
y At S to the fituation of a ftable, it fhould be in a * Xf^- good air, and upon hard, firm, and dry ground, , that inr the v/inter the horfe may come and go clean in and out; and, if it may be, it will be beftif it be lituated' upon an afcent, that the urine^ foulwater, , or any wef, may be conveyed awy by. trenches or ^nks>cat out for -that pur^ofe.*
By no means let there be anyhen-rooftsyhog-fties • or houfcs of eafement, or any other filthy fmeUs near- it, -for hen-dung or feathers fwaUoweJ, oftentimes > prove mortal, . and. the ill air of a jakes ■ fometimes caufes blind nefs; and the fin ell o<f fv/iner is apt to ^ , bteed'the /fln/«;.and there is no animal that delights : more in. cleaiilinefsj /lor is more; ofiended at- un>» wholefome favours than a. horfe.
Brick is bettef for building ftables than ftmcs the ?
latter being fubjedt to fv.^eating.in v/et weather, .and :
■ -thedampnefs and moiflure caufes rheums and ca- -
tarrhes-. : , .,. .. , ,
. Let the wall? beof a good fcoavenfent- thick nei^, at '
^lea-ft.a brioLand half oriwo brick ihjck^ both for the -
fake of fafety and warrrth in winter, and to defend >
him from being annoyed with the heat in fummer^ .
VV^hich would hinder his digeding his food.
It will be prpp.er to have windows toth on the ea^ and on the north fides, that he may have the benefit of the north air in fummer, and of themoming fun from the eaft in the winter. . ,
Let the windows be glazed, and if they be fafhed it will not only be the handfomer, but will be more convenient to let air in at pleafure; and let tliere be clofe wooden fhutters, that you may darken the liable in the middle of the day, which will incline the horfe to take his ricft as well in the day as in the fti^t. -.
That part of the floor on which the horfe is to ftand fhould be made of oaken planks, for they will be both eafier and warmer for the horfe to lie upon than ftones ; and be fure to lay them level, for if they are laid higher before than behind, (as they ge- nerally are in Inns and Horfe courfer's ftables, that their horfes may appear to more advantage in fta- ture) his hinder legs will fwell, and he never can lieeafily, becaufehishfnder paits will be ftill flip- ping down.
Lay the phnks crofs-ways,and not length-wayf> and fink a good trench underneath them, which may receive the urine through the holes bored in the planks^ and convey it into fome common receptacle.
Kaif^ the ground behind him even with the planks> that he may continually ftand upon a level , and let the floor behind hira be paved with fmall pebble j and be fure to let that part of the ftable where thcL racks {land be weil wainfcotted.
Place two rings at each fide of hisftali forhis hal- ter to run through, which fhould have a light woodea logger at the bottom of it, to poife it perpendicularly^ but not fo heavy as to tire the horfe, or to hinder him from eating. r
Sme recommed a dcav/er or locker made in,the: wainfcot partition^ rather thaa a iixt manger, for
I: 8'3]
Bim to eat His corn out of, which may be taken out to cleanfe at pleafure^
•• Some again difapprove of this^way of feeding,, thinking it may fpoil his cheft, and that his blowing^ upon his hay will make it naufeous to his pakte: but jothers again anfwer, that as to the fpoijing of hb cheil, it rather ftrengthcns it and makes it firm ; whereas on the contrary, the lifting of his head up high to the rack, will make him withy cragged. But the way before-mentioned he willfeed as he lies which willbe for his eafe. And as to the hay, that may be given him but by fmall quantities at a time ; and there will be this advantage in receiving his hay on the ground, the prone pofture will cleanfe hi^ head fromfheum or pofe, which he may happen by any ways to have gotten, and induce him to fneeze and throw out all manner of watery humours that may annoy his head.
If you have ftable room enough you may make partitions^ and at the head^ towards the manger, board them to that height that one horfe may not molefl or fmell t<> another, allowing each horfe room enough to turn about and lie down^ at plea-
fuf€^
One of the flails may be made convenient for your groom to lie in, in cafe of a match j or the fickv- nefs of a horfe;
Behind the horfes maybe made a range of prefies, with pegs to hang up faddles, bridles, ts'c. and fhelves for other utenfilSy pots for ointment, ^V.. '
Let the floor over the liable be cieled, whether you make it a granary, or a lodging room for your groom, that no duft may fall from it upon your horfes.
There are alfo other requifites, as dung-yard, a. pump, a conduit 5 and if fome pond, or tunning W^cr were near,, it wers better,.
of-
r u I
Of BOW LIN Cj.
THE firft and greateft cunning to Be obferveJ in bowling, is the right chufing your bowl> ■which muft be fuitable to the ground, you defign to run on. Thus for the clofe alleys your beft choice is the flat bowl. 2, For open grounds of ad vantage, the round byaffed bowl. 3. For green fwards that are plain and levil, the bowl that is as round as a ball.
The next thing that requires your care, is the chu- fing out your ground, and preventing the winding hangings, and many turning advantages of the fame, whether it be in open wide places, as bares and bowling-greens, or in clofe bowling alleys.
Laftly, have your judgment about you, to obferve and diftinguilh the filings, fallings, and advantages of the places where you bowl : have your wits about you, to avoid being rook-'d of your money j and" have your underftanding about you, to know your beft time and opportunity for this recreation ; and" finally, a ftudious care of your words and paiiions ; and then bowl away, and you may deferve, well hii'ue you bowled indeed.
I
CouYp.r.g wuh Greyhounds,
S a recreation in great efteem. with many gentle* men. It affords greater pleafure than hunting in fome refpe£l?. As, tirft, becaufe it is fooner ended. Secondly, if does not require fo much toil. Thirdly, the of^me for the rnofl part always in fight. Fourth- ly, in regard to the delicare qualities and fhapeof the greyhound.
There are three fevcral courfes with greyhounds,, z/z. at ihe deer, at the hare, and at the fox.
for the deer there are two forts of courfes, the one
ia
[85] m the paddock, and the other either In theforeft^or purlieu.
For the paddock, there muft be the greyhound, and the terrier, which is a kind of murrgrel grey- hound, whofe bufinefs is to drive away the deer be- fore the greyhounds are flipt, and moft ufually a brace or leaih are let flip 5 feldom more than tw3 braces.
