NOthing is rec­koned more proper to mans nature, than the desire to know a truth, nor any thing counted more foule, or grosse, than to erre & be deceiued. Seeing then that the thing purposed is for the knowledge of the true vse of the hand in this Art of Riding and Horsemanship, which belongeth to the warre and feates of armes; and that in reason, the substance of a part of any thing cannot well be vnderstood without the knowledge of the verie nature of the thing it selfe whereof it is [Page 2]part (as the vse of the hand is but a part of the Art of Riding) I haue thought good ther­fore First, to seeke out what the verie sub­stance of the Art it selfe is, that thereby wee may the better vnderstand this part whereof we purpose to treate. And thus not meaning to hold you long, I will saie foorthwith mine opinion thereof, the rather to saue the band, whereby I stand so farre indebted vnto you all, than that I thinke my selfe able to satisfie your skilfull expectations, and so vnder the correction of diuerse Noble and many other Gentlemen befides your selfe, with a great number of others that at this daie are growne to some excellencie in this kind of Horsse­manship, The defini­tion. I saie (for my part) that the said kinde of Riding is an Art to make an horsse, for the seruice aforesaid, obedient to his Ri­der. In this short kind of speech (as I take it) the verie whole substance of the said Art is fullie conteined, and therefore the words thereof are diligentlie to be weighed, but especiallie these here following: The parts of the defi­nition which stand vpon the essentiall causes. as ART, an HORSE, a RIDER, and OBEDIENCE: which I meane for the better explaning of my conceipt, to passe ouer with a short discourse.

ART therefore is an obseruation of cer­taine [Page 3]experiences tried & gathered togither, The art is the cause efficient. to be put in order, and taught to some good end. Three things are chieflie to be requi­red in Art, that is: easines, readines, and per­fectnes. Art also is said to imitate nature.

An HORSE is the matter and subiect wherevpon this Art worketh, The mate­riall cause. and is a crea­ture sensible, and therefore so farre as he is mooued to doo anie thing, he is thervnto moo­ued by sense and feeling. Further, this is com­mon to all sensible creatures, to shunne all such things as annoy them, and to like all such things as doo delight them.

The instrument wherby this Art is wrought, The cause formall is the man­ner of tea­ching. is the RIDER, a creature reasonable, and therefore ought to be able to render a reason of euerie thing that he teacheth, in making the horsse obedient to his will, the which if he cannot doo, hee is to be suspected as one vn­skilfull of the Art, and knoweth not what hee dooth.

OBEDIENCE, The cause finall is o­bedience. is a readie willingnes to doo the will of him that dooth command. But now by the waie, though euerie Rider be a creature reasonable, yet euerie reasonable creature is not a Rider, but he which only is skilfull in that Art.

Finally, the patterne that Art should imitate, that excellent Philosopher and valiant cap­taine XENOPHON in his booke De re equestri doth verie gallantlie set forth in these words: Note when you see a Horsse (saith he) make haste to meet with other horsses, Notes of courage in a horsse vp­on occasion of what ob­iects. that be in his view, or mares rather, and then shall you see how nature mooueth him to shew himselfe in his best forme and lustines of courage, yea, both terrible and beautiful to behold: for then he will set vp his crest, bow in his head, pricke vp his eares, gather vp his legs high and nim­ble, swell in his nostrils, and start out his taile, &c. This is now the patterne that the curious painter with all his skill dooth diligentlie in­deuor to imitate, but how much more should the skilfull Rider doo the same?

Of these horsses thus to be made, as XENO­PHON also writeth, there be twoo kinds: the one, for the seruice aforesaid, the other for pompe and triumph, the which we call stirring horsses, the vse of which are verie profitable for this seruice, bicause they teach a man to sit surelie, comelie, and stronglie in his seate, which is no small helpe to him that must fight and serue on horssebacke: but of this last I meane not now to speake.

Of seruice in the warre or field on horsse­backe, there be two kinds: the one in troops and companies, and those be likewise of two sortes, either in the maine battell, or skir­mish: the other, when men being singled by chance or of set purpose, meete & fight hand to hand, which is most proper to this Art. Here you see now in this short discourse, how na­ture hath ordered this matter. First, that Art must imitate hir: next, that the horsse in teach­ing must be mainteined in lustines of courage, and freshnes of feeling, which is proper to him by nature: finally the Rider to make him obe­dient by reasonable meanes, which by nature is proper vnto men: so as these twoo seuerall bodies may seeme in all their actions and mo­tions to be as it were but one onlie bodie. Thus if nature be obeied, and hir order pre­ciselie kept, it cannot be but the end will haue such successe as we doo desire.

Contrarie to these things herein thus short­lie passed ouer, as namelie Nature, Art, The three contraries to nature, Art, & rea­son, with their con­trarie ef­fects. and Reason: is violence, which nature abhorreth; error, which Art reiecteth; vnrulie passion of mind, which reason alwaies withstandeth: and as they be contrarie in nature, so be they also in working, and therefore must needs bring [Page 6]foorth contrarie effects, as we may see by those horsses, that both without courage and com­lines are ridden, with rawe noses, bloudie mouthes and sides, with their curbed places galled, turning their bodies one waie, & their heads another waie, which things are brought to passe by the violent and vnskilfull vse of the hand vpon the chaine, Cauezzan, musroll, and such like, which were first deuised to saue their mouths; and not to marre their noses and muzzels.

For where the true order of riding is not rightlie vnderstood, Wherein the cheefe part of horsseman­ship consis­teth. and the true vse or tem­per of the hand (wherein the cheefe part of this Art consisteth) is vnknowne, or else by o­uermuch impatience banished for the time, there the effects before rehearsed must needs follow. So that, when by those violent meanes they be brought to such passe, as they care nei­ther for hand nor spurre, for bit nor Cauezzan, then are there new deuises of bits & musrolls, hard and sharpe, for the amendment of these defaults, and so from one degree of violence vnto another. And yet when all is done, and that they find by proofe all their labour lost, then they complaine of the horsse, that he han­geth on the hand and craueth the spurre, as [Page 7]though it were the horsses fault by nature, and not the riders ignorance by violence: which by those meanes hath so dulled and deaded the senses and feeling, as he feeleth little of paine, of pleasure nothing at all, and of a sen­sible creature is made a sensles blocke.

Let not men be deceiued (as for the most part they be) in taking one thing for an other, A paralo­gysme to make that the cause of a thing which is not the cause. and that to be the cause of a thing, which is not the cause. As some take wine to be the cause of drunkennes, whereas (in deede) it is the vntemperate desire of the drinker, & not the wine: and so is it the vntemperate hand of the rider, who gouerneth with the raines the bit in the horses mouth, that breedeth the dul­nes and hardnes (as it is commonlie called) and not the bit or the mouth of the horsse. For (I praie you) tell mee in reason, is not yron harder than the mouth of any horsse in the world? I graunt that there should be certaine forms of bits deuised for the remedie or cor­rection of certain faults that may chance in a horsses mouth. The vse and abuse of certaine bits for ri­ding. But if they be deuised for con­tinuall correction, then be they violent, and the horsse will neuer take pleasure in them. But if they be made to remedie a default, or to ease anie griefe, then is there Art & Reason [Page 8]vsed, & the effect of pleasure will follow ther­of. But to conclude, to what end soeuer they be deuised, the hand must guide them, which if it want the due measure in pressing or slack­ing, then will follow some euill effect, as in too slacke bearing, the casting vp & downe of the head, and the vnstaiednes therof, and in ouer­pressing, the thrusting out of the toong, with gaping and wrieng of his neather iaw, What is iustlie cal­led the hardnes of the mouth. & bree­ding of hardnes in the gummes, whereby such hard knobs doo grow, as commonlie are in the innerside of labouring mens hands, which in deede may iustlie be called the hardnes of the mouth. But as these things happen by vnskilfull riders, and violent meanes by them vsed, so they seeke to remedie their owne defaults by more violent waies (as is before mentioned) vntill they ascend vnto the high­est degree of violence most horrible to na­ture, as by cutting those knobbes, and their toongs out of their mouthes, and also the grissels out of their nostrils, and thereby de­serue the name of Butchers rather than of Riders.