Hare-Hunting..
THE heik way in this, is to go and find out one fitting, which is eafily done by walking crofs the lands, either ftubbis, fallow,, or corn, and caftiag your eye up and down 5 . for in the fummer feafon they frequent fuch places for fear of ticks, which are common in woods^; alfo the rain and the fail of the Jeaf offend them.
The reft of the year you muft beat up and down with. poles to ftart them out of their forms and re- treats, and fome hares will not ftir,. until they are almoft touched, and it it is a certain fign that fuch hares will make an excellent courfe.
If ahare fit near any clofe or covert, and have her head towards the fame with a fair field behind her, you may ride with as much company as you have be- twcer. her and the covert before fhe put up, and thtn (he is likely, to make her courfe towards- the eharnpaia, for fhe fe'dom takes the fame way that her head is, when ftie fits in her form.
When a hare is hrft flarted, you give her ground ©r law, which is commonly twelvefcore }ards or more, according to the ground wheie fhe fits, or clfe -you loofe much of your fport, by putting an end to it too foon i and it is very pkafant to fee the turnings
and
i 16 J
and windings, that the hare will make to fav€ herferfv which fometimes proves efFe£lual to her,
There are four forts of hares, i fome Jive in the- mountains, fome in the fields, fome in marfhes, fome every where, without any certain place of abode. The mounting hanszTQ the fwifteft, the field hares are j^pt io nimble, and thofe of the mar/her ?^xq the ilow- cti ; but the wandering W^i.are moft dangerous to» fblibw, for they are fo cunning in the ways and ma- ft€S of the fields, running up the bills and rocks, be- eaufe by cuftom they know- a nearer way, with ®th^ bricks, to theconfufion of the dogs,, and difcourage-* ment of the Hunters.
The hares of the mountains often exercife thenr- iclves in the vallies and plains, and through practice gLrow acquainted with the neareft ways to their forms, or conftant places of abode ; fo that when at any time they are hunted in the fields, fuch is their fubtll dodging, that they will dally with the huntf- ma-n till they feem, to be almoft taken, and: then on a fudden take the neareft way to the mountains, and (o- take fan£luary in the inaccellable places,, to which^ neither dogs nor horfes can or dare afcend.
Hares which frequent bufhes and brakes are not able to endure labour, nor are very fwift, becaufe of the pain in the feet, growing fat by means of idle- -Bef?,. and not ufing tbemfelves to running.
The /Ji>5«7r<^ being leaner of body, and oftner chafed, is naore difficultly taken, by reafon of her fingular agility ; for when fee begins her courfe, (he bounds up from the ground as if ffie flew, afterwards piffcs through all brambles,, over thick bufhes and hedges, with all expedition ; andif fhe cometh into deep grafs or corn, fhe eafily delivers herfelf and ilides through it, always holding up one ear, and tending it at pleafure^ to be the. moderator of hei?
Neiihej
C «7 }
Neither is flie fo improvident an<f prodigal of her ftrength, as to fpend it all in one courle, but (he has regard to the force of her purfuer, who if he be flow and fluggifh, (he is not profufe of her ftrength, nor ufes her utmoft fwiftnefs, but only advances gendy before the dogs, yet fafely from their clutches, re- ferving her greatert ftrength for the time of her great- eft neceflity, knowing ftie can out-rurt the dogs at her pleafure, and therefore will not ftrain hcrfelf more than flie is urged.
But if fhe be purlued by a dog thaTi: is fwifter than the reft, then fhe puts on with all the force fhe can, and having once left the hunters and dogs a great way behind her, ibe makes to forae little hill, or lifing ground, where ihe raifes herfelf upon her hinder legs, that thereby fhe may obferve how far" .©ff, or how near her purfuers are.
The younger hares, by reafon of their weak iimbs, tread heavier on the earth than the older and therefore leave the greater fcent behind them.
At a year old they run very fwiftly, and their fcent is ftronger in the woods than in the plain fields 5^ and if they lie down on the earth (as they love to do) in red fallow grounds, they are eafily defcried.
Their footfteps in winter are more apparent tlian ;in fummer, becaufe as the nights are longer, they travel farther j neither do they fcent in winter morn- ings fo foon as it is day, till the froft Is a little thawed; but efpecially their footfteps are uncertain at tlie full of the moon, for then they leap^ and play together, fcattering or puting out their fcent or fa- vour ; and in the fpring time alfo, when they do engender, they confound one another's footfteps by multitudes.
Hares and rabbits are mifchievous to nurferiesand newly planted orchards, by peeling off the bark of the plants i for the prevention of which fome bind ropes
abj^ut
about the trees to a fufficient height; {omediuh thenr* with tar, which being of itfelf hurtful to yourrg: plants, the mifchief is prevented by mixing with it any kind of greafe, and boiling it over a fife, fo as both may incorporate J then with a brufh or little- broom, daub over the ilem of the tree as high as a rabbit or hare can reach ;do this in November^ and it will fecure the trees for that whole year, it being . in the winter^time^^only in which they feed upon the bark.
Alfo fome thin ftuff out of a houfe of ofiice, or the thick tempered with water, has been often ap- plied with "good fuccefs ; or the white wafli made ufe ,- of by plaifterers for whiting houfes, done once a ; year' over the trees with a brufh, will preferve them -. frcm hares, deers, and other animals.
As for iuch hares as are bred in v/arrens, the' wai*- reners have a crafty device to fatten them^ which ? has been found by experience to be effe6lual ; and that is, by putting wax into their ears to make them < d^af, and then turning them into the place where - they are to feed, where, being freed from the fear of i hounds, and for want of hearingj they grow fat before others of their kind.
It is generally believed, that a hare naturally knows > the change of weather from one twenty-four hours > to another.
When {he goe5 to her form, fhe will ftiiFer the dew to touch her as little as {he can, but takes the : highways and beaten paths : again when {he rifes cutof her form, if ihe^ couches her ears and fcut, , and runs not very fait at firit, it is an infallible fign ihat (he is oW and crafty.
They go to buck^commonly in ydnuary^ Fehruarj^ . 5nd Marck^-^Vi^ fometimea all the- warm months 5. foniecimes fecking the buck at fe^en or ei^bt miMs
diflsai; :
( 89 3
diftant from the place they ufually (it at^ follcrwliig the highways, ^c.
To diftinguifti a male hare from the female, you may know him as you hunt him to his form, by his beating the hard highways : healfo feeds farther out in the plains, and makes his doublings and croff.ngs much wider, and. of greater compafs than the female doth ; whereas the female will keep clofe by fome covert fide, turning and winding in the bulhes like a coney ; and if flie goes to relief in the corn fields^, ihe feldom croiTes over the furrow, but follows them along, flaying upon the thickcft tufts of corn to feed.
You may likewifeknowabuckat his rifing out of his form, by his hinder parts, which are more upon the whitifh, and his fhouiders, before he rifes, wiJl be redder than the doe's, having fome loofs long hairs growing on them^
Again, his head is fhorter and better trufied, his hairs about his lips longer, and his ears fhorter and more grey : the hair upon the female's chin are of a. blackiffi gr«y..
And befides, when hounds hunt a female hare, fhe will ufe more crofling and doubling, feldom making out end- ways before the hounds : v/hereas the mak a6ts contrarily^ for having once made a turn or two about his form,, then farewell hounds, for he wiU frequently lead them-, five or fix miles before ever he will turn his head.
When you fee that your hounds have found where a hare hath pafied to relief upon the highway fide, and hath much doubled andcrofTsd upon dry places, and never much broken out nor relieved in the corn, it is a fign ihe is but lately come thither, and then commonly fhe will flay upon fome high place to look about her, and to chufe out a place to form in, which ihe will be loth to. part with^
[ 9« ]
The craft and fubiilty of aKk-BlE^
As of all chaccs the hate makes the grcatcil paf- timeand pleafurc, (o it is a great delight and fatis- fadion to fee the craft of this fmall animal for her felf-prefervation.
And the better to underhand them, confider what weather it is j if it is rainy, then the hare will hold the highways more than at any other time, and if fhe come to the fide of any young grove or fpring* fhe will fcarcely enter, butfquat down by the fide of it till the hounds have overfhot her, and then (he will return, the very fame way (he came, to the place from whence fhe was ftarted, and will not go by the way into any covert, for fear of the wet and dew that hangs upon the boughs.
In this cafe the huntfman ought to ftay an hundred paces before he comes to the v/ood-fide, by v/hich means he will perceive whether fhe return as afore- laid, which if (he do, hemuft halloo in the hounds, and call them back, and that prefently, that th« hounds may not think it the counter fhe came firft.
The next thing that is to be obferved, is the place where the hare fits, and upon what wind flie makes her form, either upon the north or (buth wind ; (he will not willingly run into the wind, but run up on a fide, or down the wind ; but if (he form* in the water, itisafign (he is foul and meafled : if you hunt fuch a one, have a fpecial regard all the day to the brook-fidcs, for there, and near plafhes, (he will make all her croflings, doublings, ^^r.
Some hares, have been fo crafty, that as foon as^ they have heard the found of the horn, they would inftantly ftart out of their form, though it was the diftance of a quarter of a mile, and go and fwim in fome pool, and reft upon fome ru(h bed in the midft Qi it, and would not (tir from thence till they have
heaii
C 51 3
heard the horn again, and then have ftartcd out again, fwimming to land, and have flood up before the hounds four hours before they could kill them, fwimming and ufingall fubtilties and croiRngs in the v/ater.
Nay, fuch is the natural craft an^fubtilty ofa hare, that fometimes after (he has been hunted three hours, (he Will itart a frcfii hare, and fquat into the fame form.
Others having been hunted a confide rable time, will creep under the door of a fheep-coat, and there hide themfelves among the (heep, or when they have been hard hunted, will run in among a flock of iheep, and will by no means be gotten out from among * them, till the hounds are coupled up and the (heep driven into their pens.
Some of them (and that feems fomewhat (Irange) will take the ground like a coney, and that is called, .£oing io the vault.
Some hares will go up one fide of the hedge and come down the other, the thicknefs of the hedge being the only diftance between the courfes.
A hare that has beeji forely hunted, has got upoa a quick-fet hedge, and ran a good way upon the top thereof, and then leap'd ofF upon the ground.
And they will frequently betake themfelves to furz- buflies, and will leap from the one to the other, whereby the hounds are frequently in default.
Some affirm. that a hare^ after fhe has been hunted two hours or more, has at length, to fave herfelf, got upon an old wall, fix foot high from the ground, and hid herfelf in a hole that was made for fcaffbld- ing ; and that fome hares have fwam over the rivers Trent and Severn,
A hare is fuppofed not to live above fevcn years at the mofl, efpecially the bucks, and if a buck and a doe fliall keep oae quarter together, they will nevier
fuffer
[ 92 I
fii ffcr any ftrange^^r^ to fit with them; and there fore- it is faid byway of proverb, " the more you hurit, the more hares you fha^l have : becaufe when you have killed one /:/(3r^3 another will come and pofTefs ms^ form. . ^ ►
A hare hath "a gfeafer fcent, and; is more eagerly hunted by th^ hountJ's/when fhe feeds and relieves upon green corn, than at any other time in the year^ and yet there are fome hares that naturally give a greater fcent than others, as the large weed hansr and fuch as are foul and meaffed keep near to the waters: but the fmall \t^ hare, which is- not much bigger than a coney, is neither of fo ftiong a (cent, nor fo eagerly hunted.
The females are more crafty and politic than the males, they double and turn (horter than they, . which is unpleafant to the hounds ffor it is trouble^ fome to them to turn fo often, delighting more in an end-way chace, running with all' their force : for thofe ^^r^-j which double and c'rofs fo often, it is requifite at default, to cafl the greater compafs about,, when you beat to make it out; for fo you wiU find all her fubtilties, and yet need not ftick upon any. of them, but only where fhe went on forward : by this means you will abate her force, and conipel her to need doubiing and crofiing.
How to mUr Hounds to a H^^RE.