Nowe that I haue in this short discourse comprehended the whole substance of the Art in generall, there is next to be shewed, [Page 9]how an horsse may be brought to this perfe­ction before mentioned by the true vse of the hand, so farre as the Art in that point will suf­fer or allow: and further to require were more of curiositie than of skill. For euen the best Physicians doo not alwaies heale the patient that is vnder their cure: neither is euerie pa­tient of one disposition, nor euerie scholer of like aptnes to learne.

BVt yet before we en­ter into this part, let vs see (as we haue purposed) what those excellent authors that write of this Art haue said thereof. And for the auoi­ding of tediousnes, seeing they all agree in substance, not excluding anie, yet make spe­ciall choise of some, which I (for my part) would wish should not exceede the number of twoo, whereof the one should be Xeno­phon, [Page 10]which wrote thereof in ancient time about 300. yeares before the comming of Christ: and the other Gryson, which of late daies hath done the like. Xenophon a great Phi­losopher & an excellēr Captaine. And that the ra­ther, because this Xenophon was not onelie a great Philosopher, but also an excellent Captaine, speciallie ouer the horssemen, as it should appeare: so as no exception can be taken against such a one, as either for want of learning or experience may be obiected, which commonlike there is at this day if anie want either of them. And what that worthie Gentleman Frederike Gryson was, euerie one knoweth, of nation an Italian (which nation hath long borne, and doth beare at this daie the onelie praise of this noble exercise) and of the citie of Naples most famous of all other in Jtalie in this respect. What his iudgement was in the said Art, may appeare to all them that list to looke vpon the rules and precepts so perfectly set foorth by him in writing. What his practise was in the said Art open­lie and dailie in the said citie, and what his praise was there amongst the rest of excellent Riders, yea euen at that time when this Art was in his highest perfection, doth appeare in that noble Carociolos writings, the Duke of [Page 11] Martinas brother, which he intituleth Gloria de caualli, whereof he wrote ten books, wher­in he reckoneth vp wel-neere a hundred as well Princes as Noblemen and Gentlemen: among the which Noblemen of that citie, that were descended of the Senators, thus he writeth of Gryson, and of one Giovanni Be­rardino de la Castella, in the latter end of the second of his said bookes, Tracostoro fioriscono, &c. which may be englished thus: Commen­dation of excellent horssemen. Amongst these florished Frederike Gryson, and Giovan Berardino de la Castella: of the which two in this noble exercise it may be said as Petrarch said of Tullie and Maro; These be the eyes of our toong. For besides the true knowledge of this Art, and the great practise they both had thereof, they with a most perfect iudge­ment had this speciall grace giuen them, that euery horsse at the first riding seemed to obey vnto them euen at their becke, so as the stan­ders by were astonied thereat: wherevpon all other studious of this exercise would vnto these two persons (as to the oracle of Apollo) verie often resort, to be resolued in all their doubts. Vpon these two therefore that haue written of that Art, that is Xenophon and Gry­son, I would wish all those that are desirous [Page 10] [...] [Page 11] [...] [Page 12]to haue the true order and exercise of this Art, speciallie to staie themselues, and con­stantlie to follow. Whose iudgements in ge­nerall (concerning the same) I mind to passe ouer shortlie, and after to touch particularlie the vse of the hand.

The gods (saith Xenophon) haue granted this vnto men, The means how to make an horsse con­ceaue the riders mea­ning. that one of them may instruct and teach another by speach; but no man can instruct and teach an horsse by his speech: but if you will cherrish and make much of him, when he hath done well and to your liking; & againe, punish him when he resisteth and will not be obedient to your will, he will soone and easilie learne to doo those things which are required of him, according to your mind and liking. And this is spoken (saith he) in few words, but it ought diligentlie to be obserued throughout the whole Art of Riding. For a horsse will make the prouder auant and shew of his dooings, and better obey in all other things, when he hopeth to be made much of, and to haue rest after he hath done and ended his trauell. The hart of a horsse, & the chole­rike humor in a man compared. For (saith he againe) the hart of a horsse is like to the humor of choler in a man: so then as men are not easilie prouoked or stirred to anger, vnto whom nothing is [Page 13]said or done that may vex them; so a horsse will not lightlie be mooued, vnto whom a man doth no harme or hurt.

Therefore it is to be prouided, that the Ri­der doo not trouble or vex the horsse (for we must know that all sudden things doo mooue perturbation in horsses.) And further he saith, We ought to abstaine altogither from those things, which the most part of men doo vse in opinion for the best kind of riding, that is, to force them on the hand with the bit, and to torment them with spurres, rod, or whip: for by those meanes all things shall happen con­trarie to that which we desire, that is, to haue him doo all his things in his best courage, shape, and forme, which will not be brought to passe by making him afraid with beating and spurring, driuing him into great pertur­bations: for all such things happen vnto those horsses, to whom the riding is greeuous and painefull, and that to their great shame and lacke, and not to their praise and commenda­tion. In another place he saith: that the best waie to teach (as it seemeth vnto me) is to obserue & hold that which I haue often here­tofore rehearsed, that is, The best way for a Rider to teach a horsse. that you remember to cherish your horsse when he hath done wel. [Page 14]For whatsoeuer a horsse doth by compulsion and force, he neither knoweth what he doth, nor how to doo it, neither will it become him, no more truelie than a Plaier that should be driuen with whipping to plaie his part braue­lie on the stage. For aswell the horsse as the man deserueth worthily dispraise, rather than anie praise or commendation, when they be driuen therevnto by beating and strokes.

Therefore wee must with certaine quiet signes prouoke him to shew himselfe lustie & comelie in euerie part asmuch as he may: so as the profitablest waie of teaching the Art of Riding is, not to deale rigorouslie or hastilie: for anger foreseeth nothing, and is the com­panion of repentance.

But if your horsse haue beene vsed to haue been ridden quietlie with a soft & gentle bit, & hath by such meanes learned all his lessons, and other dooings, and can carie therewith his head and necke comely and decently, it shall be best that you trouble him with none other kind: for he will by this most easilie and wil­linglie doo and performe those things where­with he him selfe is cheeflie delighted, and wherein he pleaseth himselfe most. And that he doth take pleasure in those things afore­said, [Page 15]let this be a good witnesse and token thereof (saith he:) Xenophons proofe of the premi­ses. and therevpon he setteth downe that shape and forme that Art should imitate, as is before mentioned, and then concludeth thus: that He therefore, who can by this meanes and order of riding, bring an horsse in all his dooings and motions to shew this forme and shape which he himselfe doth expresse and represent, when he would seeme and appeare most beautifull, shall bring to passe, that both the horsse shall take great pleasure of the riding, and also that he shall appeare to the beholders verie noble, terri­ble, and beautifull. Thus farre Xenophon.

Gryson in the 9. Grysons iudgement of the Art of riding. page of his booke & last edi­tion, set forth Anno. 1571. vpon the margin of the which this note is set downe, Discipli­na de caualli, deliuereth his iudgement in generall of this Art, wherein (amongst other things) he noteth: that Such are not mooued altogither without reason, which hold that a horsse, being in Latine called Equus, tooke his name of the Latin word Aequū, or Aequali­tas, which in English is Equall, or Iust. For thus he writeth: Et non in tutto fuor di ragione si mu­ouono coloro, che teng ono cheil Cauallo in lingua Latina prendesse il nome dalla equalita. ô guistez­za: [Page 16]and so goeth on and saith, that He ought to be iust in pase, iust in trot, in gallop, in car­rier, in stop, in mannage, in bounding, and fi­nallie, iust of head, and iust when he standeth still, and to vnite himselfe iust with the will of his Rider that sitteth vpon him. And among al these things he commendeth the trot, & con­cludeth, that thereby all the other qualities may be best brought to perfection, and the head and necke to great staiednes, the mouth to a sweete and perfect good staie, the which (to end withall) he counteth to be the verie foundation of the whole Art: in the true tea­ching wherof if one faile, he marreth the horsse vtterlie, and hideth all the goodnes that na­ture hath giuen him. Whereas on the other side, if he be truelie taught, it will supplie many parts wherein nature may faile him. And in the 59. page the 7. line beginning Et perche, &c. Disorders vsed in ri­ding to be auoided. he writeth, that he is forced to note vnto vs that are desirous to flie the disorders that manie doo vse, which by changing of hard & sharpe bits, thinke they shall staie the head, or make the horsse stoppe orderlie, and doo not see how thereby they make a iade of vile courage, or ouermuch exasperate him: by the which greeuous error it shall neuer be possible [Page 17]to bring him to anie good perfection, but by good Art and true discipline, and with a plea­sant bit, wherevpon he may staie his mouth temperatlie with safetie & assurednes, by bea­ring the hand temperate or firme vpon the trot or gallop, and in time to cherrish him when he dooth well, and likewise to chastise him when he dooth ill, he will be fullie brought to all good, and conforme himselfe to the will of his Rider.