Let the Huntfman. be fure in the firft place toraake them very well acquainted v/ith himfeif and his voice, and let them underftand the horn^ which he fhould never blow but when there is good caufe for it.
When you enter a young kennel of hounds, have a fpecial regard to the country where you make the fia-ft quarry,, for fo they are like to fucceed accord- ingly ,i. fiQce^their -being entered, firft in -a. pJain and
champaia .
[93]
champain couiitry... will cvake them ever after de- light more to hunt therein than elfewhere ; and it is the fanne with the coverts.
The beft reafon to enter yoan^ hbtinds, is in Sep^ tember and Odoher^ for then the weather is temperate and neither too hot nor too ^l<ivand ttils is thefea- fon to find young hares til at have never 'J^een hunted, which. are filly, and ignorant of the politic croflings^ doublings,- ^^. of their fires, running commonly end- ways, frequently fquatting, and as often ftarting ; by which encouragemefit the hounds ar« the better entered. '
, Some hares hold the high -beaten ways only, where the hounds can have no fcent 5 therefore when the Huntfman finds his hounds at a defaultin the high- way, ilet him hunt on until he -find where the hare- hath brokeni from the highway, or hath found fame dale or frefh place where the hounds may recover - ii:ent, looking^narrowly on the ground as he goes, to fee to find the footing or pricking of the hare,
'There are other p'aces.wherein a hound can find no fcent; and that is, in fat and rotten ground,, which flicks to the feet of the W^, and this is called carrying, 2Lnd fo.oLcon^equenceihe leaves no fcent behind her.
There are alfo certain months in the year in which abound caafind no- fcent, and that is in thefpring- time, by Eeafan of the fi^agrant fcent of flowers, an4^^ the like.
But avoid hunting in hard frofly weather as much
as you can, for that wilH)e apt to furbate or founder
;your hounds, and caufe them to lofe their claws; be-
jfrdes, at that time ^ hare runs better than at other
times, the folesjcf her feet being hairj.
mm-
[94 1
IVhat time of the year is left for Hare hunting y hoio
U find her ^fiart her^ and chafe her.
The bcft time to begin hare huntings is about the middle of Septewper^ and to end towards the latter end of" February y left you deftroy the early brood of leverets.
And befides, when the winter comes on, the moiftncfs and coolnerfs of the earth increafcs, which is agreeable to the nature of the hounds^ and very acceptable, they not liking extremes either of hot or cold weather.
Thofe hounds that are two years old atid upwards, may be exercifed three times a week ; and the hunt- ing fo often will do them good, provided they be well fed ; and they may be kept the greateft part of the day, both to try their ftouinefs, and to make them itout. ^
If any hound (hall have found the trail of a hare^^ when fee hath relieved that night, the Huntfmani ought not to be toohafty, but let the hounds make it themfelves ; and when he perceives that they be* gin to draw in together, and to call on freihly,thea he ought to encourage them, efpecially that hound which hunteth beft, frequently calling him by hisJ Dame.
Here you may take notice, that a hare leaveth bet-- ter fcentwhenfhc goes torelief than when ihe gocth towards her form ; for when fhe relieves in the field, ihe coueheth her body low upon the ground, pafling often over one piece of ground, to find where the beft. food lies, and thus leaveth the beft fccnt, croffing alfo fometimes j befides, when fhe goes to her form -ihe commonly takes the highways, doubling, crof- fmg, and leaping as lightly as (he can ; in which place, the hounds can have no fcent by reafon of the \\x^y.^c, and yet ihey will fquat by the fides of
high
[ 95 3
highways,, and therefore let the huntfmah beat very well the fides of thofe highways.
Now having found where a hare hath relieved in fome pafture or corn-field, you muft then confideii the fcafon of the year, and what weather it is 5 for if it be in the fpring-time or fumroer, a hare will not then fit in bulhes, becaufe they are frequently infefted with pifmires, fnakes and adders 5 but will fit in corn-fields and open places.
In the winter- time> they fit near towns and vil- lages, in tufts of thorns and brambles, cfpecially when the wind is northerly or foutherly.
According to the feafon and nature of the plac« where the hare is accuftomed to fit, there beat with your hounds, and ftart her ; which is much better fport than trailing of her from her relief to her form.
After the hare has been flarted, and is on foot, then ftep in where you faw her pafs, and halloo in your hounds, until they have all undertaken it, and go on with it in full cry j then rcchcat to them with your horn, following fair and foftly at firft, making not too much noife either with horn or voice ; for at the firft, hounds are apt to overfboot the chacc through too much heat.
But when they have run th€ fpace of an hour, and you fee the hounds are well in with it, and ftick well upon it, then you may come in nearer with the hounds, becaufe by that time their heat will be cooled, and they will hunt more foberly.
But, above all things, mark the firft doubling, which muft be your dircdlion for the whole day ; for all the doublings that fhe (hall make afterwards will hz like the former, and according to the polices that you fhall fee her ufe, and the place where you hunt, you muft make your compaffes great or little, long or ihort, to help the defaults, always feeking the moifteft
and
[96 3
aad mod coawnodious places for the hounds to fcent in.
To conclude; thofe who delight in hunting the hare, muft rife early, left they be deprived of the fcent of her foot-fteps, by which means the dogs will be in- capacitated to follow their game ; for the nature of the fcent is fuch that it will not remain fo long, but iaddenly in a manner every hourvaniiheth away,
The laws ohferved In courjlng the H ar e ,
1. That he that is chofen Fewterer, or that lets looTe the greyhounds, (hall receive the greyhounds matched to run together into his leafh as foon as he comesintothefield,and follow nexttothehare-finder^ or he who is to ftart rhe'hare until he come unto the form, and no horfeman or footman is to go befor.i^, or on any fide but dire£):ly behind, for the fpace of about forty yards.
2. You ought to courfe a hare with no more than a brace of greyhounds.
3. T-he hare- finder ought to give the hare three fo-hoes before he put her from her form or feat, to the end the dogs may^aze about, and attend her flatting.
4. They ought to have twelve fcore yards law before the dogs are loo fed, unlefs there be any danger of lofing her.
5. That dog that gives the firft turri, if after that tiiere be neither cote, flip, or wrench, Jie wins the wager.
6. If one dog gives the firft turn, and the othec bears the hare, he that bears the hare fhall win the wager.
7. A go oy, or bearing the hare, is accounted equivalent to two turns.
8. If neither dog turn the hare, he that leads laft to the covert wms*
Q. If
T 97 }
9. If one dog turn the hare, ferves himfejf, and turns her again, it is as much as a cote, and a cote is efteemed two turns.
10. If ail the courfe be equal, he that bears the hare fhall win ; and if he be not born, the courie fhall be adjudged dead.
11. If a dog take fall in his courfe, and yet perform his part, he may challenge the advantage of -a turn more than he gave.
12. If a dog turn the hare, ferve himfelf, and give divers cotes, and yet in the end ftand ftill in ths fieldj the other dog, if he turns home to the coverts, although he gives no turn, (hall be adjudged to win, the wager.
13. If by misfortune, a dog be rid over in his courfe the courfe is void, and to fay the truth, he that did the mifchief ought to make reparation fcr the da-
14. If a dog give the tirH and lafl turn, and there*^ be no other advantage becwixt them, he that gives the odd turn (hall win.
;' 15. A cote is when the greyhound goeth end-ways by -his fellow, and gives the hare a turn.
1 6. A cote ferves for two turns, and two trippings or jerkins for a cote ; and if (he turneth not quite about (he only wrencheth.
17. if there be no cotes given between a brace of greyhounds but that one of them ferves the other at turning : then he that gives the hare rnoft turns wins the wager ; and if one gives as many turns as the other, then he that beareth the hare v/ins the wager.
18. Sometimes the hares doih not turn but wrench ; for (he is not properly faid to turn, except (he turn as it were round, and two wrenches (land for a turn.
19. He that comes in firft to the death of the hare, takes her up, and faves hef from breaking,
E chcnfticcm
[ 98 3
chtrifcth the dogs, and cleanfes their mouths from the wool, is adjudged to have the hair for his pains. 20, Thofe that are judges of the leafh, mutt give their judgment prefently before they depart out of ihe field.
Courfmg the FOX.
IN courfmg a fox, no other art is required than ftandingclofe, and on a clear wind on the outfide of fome grovtj, where you are to expe£l his coming out, and then give him head enough, otherwife he v/ill turn back to the covert : for the flowed grey- hound will be fwift enough to overtalce him ; and all the hazard of this courfe is the fpoiling your dog by the fox, v/hich oftentimes happens ; and for this reafon, you fhould not run any that are worth much at this chafe ; but fuch tliat ;are hard hittcn do^s that will ieiz.e any thing.
Fox Hunting.
Thefhapeand proporion of this beaft is (o well "known, being fo commoii, that it is necdlefs to de- scribe him.
flis nature is in many refpeiSls like that of a wolf, for they bring as many cubs at a litter the one as the other ; but in this they difFer^ the fox littering deep iinder the ground, but the wolf doth not.
A bitch fox is very diiRcult to be taken when ibe is braaged and with cub, for then fhe wijl lie near l\er burrow, into which fhe runs, upon hearing the jeafl noife: and indeed at any time it is fomewhat difficult ; for the fox (and fo the v/oU) is a very fub- tle creature. -r r u
Fox-hunting is a very pleafant exercife, tor by rea- ioaofnisftTongjhotfcentj he maiccs an excellent
cry :
{99,]
try : and as his fcent is hotted at hand, (o it diesthi fooneft,
An^ befides, he never flies far before the hounds, trufting not to his legs, ftrength, or champaign grounds, but ftrongeft coverts. When he can no longer lUnd before the ground, he then taketh earth, and muft bedug out. " ' '
If greyhounds courfe him on a plain, his lafl re- Juge is to pifs on his tail, and flap it in their faces a? they come near him; and fometimes fquirting his thicker excrements upon them, to make them give over the courfe or purfuit,
. . When a bitch fox goes a clicketting and feeking for a dog, fhe cries with a hollow voice, not unlike the howling of a mad dog, and in the fame manner £he cries when (lie mifles any of her cubs ; but never makes any cry at all when (he is killing, but defends herfelf to the laft gafp.
A fox will prey upon any thing He can overcome^ and will feed upon any fort of carrion : but their dain- ties, and the food they mo/l delight in, is poultry.
They are very inju<rious an\3 deRructive to coiicy-' warrens, and will fometimes kill hares by d<iceit and fubtilty, but not by fwift running.
The fox is taken with hounds, grey-Iiounds, ter* riers, nets and gins.
For Hunting above ground.
To hunt a fox with hounds, you mufldraw about groves, thickets, and buflies, near villages : for in fuch places he lurks to prey upon poultry, &c. but if you can find one, it will be necefTary to ftop up his earth the night before you intend to hunt, and that about midnight, for then he goes out to prey ; and this muft be done by laying two white ilicks acrofs in his way, which will make him imagine ic E 2 ;0
[ 100 3 fo be fome gin or trap laid for him; or elfe they may be flopped up clofe with black thorns and earth to- gether.
The beft hunting a fox above groundj is in7<7-* /iuciry, February^ and March ^ for then you mall beft fee your hounds hunting, and beft find his earthing; and befides, at thofe times the fox's (kin is beil in feafon.
Again,, the hounds hunt the fox beft in the coldeft weatjier, becaufe he leave th a very ftrong fcent be- hind him ; yet in cold weather it chills fafleft.
At firft only caft off your fure finders, and as the drag mends, fo add more as you dare truft them ; livoid cafting off too many hounds at once, becaufe woods and coverts are full of fundry chaces^ imd fo you ;nay engage them in too many at one time.
Let lucb as you caft off at firll; be old ftauncfi hounds which are fure, and if you hear fuch a hound call on merrily, you may caft offfome others to him, and when ihey run it on the full cry, caft off" the reft, and thus you (hall compleat your paftime.
The words of comfort aie the fame which areiifed Sn other chaces, attended with the fame hallooings, and other ceremonies.
The hounds fhouldte left to kill the fox them- feives, and to worry and tear him as much as they pleafe : fome hounds will eat him with eagernefs. '
When he is dead, hang him at the end of a pike- flafF, and halloo In all your hounds to bay him ; but reward them not with any thing belonging tp^ the fox ; for it is not good^^ neither will the hounds ia common eat it.