And in the 105. page, Ignorance the cause why none haue at­tempted to write of the Art of ri­ding. where he treateth of these things more particularlie, he affirmeth in the end, that the ignorance of these things hath beene the cause, that none haue euer at­tempted to write of this Art, and that he is cer­taine that manie will blame this that he hath set downe, bicause it appeareth vnto them that this manner of teaching should be false and vntrue, being verie straunge and out of vse, from all other which were and be now in the world. But all they which hereafter shall see what good effects doo grow by this order of teaching, shall know the great goodnes of the infinite grace that the heauen dooth now yeeld them. And in the verie last lines of his whole work he thus endeth, Questa é quelto ar­te, la qual si segne da molti &e tanta la difficolta, [Page 18]che vn solo sara colui, che al fui compitamente ar­riuera al suo vero segno. Thus farre in generall I haue not onelie set downe mine owne, but haue also shewed the iudgement of these two authors to confirme the same, as I hope they doo, and as it will further appeare in their par­ticular rules and precepts, which they giue, in teaching how this iustnes and perfectnes may be brought to passe: wherein we see al­readie this to be receiued for a sound con­clusion and ground, A sound principle or ground in the Art of riding. that no forced or violent meanes are herein to be vsed: and also that this maner of riding is not vsuall, neither easie to be followed or found out, though it be set downe in writing neuer so plaine.

For doo we not see that in al other arts there is a beginning, a proceeding, and last of all the perfecting? Familiar examples for the bet­ter expla­ning of the Authors purpose. As for example, in the art of wri­ting, first, there is the learning of the letters, next the well ioining of them togither, and last, the continuall exercise thereof to bring the hand easilie and readilie to write perfect­lie, as faire and well as the perfect example that was first set downe. And doo we not see also, that if there be a thousand Scholars, and all they haue but one example giuen them, and by one waie of one maister taught, which [Page 19]when they haue vsed to follow the same and none other, so long as it may be thought time for them to leaue the schoole, and be able to teach others, that yet all they shall so differ in writing, as that their hands may easilie bee knowne one from the other, yea, and from the first example too. For markes are not set vp, bicause that good markemen can alwaies hit them (for that is not possible) but he is coun­ted the best Archer, that beateth continuallie nearest about it, and dooth (for the most part) hit it more than anie other, and that is possible enough.

ANd now seeing I am light vpon this example, The true vse of the hand vpon the bit, &c. which, in the cheefest point that belongeth therevnto, agreeth with the principall point of this exercise; that is, to the firme and staied direction of the hand (of the which my [Page 20]purpose is cheefelie to treate) my minde is now to consider of the particular rules and meanes the which haue beene giuen by these Authors in that point, for the perfecting of this cause in hand, wherein the true vse as well of the hand vpon the Cauezzan, as vpon the bit, may be knowne, considering they be both vnder the gouernment of the hand.

And heerein I meane to satisfie the speciall request of maister Mackwilliam, as touching the Cauezzan, as farre as my abilitie will serue. But of the mind of these authors I cannot saie much thereto. Xenophon, though treating of the Art of riding, yet saith no­thing of the Cauez­zan. For in Xenophon I find nothing at all written thereof: and in Gryson litle or no­thing to the purpose, as in diuers places heere alledged out of him one may perceiue: as in the last line (saue one) of the ninth page be­fore recited, he first maketh mention thereof, saieng; Come egli ander á sicüro, et solo in Cauez­zana, senzache altro il tiri: and in the thirtenth page, whereas hee treateth of making the horsse to stoppe iust: and also in the foure­teenth, where he sheweth what maner of bit he would haue the horsse weare first: and like­wise in the sixteenth, when hee would haue the Cauezzan taken from him: and againe in the 23. page the fourth line, wherein he warneth [Page 21]the rider when he mannageth the horsse vpon the halfe time, to take heed that he wrie not his necke, but to helpe him skilfullie with the Ca­uezzan: and so againe for the said fault he ma­keth mention thereof in the latter end of the 79. page: and last of all in the 82. treating still of correction for the said fault, he concludeth thus; Caualiero fondato in buona dottrina senza di ciolo togliera non solo di questo ma d'ogn' altro vitio, that is: that the Rider grounded in the right order of teaching, without it shall take a­way not onlie this fault from him, but euery o­ther whatsoeuer. Who is best groun­ded in the Art of ri­ding. And who is best grounded in this skill, he sheweth in the 106. page, at the 33. line, begining thus, Et vi fo noto, &c. I doo you to know, that euerie one which shall know how to correct, to aid, and to cherrish a horsse, according as it behooueth him in time, may be called the most grounded in this skill. And a little after he saith thus, Ma par arriuare a tal virtu & in oqui sua bonta, dico, &c. But to come to such goodnes and perfection, I saie (saith Gryson) that euen as the ship is guided by the steeres man, by meane of a stearne; so a horsse should be gouerned, according as his stearne is mooued, which is the bridle, and the reines thereof, and that he termeth Il manico [Page 22]del timone, the handle of the stearne, the which be holden in the left hand, and guided by rea­son and discourse, so as it behooueth that in all his motions and actions he answer to that mo­tion which the hand mooueth that holdeth the bridle. Now seeing then the ground of all the Art (as he often affirmeth) resteth wholie vpon the true vse and iust gouernment of the hand, let vs of this most cheefe and necessarie point therefore see, what these authours saie there­vnto. For in treating hereof will appeare not onelie the true vse of the hand vpon the bit, but also vpon the Cauezzan, and the whole secret also of this Art to them that with reasonable discourse and heedfull diligence doo consider thereof, and that doone, I (for my part) will shew the experience, with the profit that I haue found by practising of them.

And yet of one thing by the waie, A fault in saddles hindering the right vse of the hand in ri­ding. I must put you in remembrance, most contrarie to the right vse of the hand, and therefore in no wise to be vsed, and that is your new deuised sad­dles of late, that haue their pomels too much bending forward, with a buttresse (as it were) vnderneath it of an handfull thicke and more, so as no man can draw his hand toward him low vnder the pomell to stop or gouerne the [Page 23]horsse, as Gryson teacheth, Vicino al garrese, that is, neere to the withers, but must of force keepe it forward, and when he should stoppe his horsse to heaue it vpward for to draw it to him, he cannot, vnlesse he doo it aboue the po­mell, and in so dooing may chance to knocke his knuckles therevpon, except he keepe his hand verie much forward, which to doo at the stoppe is against all reason: and besides, it is cause of manie disgraces, as well to the rider, as to the horsse himselfe: the which to shew I meane not now to trouble you withall, and therefore to the matter purposed.