Of HuNTINQ a Fox under ground.
If in cafe a fox does fo far efcape as to earth, i:ountrymen muft be got together with fhovels,
•fpad©6,
1 101 i
fpades, mattocks, pickaxes, &<:. to dig him outy if they think the'earth not too great.
They make their earths as near as they can hi ground that is hard to dig, as in clay, ftony ground, or amongft the roots of trees ; and their earths have commonly but one hole ;^ and that is ftraight a long way in before you come at their couch.
Sometimes craftily they take poffeflion of a badger*s old burrow, which hath a variety of chambers, holes and angles.
Now to facilitate this way of hunting the fox : the huntfman muft be provided with one or two ter- riers to put into the earth after him, that is to fix him into an angle : for the earth often confifts of many angles : the ufe of the terrier is to know where he lies, for as foon as he finds him he continues bay- ing or barking, fo that which way the noife is heard that way dig to him.
'' However, I Ihall here adJ, that in the firft place ,you .mult have, fuch as are able to dig, fo your ter- riers muO: be garniOied with belis hung in collars, to make the fox boh the fooner j. befides, the collaris will be feme defence to the terriers.
The inftruments to dig withai are thefe ; a (harp pointed fpade, which ferves to begin the trench, where the ground is hardefl, as broader tools will not fo well enter ; the round hollowed fpade, whicli is ufeful to dig among roots, having very fharp edges ; the broad flat fpade to dig withal, when the trench has been pretty v.^ell opened, and the ground fbfter 5 mattocks and pickaxes to dig in hard gioun J, where a fpade will do but little fervice i the coat rake to cleanfe the hole, and to keep it from flopping op ; clamps, wherewith you may take either fox Oil badger out alive,, to make fport with afterwards. "'
Aivi
t J02 ] And it would be very convenient to4iave a pail of water to refrefh your tarriers with, after they are c^me out of the earth to lake breath.
0/ D O G S.
AS their is no country in the world where there is not plenty of dogs, fo no animals can boaft of a greater variety, boih in kind and fhapc ; fome being for buck, others for bear, bull, boar, and fome for hare, coney and hedge-hog, while others £re for other ufes, according to their various natures, properties and kinds ; neither are the ufes and kind* of them fo general, but iheir biinging up is alfo as ■ €a(y^ there being no great regard to be had as to their food, for they will eat any thing bu^t the fiefh of their own fpecies, which cannot be fo dfefFcd by the art of man, but they will find out by their fmeHing,and fo avoid k.
A black hound is not to be defpifed, efpecially if marked with white, and not red fpots ; feeing this whitenefs proceeds from a flegmatic conilitution, v/hich hinders him from forgetting the lefTon he is taught, and makes him obedient ; whereas dogs tliat have red fpots are for the moft part very fiery, and hard to be managed, by reafon of the bilious hu- mour that prevails, and caufes this irregularity with^ in them : and therefore a black dog with white fpots is valuable, being ufually hardy enough, will hunt well, is itrongand fwift, and holds out a long time : he v/ill not forfake the thace, and when you are beating the water for fport, he will not be frighted at it : and laftly, he is the more efteemed, becaufe thcfe diflempers incident to dogs, feldom befal him.
There are fome grey coloured dogs that are good, and others you ought n©t to meddle with -, that is,
moDgreh
[103]
mongrels, which come from a hound bitch that ha? been lined by a dog of another kind, or from a bitch of another kind, that has been lined by a hound : hounds cannot be good if they do not intirely retain the nature that is peculiar to them ; and v/hen they do, grey dogs are to be coveted, becaufe they are cunning, never faulter, and grow not difcouraged in the queft.
Yellow dogs, are thofe which have red fpots, in- clining to brown ; and as choler is the moft predo- minant humour in this animal, fo he is found to be of a giddy nature, and impatient, when the bead he follows makes turns, feeing he ftill runs forwards ta find him, which is a great fault ; and thcrefv)re they are feldom made ufe of to hunt any other than the wolf, or fuch black beafls as are rarely inclined to turnings : they are too f\^nrt, open but very little,: efpecially in very hot weather ; they are naturallj' impatient, and therefore hard to be taught, as they are uneafy under corredtion-.
Oppofite to the deep mouthed or fouthern hound,. are the long and flender hounds, called the^^^r, or northe-rn hound ; which are very fwift, as not being of fo heavy a body, nor having f© large ears : thefe^ will exercife your horfes, and try their ftrengthi .they are proper for open, level, and champaign countries, where they may run in view, and full fpeed ; for they will hunt more by the eye than h\^ the nofe, and will run down a hare in an hour, and fometimes fooner: but the fox v/iil" exercife thcni longer and better.
Between thefe two extremes there are a middle fort of dogs, which partake of both their qualiiies as to ftrength and fwiftnefs, in a reafonable proportion : they are generally brtd by croffing the ftrains, and are excellenit in fpch countries as are mixed, viz>» fjome mountains, fome inclofures, fome pkina aiid E 4 fome
[ I04 ] fome woodlands ; for they will go through thick and thin, neither need they be helped over hedges, as the huntfmen are often forced to do by others.
A true, right fliaped, deep-mouthed hound, fhould have a round, thickhead, wide noftrils, open and wide upwards, his ears large and thin, hanging lower than his chops, the fleeces of his upper lip fhould be longer than thofe of his nether-chops, the € hime of his back great and thick, ftrait and long, and rather bending out than inclining in j his thighs weil trufied, his haunches large, his fillets round and large, his tail or ftern flrong fet on, waxing taper- wife tov/ards the top, his hair under his belly rough and long, his legs large and lean, his feet dry aiid h.ud> with ftrong claws and high knuckles : in the wh-Ie, he ought to be of (o juft a fymmetry, that when he ftands level, you may not difcern v/hith is highell, ^ fore or hinder parts.
For the northern ox Jieet houndy his head and nofe ought to be flender and longer, his back broad, his liclly gaunt, his joints long, and his ears thicker and Ihorcer ; in a word, he is in all parts flender made, and framed after the mould of a greyhound.
By croiling thofe breeds, as before obferved, you mav bring your kennel to fuch a compofition as you think fit, every man's fancy being to be preferred j aiid it is a well known faying.
So many men^ jo mauy tninds ; So many hounds^ fo many kinds*
Though I fhall refer the reader to the difeafes in- cident to dogs, under their refpe£live heads, yet their being b tien or flung by fome venomous creatures, and others -being not fo eafily reducible to an article by itfelf, it (hall be added here : and v/hen they are iiung by fooie adder, or other infedt ot that nature.
- [105 J i3^pu= .iftuft take an handful of the herb crofs-worfy *g<:ntfan, and as much rue, the fame quantity of 'Spanifli pepper, thin Broth, ends of broom and mint,- of all an equal quantity; when this is done,, take fome white wine, and make a decoction of the whole, letting it boil for an hour in a pot ; then flraiii the \vhole, into which put an ounce of difTolved trea- cle, and' let the dog fwallow it, and obferve to wafh • the bite therewith : if a dog is bitten by a fox, anoint It v/ith oil wherein you have boiled fome rue and worms.
Of DbG-MADNESSi
Dog-madnefs is a diftemper very common among all' forts of dogs ; eafy to be prevented, but hard to be cured : there are no lefs than feven forts of madnefs,. amongft which fome are efteemed incurable.
The fymptoms of this difeafe are many, and eafily 4ifcerned ;- when any dog feparates himfelf contrary to his former ufe, becornes melancholy, or droops his head, forbears eating, and as he runs fnatches at everything; if he often looks upv/ards, and tbathij ftern at his fetting on be a little ere£^, and the relt hanging down ; if his eyes be red, his breath ftrong,, his voice hoarfe, and that he drivels and foams at the mouth, you may be aflured He has this diftemper. .
The feven forts^ of madnefs ate as as follow : of Which the two firft are incurable, viz. the hot burning' fnadnefsy and running madnejs \ they are both very dangerous; for all things they bite and draw bloocf from, will have the fame diftemper; they generally' feize on all they meet with, but chiefly on dogs :; their pain is fo great,, it foon kills them. The five" curable mad nefles are ::
Steeping madnefs:^ To called' from the dog's greaC- drowiinefs, and almoft continual fleeping; and iHii- h cau/^d by the4ittle worms that breed i* the moutW ' ■' E 4 of
of the ftomach, from c6rrupt humours, vapours, and fumes which a fee nd to his h^ad: for cure of which* take fix ounces ofthe juide Of wormwood, two Quncesr of the powder of hariihbm burnt, and two drams ol" agaric ; mix all thefe together in a little white wine, iand give it the dog to drink in a drenching horn.
Dumbmadnejs lies alfo ih the blood, and caufes the dog not to feed, but to hold his mouth always wide open, frequently putting his feet to his mouth, as if he had a bone in his throat : to cure this, talce the juice of black hellebore, the juice o^ fpatula'putrtday and of rue; of each four ounces : ftrain them well, and put thereto two drams of unprepared fcammony^ and being mixed well together, put it down the dog's throat with a drenching horn, keeping his head up- for fome time, left he caft it out again ^ then bleect him in the mouthy by cutting two or three veins iii his gums. _ '
Lank madnefs is fo called, by reafon of the dog'^^ Jeannefs and pining away : for cuie give them * purge as before dire61ed, and alfo bleed them: but ibme fay there is no cure for it.
Rheumatic, or fiavering madnefs^ occafions the dog'* head to fwell, his..eyes to look yellow, and he will be always ilaveiing and drivelling at the mouth ; to- cure which, take four ounces of the powder of the roots of polipody of the oak, fix oiinces of the j,u,ice- of fennel roots, with the like quantity of the root^ of miflctce, and four ounces of the juice of ivy ;: bail all thefe together in white wine, and give it to the dog as hot as he can drink it,, in a drenching' horn.
TaWtng madnefs U fb termed becaufe it lies in the iSog'sheacJ, and makes them reel as they go^ and to* fall down : for cure, take four ounces of the juice pf briony, and^he ia.iie quantity of the juice of peony^,.
[ I07 ]
with four drams of ftavefacre pulverized ; .mix thefe together, and give it to the dog in a drenching horn 5 aho let him blood in the ears, and in ihe two veins that com^ down his fhoulders ; and indeed bleeding. is neceffary for all forts of madnefs in dogs.
To prevent dogs from being mad that are bitten- by mad dogs,, that is done by bathing them ; in or- der to which take a barrel or bucking tub f^Upf wa-^ ter, into which put about a bufliel and a h^liof^Sooty. whifih muft be ftirred well, that it may Ve di/rQ>jved j. then put in the dog that is bitten, and plunge hirri' over head and ears feven or eight times tnerein,. and' it will prevent his being mad ', but he fliould alfo be blooded.
When dogs happen to be bit as aforefaid,' there is- nothing better than their licking the place with their own tongues, if ihey can reach it ; if not, then let it: be wafhed with butter and vinegar made lukev/ami,^ and let it afterwards be anointed v/ith Fi7zzV^ turpen- tine : it is alfo good to pi fs upon the v/ound ; but:: above all, take the juice of the ftalks of ftrong to- bacco boiled in water, bathe the place therewith,, alfo wafh him in fea water, or water artificially made: fait: give him likewife a little mitbridate inwardly in two or three fpoonfuls of fack, and fo keep him- j^jparti and if you find him, after forae time, (lill to^ droop, the bed way is to hang him..
It may not be amifs to add what a late author-ad- vifes every one who keeps a dog, which is to have him wormed, and is a thing of little trouble and. charge, and what he believes wouLd prevent their being mad j and if they are, he isof opmion that it prevents their biting any other creature ; for he aflTerts- he had three dogs bit by mad dogs,, at three feverat times, that were wormed, and though they died mad,, yet they did not bite, nor do any mifchief to any thing he had ;- and having a; mind, to make a full ex-
perimeafc
.[108]
f eriment of, it, . he fhut one of them up in a kennej, and put to him a dog he did not value : that the mad dog would often run at the other dog to bite him ', but he found his tongue fo much fwelled in his mouth, that he could not make his teeth meet; that that dog, though he kept him with the mad dog till he died, yet he did not ail any thing, though he kept him two years afterwards, and gave him no remedies to pre- vent ahY harm, which might come from the biting of thWifiW dog.