NOw to speake some­what of the Cauezzan, The vse of the hand vpon the Cauezzan, &c. thogh Gryson for his own part see­meth to make no great mat­ter thereof, yet he alloweth that others shuld vse it, when [Page 24]he maketh mention of the same in diuers pla­ces (as I haue before remembred) and exhor­teth men to vse it skilfullie, as in the 23. page the third line, there treating of the mannage with the half rest, he vseth these words; Adiu­tāndolo maestreuolmente conta Cauezzana, that is; To aid him skilfullie with the Cauezzan. So as it appeareth in these words, that there is a skill or cunning in the vse thereof, leauing it euen so to the discretion of him that vseth it, thinking peraduenture, that those rules which he hath giuen for the vse of the hand vpon the bit, might serue also for the Cauezzan, to him that hath anie reasonable discourse. So as (in mine opinion) if we would but consider the generall ground verie diligentlie, that is, that we doo not so presse the place whereon it lieth, with ouer hard a hand, as therby the sense may be dulled, but so temperatelie vsed, as the fee­ling may alwaies be fresh (the which I feare is smallie considered of manie that vse it at this daie, as farre as I can see) we should see better effect follow thereof, than we see oftentimes there dooth.

I thinke therefore the best waie to make men to vnderstand the true vse of the same, How the Cauezzan by diuers is misvsed. is first to let them know, how by diuers it is misv­sed: [Page 25]and that it is misvsed, whatgreater proofe can there be more manifest, than to see how miserablie the sillie horsses be tormented and mangled therewith about their noses, so as the skinne and flesh is worne to the bones: and where it should lie flat by nature Come vn mut­tone (as Gryson saith) like to the nose of a sheepe, they by their violence make it arise in the middestlike to the beake of a hawke. How doo we see their heads also set out of frame by reason of the misuse thereof, when the horsse is taught to turne therewith: and (as Gryson noteth) to their great scorne that so teach them, in the 82. page of his booke, whereas he speaketh of some horsse, that hath been taught from the beginning vnto the end, to turne with his nose and necke awrie, saieng thus; Per colpa del' caualiero non vi fu mai prouisto, tal che egli ha fatto il suo lacerto inar cato da vna banda & dalto altra fermo & sano, & dimostrer à che vi sia nato di quel garbo torto. And thus in english: Through the fault of the rider not for­seeing at anie time, how hee hath made his horsse his Lacert bowed on the one side, and firme on the other, The nature of a ver­mine in I­talie, cal­led Lacerto. as though he had beene foaled with that deformitie. This word La­certo is the name of a vermine or creeping [Page 26]worme, like to a Newght, with foure feet, which in Jtalie be common, and haue this propertie by nature, neuer to looke directlie vpon a man but alwaies with his head awrie. And this hap­neth (as he affirmeth) for lacke of taking heed of the vse of the hand at the beginning, that guideth the Cauezzan. For euen as by violent haling thereof, they marre the naturall forme of their noses, so by vnskilfull vsing of it, in tea­ching them the furrow turne (as some call it) they set their heads and neckes awrie, which is now commonlie seene. For if a horsse be tur­ned on the one hand, you shall see him carie his head on the contrarie side. Of what error the fault in a horsse of holding his necke and head awrie doth grow. This vice grow­eth of this error, that when the horsse dooth not yeeld quicklie to the motion made with the reine of the Cauezzan, to turne on that side his rider would haue him, then he pluck­eth it harder and harder, and therewith perad­uenture his head yealdeth, but his bodie stir­reth not at all. The Rider then perceiuing that disorder, letteth that reine go, and bicause he shall not wrie his head in that sort, he staieth the reine on the contrarie side, so as his head cannot follow his bodie, and by this vse and custome of teaching, he is brought to the said fault and vice aforesaid.

But the true vse of the hand in this point is, How to handle a horsse in teaching him the furrow turne and how that turne is made. that when the horsse is brought to the place where he must be taught this furrow turne (that is in a new deepe ploughed ground, into a troden path, betweene two furrowes) and therein standeth strait and iust with his bodie (as Gryson appointeth) mooue him gentlie to go forward, and in the verie motion turne him first on the right hand thus: Drawe the right reine faire and softlie vnto you, taking the same with your right hand low vnder the po­mell of the saddle, well neare halfe a foote to­wards the middle of the reine, whervnto if he yeeld neuer so little, then make much of him, and staie that hand with that reine, so as you neither draw it anie further, nor slacke it anie thing at all: and with your left hand let the left reine slacke, so farre as his head may turne, and haue libertie to go and follow his bodie, and no further.

But if you perceaue with that little yeelding, What helps must be vsed in this kind of training. his bodie mooueth not with his head, then helpe him gentlie with your left leg, but let not your hand stirre. If this will not serue, let his keeper, or some other that hath skill, be with you, that may faire and quietlie come on his left side to his foreshoulder, and thrust him [Page 28]by little and little to cause him mooue the fore part of his bodie. But if the horsses resistance be much, let him vse his force, and thrust the horsse from him as he seeth cause. Then in this meane time, let the rider also helpe him with the calfe of his leg (as is before mentioned) striking him therewith as neere the shoulder as he may, and to make that sound of the mouth or voice, that Xenophon speaketh of, which hee calleth [...], and is made by put­ting the tip of ones toong into the roofe of his mouth, and smartlie to loose it by opening thereof. But in all this time he must keepe his hand firme and staied, not slacking nor draw­ing the same by anie meanes. And assoone as he shall perceaue that the horsse mooueth the forepart of his bodie (be it neuer so little) let him staie and make much of him, but suffer him not to turne backe againe to the path, which peraduenture he will offer to doo, and in that manner bring his forepart about, vntill he come into the path againe, so that his head stand where his hinder part stood, and there setting all his foure feet right in the said path, let him stand with his head and bodie, as strait as you can deuise, and so let him rest and make much of him, & see that both the reines [Page 29]be of equall length, and stand with him in that sort a pretie while, and that doone, turne him on that hand still, in such order as before, vn­till he be come about into the path, and that his head stand that waie therein, as it stood at the first when he began to turne: and alwaies when you offer him the turne, you must first put him forward, and in that verie motion, drawe the reine with your hand as before: thus as you haue doone with your right hand, so must you order your left hand also, when you turne him on the left side. Heere I haue touched diuers circumstances, without the which I could not well shew that which is spe­ciallie purposed, that was, the true vse of the hand vpon the Cauezzan, in teaching the horsse to turne.

But if you will haue a perfect view of the misuse of the Cauezzan, A perfect view of the misuse of the Cauez­zan. then marke when a horsse is ridden with the bit and Cauezzan to­gither, and you shall see manifestlie, and that speciallie when they be turned vpon the left hand, the misuse thereof. For then the rider, hauing both the reines of the bridle, and the left reine of the Cauezzan, altogither in his left hand, thinking to helpe the horsve to turne on the left side, drawing all the reines [Page 30]toward the said side, with the which draught he draweth also the right reine of the bridle with the rest, supposing thereby to helpe the horsse, and dooth not perceiue how therewith the cheeke of the bit on the right side is so pulled vp, as thereby the mouth of the bit dooth so presse the horsse on that side, that his head cannot follow his bodie towards the left side that he is offered to turne vpon, cleane contrarie to the order that he was taught, or ought to haue beene taught, when he was rid­den onlie with the Cauezzan: for then hauing the right reine in the right hand, and the left reine in the left hand, they may be drawne on either side in reasonable manner.

But I doo not see how it is possible in rea­son to teach a horsse to turne on both hands, and keepe that forme and shape that nature hath giuen him, holding the reines of the bri­dle with the reines of the Cauezzan in one hand. Lessons for yoong beginners in this Art or exercise. And therefore I would wish that yoong beginners should not ride with the Cauezzan and bit togither, but rather with a watering bit made like to a snaffle, and hauing the mouth of a cannon bit, so as he might hold the reines of the same, one with the one hand, and the other with the other: as he dooth the [Page 31]reines of the Cauezzan, whose iust and due place is to be borne low euen with the point of the shoulders, and not aboue the mane of the horsse, as one must carrie them, if he will vse them in one hand with the reines of the bridle. What must be doone in riding a horsse with bit and Ca­uezzan to­gither. But if they will needes ride with bit and Cauezzan togither, then to auoid the fault before remembred, I thinke this the best waie (in mine opinion.) Let them learne to change the reines of the bridle out of one hand into the other after this manner: when they turne the horsse on the right side, let them drawe the right reine of the Cauezzan lowe to the point of his shoulder, with the said hand as afore said, & then hold the reines of the bridle which you haue in the left hand with the reines of the Cauezzan, right ouer the crest and the necke of the horsse, so as you presse his mouth nothing at all therewith. So likewise, when you turne him on the left side, change the reines of the bridle out of the left hand into the right, and then hold him with the right hand, euen as you did before with the left, and vse the left reine with your left hand, as you did also with your right. Admo­nishing you by the waie, that in any wise in all your horsses lessons whatsoeuer, you shunne [Page 32]making of ouermuch haste with him, for that is as great an error and ouersight as a rider may commit, and dooth as much hinder your horsses profiting in that you would teach him as anie one thing. So must you be likewise heedfull to giue your horsse breath in all his dooings. And thus much for the Gauezzan.

NOw to begin with Xe­nophon, The vse of the hand vpon the bit, &c. as touching the right vse of the hand vpon the bit, after he hath spoken of diuers kinds of bits wher­with he would haue horsses ridden, he endeth thus: What kind of bit so e­uer it be (saith he) with the same must he be made to performe all those things that be re­quisite, to shew himselfe comelie, and in such sort as we haue prescribed. And therefore the horsses mouth may not be so pressed there­with, [Page 33]that thereby he be put to despaire of li­bertie, neither so easie or soft that he con­temne or despise it. Now then, after you haue somewhat pressed him with the bridle, so as he carrieth his necke well, then must you by and by ease your bridle hand, and make much of him, assoone as he sheweth himselfe obedient vnto you. Further he saith, that when you shall perceiue, that the horsse is delighted and hath a certeine pride in the raising vp of his neck, and that he is well pleased with the easing of the bridle, you must take heed least anie thing at that present be offered him, which beside may then vex and greeue him, as though you would driue him to a perpetuall paine. But then you must winne him with gentle and cur­teous dealing, whereby he may hope for rest and quietnesse: for by that meanes he will be more readie and willing to doo whatsoeuer you will haue him.

In another place he willeth, How to staie a fierce and stubborne horsse in riding. that if you will staie a fierce and stubborne horsse, you may not pull him with the bridle vpon a sudden, but quietlie and patientlie pull it in by little and little, whereby you may allure and intice him, and not compell him by force to staie and stand still. Last of all he sheweth, that gen­tle [...]

This place therefore is diligentlie to be no­ted, and heedilie to be considered, and warilie to be practised. But hitherto yet in these things, there hath beene rather noted what should be doone, than taught how they should be doone. And therefore in the 44. page, he dooth not onelie treate of the matter againe, but teacheth also how it should be doone, and saith; How to make an horsse vn­derstand your mea­ning in ac­tions inci­dent to ri­ding. If you will know how to cause a horsse not onelie to vnderstand the bridle, or to make him go backe therevpon, but also that he may go in a due measure and temper with­out bearing vpon the hand, tenerete quest ordi­ne, doo you keepe this order: Assoone as you haue staied your horsse, draw with a staied hand the bridle temperatlie, as his resistance, or he by defending his mouth shall require, not giuing him anie libertie at all, and with the rod strike him vpon the bowing of his neck faire and gentlie, and so for a while prouoke him with the spurre from time to time, one while with the one, & an other while with the other: but most on that side where he most wrieth his buttocke, to the end he may go iust, with di­uers other meanes, as in those places you may see, vntill at least he draw back one of his fore­feete, and dooing but so much, by and by take [Page 37]heed that therewith you make much of him (as I haue often told you, saith Gryson) and then staie him quietlie a little while, and after assaie againe to do the like, drawing onlie the bridle. For the horsse, by reason of the cherishing you gaue him, shall vnderstand you, and will go backe both with the one and with the o­ther forelegge, and that verie light vpon the hand. How to make an horsse go as farre as one would haue him. Also when you shall offer him that signe to touch him with halfe the rod vpon the necke, you shall with a lowd voice saie, Backe: for he, assoone as afterward he shall heare that manner of voice, and feele that signe of the rod, or if you doo but draw a little the bridle, he will go as farre backe as one will haue him, and euer when he shall be out of the due and true staie vpon the bridle, you shall still make him to doo the like, that is, to go backe in forme aforesaid. And to incourage all men to practise this rule, in the latter end thereof he writeth thus: Et non [...]i disperate, se quando se gli insegna questo, facesse qual che disordine, perche all vltimo tanto maggiormente si trouera in meno spatio di vn bora castigato, et vinto, et assai faci­le; which is to saie in English: Doo you not despaire, though when you teach him this, he make some disorder; for by so much the more [Page 38]at the last, one shall find him in lesse space than an houre, chastised and wonne verie easilie. These places thus recited, bicause they be the principall places that I can find, that is, for this purpose, to haue a horsse to haue a perfect good mouth, by meane of the true vse of the hand: I meane, for the better keeping of them in remembrance, breefelie to gather the whole effect of this that hath beene said.

Wherein first I would haue one note the comparison of a bridle with the stearne of a ship, What things the author would haue noted tou­ching the praemisses appertai­ning to this Art. which is placed in the horsses mouth, and fastned to the reines that are holden in the left hand, and likened also to the handle of the stearne, which in his owne toong he calleth Il manico del timone: and must be guided by rea­son and discourse, and that all the horsses mo­tions and actions must be made to answer therevnto. And then more particularlie Gry­son saith, that we should make him know the bit, with a temperate and firme hand, and that doone, to beare it vpon a sweete staie, which he calleth Dolce appoggio: for therevpon he will waxe verie light vpon the hand, and haue a sweete mouth, champing the bit with great pleasure, for that is the point wherein consi­steth (saith he) one of the greatest matters, and [Page 39]greatest substance to staie the head of the horsse, and to settle it in his due place: and there in that manner, with all the circumstan­ces as is before mentioned, to mainteine him without giuing him anie libertie at all, as Gry­son saith, though it seeme otherwise to Xeno­phon. And then, how he may be taught to be brought to this, he hath set downe the order verie excellentlie and plainelie.

But heerein note (aboue all) how warilie he speaketh of the restraint of libertie vpon the horsses, yeelding to the hand. What is to be doone touching the re­straint of libertie in an horsse. For there he putteth in a caue at (as it were) that the staied­nes or restraint of libertie should not be such, as it should exceed the due temperature of the hand: the true tokens of the which be; if the horsse reine well; and beare his head iust, staied, and light therevpon, and take pleasure of the bit. These properties must ioine so to­gither, as there may not want anie one of them to what action so euer the horsse is put. For if there doo, then is there some imperfection, wheresoeuer it is. And therefore I saie with Gryson againe and againe, that you may not thinke slightlie thereof, that heerein standeth cheeflie the whole substance of the Art. But now, though he hath heere plainlie set downe [Page 40]how it may be obteined, yet in practising the same, I feare we shall be verie often to seeke. For it is not inough, as it seemeth by Gryson, that when he dooth go backe vpon the hand lightlie, and settleth his head in his due place, and taketh pleasure vpon his bit, vnlesse hee doo the same also vpon euerie other act when he shall be put therevnto. For commonlie vpon the stoppe, or when they stand still, they will be in good order: but if you mooue him forward, yea but vpon the pace, he will per­haps leaue plaieng with the bit, and beare somewhat vpon the hand, or thrust out his head, and so likewise vpon the trot, and more vpon the gallop, but most of all vpon the maine carrire. A fault in riding, committed for want of knowledge how to mainteine and conti­nue the hand iust, firme, &c. For how manie shall you see, yea euen at these daies, that in passing of the carrire holdeth his head in, and keepeth him­selfe in that forme that is before appointed? And this commeth for want of the knowledge how to mainteine and continue the hand iust and firme, with a sweete staie vpon the horsse (as is before remembred) in all his actions whatsoeuer, so as he may take pleasure of the bit. And therefore, how we shall mainteine an horsse, being once brought to know the hand, and in this sort before mentioned, that he in [Page 41]all his dooings, whether they be doone furious­lie or quietlie, may keepe himselfe in his due forme and comelines, and to take pleasure therein, is now to be considered, and last of all of Gryson required, and hath set downe his o­pinion thereof (as you haue read.) And for my part, although I may be as farre to seeke as anie other: The au­thors long practise of certeine rules ap­pertaining to this art: as follow­eth. yet for that I haue preciselie prac­tised these rules these twentie yeres, I dare be the bolder to set downe, in what manner I haue practised the same, and how much I haue profited thereby, which may stand for the ex­planation or interpretation of the places a­fore promised, leauing the iudgement and choise of euerie one to doo therein as he li­keth. For as I haue no power to binde anie to like of mine, so I haue good will to follow o­thers, that will with reason in like maner giue me like occasion to follow them.