TIIt^ 'bed remedy is this, take white hellebore and grate it with a grater to powder, which muft be Kiixed with butter, and given to the dog : the dofe TAud be proportioned to the flze of the dog; to a very fniall lap-dog you may give three grains, to a large maftifF fixteen grains, and fo in proportion to other fizes. He adds, that the beft way is, to give him a fmall quantity at firft, that it may be increafed as it is found to v/ork, or not to work ; but that as it is a ftrong vomit, and will make the dogs fick for a little time, fo they muft be kept warm that day i% is given them, and the next night, and they muft not have cold water ; but when it has done working, towards the afternoon give them fome warm broth, and the next morning give them the fame before you- Jet them out of the houfe or kennel.
Xhe fame author fays this is an extraordinary re- medy for the mange ; that he never knew three dofers fail of curing any dog that had it, except he had a furfelt with it; which if he had, let him blocd alfo,, and anoint him two or three times over with gun- fiowdcr and foap, beat it up together, and it will eure him.
Th
The choice of a Dog ^»^ Bitch for breeding goid Whelps.
The bitch ought to be one of a good kind, being ilrong and well-proportioned in all parts, having her •j-ibs and' flanks great and large.
Let the dog that lines her be of a good fair breed ; and let him be young, if you intend to have light and hot hounds ; for \^ the dog be old, the whelps will participate of his dull and heavy nature.
If your bitch Ao not grow proud of her own ac- cord fo foon as you would have her, you may make her fo by givfng her the following broth :
Boil two heads of garlick, hair a caftor's ftone, the juice of crefTes, and about twelve Spanijh flies, in a pipkin that holds a pint, together with feme mutton, and make broth of it 3 and give of this to the bitch tv/o or three times, and fhe will not fail to grow proud, and the fame pottage given ta the dog, v/ill make him inclinable to copulation.
After your bitch has been lined and is with puppy, you muft not let her hunt, for that will be the way 10 make her eaft her whelps j but let her walk up and down unconfined in the houfe and court : never Pocking her up in her kennel j for fhe is then im- patient of food, and therefore you mjft make her fome hot broth once a day.
If you v/ould fpay your bitch, it muft be done be- ^fore (he has ever had a litter of whelps ; and in fpay- ing her take not away all the roots and ftrings of the veins ; for if you do,: it will prejudice her reins, and hinder her fwiftnefs ever after : but by leavingfome behind, it will make her much the flronger, and more hardy.
But by no means do not fpay her while fhe I*
proud, for that vdli endanger her life : but you may
. . do
[ iro J
io-h fifteen days after; but the befl: time of allii when the whelps are fhaped within her.
Of the "Water spaniel y how io train ^ and order h'trrt for the game in fowling.
The water dog is of ftich general ufe, and fb com- mon amongft us, that there needs no great defcrip- tion of him } but there are great diftercnces amongil' them, as well in proportion as otberwife.
As to colour, the curious will make a difFerencer as the black to be the beft and hardieft ; the.fpotted^ or pied,, quickeftof fcent, and the fiver-hewed quick- eft in fwimmiiig y but,, in truth,, colour is nothing material,, for without doubt there are good and bad of all colours, and that by experience is found : but his breeding, training up, and coming of a good kind, are the chief things y yet it muft be confefled, that as to handfomencfs, the colaur is to be regarded, fo is the proportion as to his (liape; and tlien his head fhould be round, with curled hair, his ears bread and hanging, his eyes full and. lively, his nofe fhorr, his lips like unto a hound's, his neck thick and fhoit, his fhoulders broad, his legs ftraight, his chine fquare, his ribs with a compafs, his buttocks round, his thighs brawny,, his belly gaunt, his paflerns iirong and dew-clawed, and his fore-feet long and round, with his hair in general long and curled, no^ Joofe and fbagged j for the iirft Sieweth hardinefs ^nd ftrength to endure the water, and the other much' tendernefs and weaknefs.
Now for the training and bringing him up, you can't begin too early, to teach him obedience, when he can but lap,, for that is the piincipal thing to be learned ; for being made to obey, he is then ready to do your commands; therefote {q foon as he canlap, teach him to couch and lie ciofe, not daring to {!i\t from th^t poilure wilhgut your commafidsi and tha-
better
rin]
better to efTe^l this, always cheri/h him when he does your will, and corredb him when he difobeys ; and '^be fure to obferve, that in the firft teaching him you never let him eat any thing, but when he does feme- thing to deferve it, that he may thereby know, that fjod is a thing that i:omeih not by chance, or by a jiberal hand, but, only for a reward for well- doing j arid this will make him not only willing to learn, but apt to remember what he is taught without blows.; [and tot hat end, have no more teachers than one, iTof Variety breed confufion, as teaching divers ways, fo that he can learn no way well.
Another thing is, you mud be very conftant to th:e words of direction by which you teach him, chufing fuch as are moft pertinent to that p^urpofe; and thofe ^^Ords't'hat you firft ufe, do not alter, for dogs takp notice oT the found, not of the Englifij, fo that the leaft alteration puts them to a ftand : For example, |if' yoii teach him to couch at the v/ox^ clown ^ xh\$ \vill be a known command unto him ;' and I am of qpinion, that to ufe more words than what is necef- fary, for one and the fame thing, is to overload his memory, and caufe forgetfulnefs in him.
And this method ihoyld be oblerved as to the fet- ting-dog.
You muft teach him alfo to know the word ofcor- re£lion, and re^rehenfion, for no leffbn can be taught without a fault j and no fault ihould efcape without reprehenfion, or at the leafl of chiding, and in thisbe conftant to a word ; as, Co too firrah, rafcal^ or the like; which at firft fiiould be uTed w^ith a la(h or jerk, to make him know that it is a word of wrath or anger^ neither muft fuch words proceed from you lovingly, or gently, but with paflidn and roughnefs of voice, toge- ther v/ith fiercenefsoflooks, that the whelp may trem- ble when he hears you fpeak