SVch therefore as shall haue desire to practise these rules, as I haue doone, let them not forget [Page 42]this, that Xenophon and Gryson agree both, that assoone as one is mounted on horse­backe, he must sit quietlie there a while, espe­ciallie if he be to be taught. Xenophon sheweth the reason why: The incon­ueniences of sudden motions procured in a horsse by the ri­der. for (saith he) all sudden moti­ons breed perturbations in the mind of an horsse, and whiles he is in that case, he cannot well learne. For he is not assured of himselfe, nor of that which his rider would haue him do, for (as we saie) he is not himselfe that is trou­bled in mind. And therefore he willeth, when the horsse is first moued, that it should be doon as softlie and quietlie as one could deuise, to what action so euer you meane to put him. And seeing that Gryson would, that all his doo­ings should be doone vpon a staied hand, a iust, placed, and setled head, with a pleasant mouth vpon the bit, which he accompteth to be the cheefe point and whole substance of horssemanship.

Therefore I haue beene verie precise in practising the making of his mouth to that ef­fect, and to mainteine him in the perfection thereof, the which if anie will follow, he must (after he hath sitten quietlie a while) first cause the horsse to go backe according to the order appointed. For vpon that motion he will [Page 43]bring in his head, and settle himselfe (as is a­foresaid) in euerie respect: and in that order then stand still a while, and make much of him: and in that meane while, if he continue not in the said order, then make him go a little backe againe (as before.) But if he continue still in the said good order and forme, then mooue him faire and gentlie forward vpon the pace, with the calues of your legges, keeping your hand staied, so as you neither draw it, nor slack it, offering your bodie somewhat forward withall, and so go foorth right in a strait path, betweene two furrowes, so farre as Gryson dooth appoint. Defaults of disorder in an horsse, and howto be remedi­ed by the rider. If by the waie he make anie disorder, by thrusting out of his head, or waxe heauie vpon the hand, or leaue champing vp­on the bit, the which you must note diligent­lie, assoone as you perceiue it, by and by staie faire and gentlie, and make him go backe as you did before. For in the going backe he will bring himselfe in his right forme and order, wherein as soone as you find him, make much of him, and mooue him forward foorthwith faire and gentlie, and after this maner vse him still, till he come to the place of stop. And as he must be vsed thus in going right forward, so likewise must he be vsed in treading of the [Page 44]rings, first gentlie vpon the pace, and so like­wise vpon the trot, and last of all vpon the gal­lop. And in the practising heereof, you must verie preciselie note these kinds of speeches: that in making of a horsse to go backe, A tempe­rate, staied, and firme hand requi­red in ma­king a horsse re­tire or go backe: and that manie professed riders misse the due vse thereof. it should be doone with a temperate, a staied, and a firme hand. But what the temperate, staied, and firme hand meaneth, and how it is vnderstood and vsed of the most part that take vpon them to professe this art, when they will at the beginning make their horsses go backe, I know not. But you shall see them draw the reines with a forced hand, rather than with a temperate hand, whereby they so presse the horsses mouth, that they put it cleane out of order, which may be perceiued either by ga­ping or thrusting his toong vpon the bit, to defend himselfe from the same, or els ouer the bit, chopping his head out suddenlie, and plucking it in disdainefullie, seeking by moo­uing his head this waie and that waie, to be deliuered of the said pressing: which be all signes of an vntemperate hand, inclining to violence, and contrarie to nature, which to content and please is the end of the whole art. And therefore one should practise this rule in such sort, as the standers by should scarse [Page 45]perceiue whether he draweth the reines ther­with or no, and that in this manner.

First, A forme of practising the former rule, and what things are well to be marked. as soone as he is setled in the sadle (as aforesaid) let him not draw the reines of the bridle vnto him, before he haue made them equall, so that one be no longer than the o­ther. And if it be a horsse, that knoweth not well the bit, then let the bit be as slacke as he can, and let him settle his left hand, wherein he holdeth the reines with his little finger be­tweene, vnder the pomell of the saddle, as neere the withers as he can, so as he touch them not, and then with his right hand draw the reines faire and softlie, and equallie togi­ther through his left hand, the which he may neuer remooue, vntill he feele that the horsse begin to staie vpon the bit: then let him hold the reines there, neither slacking them, nor drawing them anie further, vntill he doo looke in what forme his head standeth, the which if it be not in such due forme as before is descri­bed, then let him giue him his left hand againe a little, and standing so with him a pretie while, let him bring his left hand to his former place againe, whereas he found the horsse to make his first staie vpon the bit, and there if he stand without making anie motion either with his [Page 46]mouth vpon the bit, or with his head, which if you note well, you shall perceiue that he will stand therewith (as it were) doubting, or in a mammering, whether he should put it out, or bring it in, as though he were troubled with the palsie, which you shall scarse perceiue by the motion: then draw the reines with your right hand, through your left hand somewhat more, but let it be so little, and in such gentle sort, as the standers by may scarse perceiue it; for so must all the motions of the hand be at that time, Motions of the riders hand, in ru­ling the reines, &c. if you will make the horsse know the bit, and so keepe it firme and staied there a pretie while: wherevpon if he yeeld anie thing (be it neuer so little) vnto your hand, keepe your hand still at one staie, neither slacking it, nor drawing it anie further, that he may feele the ease gotten by that his yeelding, and vpon his so yeelding make much of him. And if with that yeelding the reines fall slacke, remooue not your left hand, but draw the reines with your right hand through your left, as you did before, for they may not lie slacke vntill he staie againe vpon your hand, wherevnto if he doo yeeld by anie of those motions aforementioned, then make much of him, and so after this sort sollicite him, vntill you haue [Page 47]brought his head into his due place, that is, that his nose lie iust vnder his forehead, nei­ther too much out, nor too much in, but so as he may see where he may set his feete. When you haue brought him to this, To make your horsse offer to go backe, with other acti­ons. if then he beare not light vpon the hand, let his keeper or some other strike him faire and gentlie vpon the knees of his forelegs, for that will make him offer to go backe, and in that offering he will a little raise and bring in his head, in the which motion the bit will mooue, so as both he and you shall feele some ease thereof. But at that instant take great heed that you keepe your hand so firme, that you neither slacke it, nor in anie wise drawe it vnto you, to the end that he may feele the ease that he found by the same motion, the which he will not with his good will lose againe, and therevpon he will take such pleasure, as peraduenture he will both stir the bit quietlie in his mouth, and go backe withall likewise, either of the which motions ought diligentlie to be noted, for they be tokens of the present winning of his mouth, the which once woon in this order, you shall by continuance thereof bring it to be perfect and iust.

BVt aboue all things you must take heed, What is to be auoided in teaching a horsse &c. that in the present time of the tea­ching of him this, you vexe not, nor trouble him with a­nie other thing, nor that in this dailie exercising of him heerevnto, you suffer none other to ride him, vntill his mouth be made perfect, least by feeling the diuersitie of hands before he be assured of anie one, he be so confused with the diuersitie, as he shall neuer be able to attaine to a certeine and sure conceipt of the riders meaning, and then shall he neuer willinglie obey vnto the will and meaning of his rider, The end of the whole art of ri­ding is, that the horsse do willing­lie obey his rider. which is the end of the whole Art. And when by these meanes he is brought to know the iust staie of his head, and assured of the bit, then to mainteine him therein in all his dooings, vntill he may come vnto his full perfection, is first to pace him in [Page 49]this forme and order in rings that be large for one weeke at the least: and alwaies when you find him out of order, staie him, and make him go backe, as is before mentioned. And when he is in order, staie him not long, but making much of him, keepe your hand firme, and put him faire and gentlie into his pace a­gaine; and then if he continue in his good or­der, with making much of him, moue him qui­etlie to go faster vpon the pace, with giuing him your bodie, and touching him softlie with the calfes of your legs: but neither slacke nor drawe your hand to you, for that is the firm­nes that is meant: and hast him so, vntill he fall into a trot of himselfe, & that he will doo verie light vpon your hand, the which you must al­waies keep in such temper, as was last remem­bred, vnles by bringing in his head, the reines fall slacke, for then they must be drawne with the right hand, as you haue heard before. What is to be doone to the horsse when he continueth not light vpon your hand in trot. But if he doo not vpon the trot continue light vp­on your hand, then staie him, and cause him to go back, wherby you shall bring him in order, and that doon, put him gentlie into his pace a­gaine, and so bring him into his trot as before. And though you find him in the beginning verie vntoward, yet within an houres exerci­sing [Page 50]of him in this gentle maner, you shall find him toward inough, as by proofe you shall perceiue. Diuers waies to cherish your horsse. And then assoone as you shall find him so, cherish him with some little tickling, or some scratching with the end of your rod, or with your fingers vpon the withers, or there­abouts in the necke, and trauell him for that time but verie little more, and so leaue him, and alight off from him euen there, and let him be lead home by some leading reine, ra­ther than by the reines of the bridle or head­stall (as manie vse to doo) and at your next riding you shall find him better disposed; and by exercising of him thus but a fornight toge­ther, you shall find (by experience) great good hope of your trauell. And when he will in this quiet sort pace and trot in good order, then may you put him to trot with as much speed as you will haue him, both the rings, or in anie kind of manage. When to put your horsse to the gallop, and what is to be ob­serued in his speedie trot, and in his gallop. But let him not gallop, vntill he be fullie perfect vpon the trot, and in his speedie trot you must keepe your seate and hand firme, so as he may not leese his orderlie and comelie forme before prescribed. But if you will put him to gallop, you must doo it out of the trot, as you be taught to put him in­to the trot, out of the pace, and so to keepe [Page 51]him in a quiet gallop in the large rings, euen to the stop, at the which you must not drawe your hand hastilie to you, but euen with a lit­tle swaie of your bodie backe, and your hand togither. Staie your hand there till he come backe a step or twoo, and there staie him, and let him not go forward; and there withall if he doo well, make much of him, and let your hand with your bodie go to their place againe. But if he offer to go forward, then with the like swaie staie him, and so let him stand still a pre­tie while, making much of him, and then alight there, and let him be lead home, or else faire and softlie pace him home from thence after you haue staied there with him a good pretie while.

But now, if you will be assured, How to be assured whether you haue the right vse and temper of the hand, and that the horsse be well as­sured of the bit. whether you haue the right vse and temper of the hand, and that the horse be well assured of the bit, pace your horse ouerthwart the fallow of a new ploughed land that is deepe, and of a light mould, as fast as you can, so that he trot not, halfe an houre togither, and keepe your hand in the firme and temperate staie, as is before prescribed. If in this time, and in your so doo­ing, the horsse keepe his head in his due place, beare light vpon your hand, and take plea­sure of the bit: you may assure your selfe that [Page 52]you haue then obteined the right knowledge of the vse of the hand, wherein the cheefe sub­stance of this Art dooth consist. By this exer­cise also, To bring a horsse to a iust trot is verie hard. you shall bring your horsse to trot iust, which Gryson thinketh to be the hardest thing to bring a horsse vnto, by the meanes of which (saith he) the horsse shall come vnto the perfection of all his other iust dooings.

But my purpose is not to treate of anie o­ther thing at this time, The Au­thors pur­pose in this treatise. but onelie of the right vse of the hand, which hitherto hath beene treated of, as concerning the teaching and making of a horsse. And now we are to treate of the vse of the hand vpon a horsse alreadie taught, and fit for the seruice, wherein we haue but the vse of the left hand onelie: for the o­ther must serue vs for our weapon whatsoeuer it be. But least that some may thinke that Gryson and Xenophon for the vse of the hand be of contrarie minds (as it is somewhat tou­ched before) I thinke good before I proceed anie further in this, to shew mine opinion of their difference. The con­trary minds of Gryson & Xenophon touching the vse of the hand, &c.

Gryson affirmeth constantlie, that vpon the horsses yeelding vnto the hand, wee should giue him no libertie at all, and that in diuers places he affirmeth. And Xenophon cleane con­trarie [Page 53]saith; that assoone as he bringeth in his head, and boweth in the necke, you should by and by slacke and ease your hand. His words be these; The horsses mouth may not bee so pressed with the bit, that thereby he be put in despaire of libertie, nor yet so easilie and soft that he should contemne the same. Note well therefore the proportion of this measure: and so he goeth on & saith; When you haue some­what pressed him with the bridle, so as he cari­eth his necke in good order, then must you by and by ease your bridle, & make much of him assoone as he sheweth himselfe obedient vnto you. And a little after; If the horsse seeme to be well pleased with the easing of your hand, and taketh a pride (as it were) in raising of his neck and crest, take heed then euen at that present, least anie thing doo vex or greeue him; but with gentle dealing he must be vsed as he may hope for rest. How the head and necke of a horsse should be placed. In the beginning of his booke he sheweth, how he would haue the head and necke should be placed, not rising out of the breast inclining downeward, as it is in a goate or hog; but rising vpward toward the crowne like a cocke, somewhat bending in the mid­dest, so as the eie of the horsse may see his owne feet. This is the summe of Xenophons o­pinion. [Page 54]Now let vs see what Gryson saith; to the end we may know wherein they agree and disagree, and whether the same be in word or meaning. For the placing of the head, and framing and fashioning of the necke they a­gree, and both they would haue his head so placed, as he may see where to set his feete, and when he sheweth himselfe obedient, to be much made of. What waie is best to make a a horsse vn­derstand when he dooth well: and how Xenophon and Gryson differ in the maner thereof. For the horsse can no better waie be made to vnderstand when he dooth well, than by ease and rest, and much making of, wherein he may take some pleasure. But in the manner how he should be made to vn­derstand this ease and much making of, stan­deth the diuersitie. For the one would haue him vnderstand it by slacking the hand, and the other (as it seemeth) would not haue him haue anie libertie at all. For (saith he) when you haue brought the head of the horsse in his due place with those signes before re­membred, giue him then no libertie at all. But straitwaies he putteth (as it were) a caueat: Let the staiednesse be such, that it be not out of his due temperance. For therevpon he will take great pleasure, champing the bit, and be maruellous light vpon the hand, &c. Now therefore if we consider Xenophons proporti­on [Page 55]in slacking of the hand with Grysons re­straint and caueat thereto added, we shall find that they differ nothing in meaning, howsoe­uer they differ in words. The opini­on of Xeno­phon and Gryson, see­ming re­pugnant or different, reconciled. For the slacking of the hand on the one side, and the straining thereof on the other side, should be such as the horsse might find ease, and take pleasure ther­of. For as there is no pleasure in ouerstraining, no more is there in ouerslacking: and there­fore he that can find the iust meane betwixt these two extreames, dooth happen vpon the true meaning of these two excellent persons, which (in mine opinion) differ not in meaning but in word. A reason drawne from the art of mu­sicke, for the better explaining of the au­thors pur­pose. As we perceiue in the Art of mu­sicke, vpon instruments with strings, if any one string be strained or slacked more than his due measure, the pleasure of the whole musicke is lost: euen so, the vntuned or vntemperate hand dooth marre the plesantnes of the horses mouth; neither can anie with reason thinke, that he which would haue the string slacked when it is too much strained, neither the other which would haue it strained when it is too slacke, that they be contrarie in meaning: see­ing they both would, that the instrument should be so tuned, as the musicke might yeeld the pleasant effect. But see (I praie you) [Page 56]diligentlie, how nice and warie these two ex­cellent persons be in this most skilfull point of Horssemanship, without the true knowledge of which, all the reast in comparison is but vaine.

You see, they deuise no hard or sharpe bits, no pricking musrolles, or Cauezzans, or such other like instruments of violence, whereby the sense in continuance is either made dull or dead; but rather how they may delight and please them as nature and art requireth. But this mine interpretation of this place, and all the rest which I haue vsed, by shewing in what sort I haue practised them, I leaue to the iudgement of others, and now go on with that which was purposed, that is, to shew the right vse of the hand vpon horses that be alreadie made perfect and iust.

NOw then, What is to be doone when a horsse is perfected according to the Au­thors rules. when a horsse is thus taught and brought to perfec­tion (as Gryson saith in the 107. page) we shall not need to vse the [Page 57]rod or anie other helpe, but to keepe our bo­die, hands, thighes, knees, and legs iust in such sort as I haue told you before, that is which is set foorth in his owne booke. Mutuall consent of the horsse and the horsseman by what meanes procured. For the horsse with euerie little token by aide of the bridle, and of the spurre will vnderstand your mea­ning: and in euerie act that you shall doo, he will accompanie you, and you shall accompa­nie him in time and measure, so as to the be­holders it shall appeare, that he and you be one bodie, of one mind, and of one will. In this point therefore, first there is to be consi­dered, how in the left hand the reines be pla­ced, and how they are then to be vsed: for therein most cheefelie standeth the whole go­uernement which Gryson likeneth to the han­dle of the stearne that gouerneth the ship: and these reines (as he sheweth in the 109. page, which he willeth to note, beginning at these words Notateche) must alwaies be placed in this maner, M. Blunde­uiles rule for the hol­ding of the reines. which Maister Blundeuile hath re­membred in the tenth chapter of his first booke thus: As touching the reines, you must hold them in your left hand, so as the little singer, and ring finger too (if you will) may al­waies be placed betweene the twoo reines, and the thombe close vpon the reines, with [Page 58]the brawne thereof turned toward the pomell of the saddle, and being thus closed togither in your fist, Gryson in the 39. page, beginning at Quando volterete, &c, sheweth, how the fist must then be vsed, when you will turne your horsse in whatsoeuer kind of manage it be, af­ter this maner: Doo not (saith he) remoue your arme or hand, but keepe it firme and staied right ouer the crest or mane of the horsse, and with a little signe or token giuen after a certeine manner, by turning your fist onelie, make him to know on whatside you would haue him turne, but yet so as your fist in anie wise keepe the appointed place right ouer the mane, neither remoouing it of the one side, nor the other, to the end he may go firme and iust. Thus farre Gryson.

Maister Claudio Corte, What ma­ner of mo­tion of the fist M. Clau­dio Corte re­quireth of the rider, when he should turne his horsse on anie fide. in the second booke of his Cauallarizzo, as he intituleth it, for the placing of the hand and the reines, agreeth fullie with Gryson, but is somewhat more libe­rall in declaring the maner of the motion of the fist, when one shuld turne him of anie side. For (saith he) if you will turne him on the right hand, then bow your fist, so as your thombe maie turne downe toward the mane of the horsse, as therby you may see the full backe of [Page 59]your hand, with your little finger vppermost. And when you will turne him on the left hand, then contrariwise turne your fist so, as the thombe may go backe from you toward the head of the horsse, and that you may see all your fingers in the inside of your fist, so that your little finger and ring finger may appeere more fullie vnto you than your thombe, but yet no more nor lesse than need shall require; but so as your hand remooue verie little from the appointed place, either of the one side of the necke or the other, and that according to euerie mans skill that vseth it. But I know well (saith he) that verie few haue the true vse of it. And heere doubting (as it seemeth) whether his meaning should be vnderstood in this point, addeth; M. Claudio Corte doub­teth that his mea­ning will be vnder­stood but of a few. And peraduenture there be few that vnderstand me (saith he) though I haue set it downe verie plaine. And so surelie to doubt he had great reason. For truelie I feare that to the most part this which hath hitherto beene said of either of them, will seeme but a riddle, and therefore had need of further explana­tion.

There is no doubt, but that these excellent persons vnderstood some grounded reason of this precept, if it had pleased them as well to [Page 60]haue set downe the reason as the rule: for that being knowne, the rule will easilie be vnder­stood. Let vs endeuor our selues therefore to seeke it out. The au­thors opi­nion gathe­red out of the verie forme of Grysons and Claudios rule tou­ching the turning of the fist, &c. What mine opinion is thereof, and vpon the which I rest, vntill I haue others to perswade me otherwise, is this, which I ga­ther out of the verie forme of the said rule, and that is of the placing of the hand and reines, and of the motion of the fist, as you haue read before, as the hand not to remooue from the crest of the horsse, the little finger and the ring finger (if your will) be placed betweene the reines, &c. Gryson biddeth vs turne our fist af­ter a certeine maner, but sheweth not how. Claudio goeth further, and sheweth how one should turne his fist, but no cause whie hee should so turne it: and therefore (in mine opi­nion) to make it plaine, this I adde vnto it, and would haue all men note, that when I find the fingers thus placed betweene the reines, and find also that the left reine lieth close, and re­maineth in the inside of the fingers, and the right reine vpon the outside of those fingers, this being well noted, you shall straight see the reason, whie or to what end that motion of the fist that Claudio dooth shew, tendeth vnto. For (saith he) when you will turne the horsse on the [Page 61]right hand, turne your fist so as your thombe may go downeward to the horsses mane, that your little finger may rise vp, on the outside of the which the right reine lieth, and by the rea­son of that motion is raised vp, and the left falleth, By what accusto­med signes the horsse knoweth when his rider would haue him turne on the right side and when on the left. and therewith the horsse feeleth the right reine straighted, and the left slacked, which he knoweth by custome to be the signe to haue him turne on the right side. And so likewise when you would haue him turne on the left hand, he turneth his fist so, that his thombe goeth backe toward the necke of the horsse, as he may see all his fingers in the inside of his hand. By the which motion he raiseth the left reine, which is in the inside of his hand, and the right also falleth, with the which the horsse feeling himselfe neuer so little streined on the left side, knoweth by that signe, that he should turne on the left side.

Now whether that this be the forme and maner of turning of the hand that Gryson mea­neth, I know not, but in effect certeinelie they meane all one, as I gather by Gryson in the 69. page, where he teacheth how one should cor­rect a horsse with the bit, that holdeth his necke awrie, beginning thus, Oude similmente, &c. If (saith Gryson) he hold it awrie on the left side, [Page 62]hold your bridle in the woonted place, that is right ouer the crest, and take the right reine vp with the forefinger of the bridle hand, the which reine you shall hold betweene the said finger and your thombe, and if you see cause, you may ioine your middle finger therewith also. But if it be too plieng on the right side, and stiffe on the left, then hold not onelie the little finger in his due place, betweene both the reines, but also the ring finger and middle­most too, so as on what side soeuer his fault be, by this meanes you shall force him by little and little, to yeeld vnto that part of the necke that is stiffe. What he meaneth by vsing the reines in this maner, for the correction of this fault, euerie child may conceiue the reason. And herevpon I gather, How to signifie on which side the rider would haue his horsse to turne. that in what maner so euer he mooueth his hand, to signifie on which side he would haue the horsse to turne, it is by staieng the reine on that side, and slack­ing it on the other, as I haue shewed before. And therefore (for mine owne part) I vse in practising therof, to take part with them both, so farre foorth as I find it most handsome for my hand, as thus. When I turne him on the left hand, I vse Claudio his motion, to bow my fist so as my thombe may go backward toward [Page 63]the horsses head, whereby I raise the left reine that lieth in the inside of my little finger, by raising that part of my hand wherein that reine lieth: and when I turne him on the right side, then I take vp the right reine with my fore­finger (as Gryson teacheth in the place before recited, though it perteine not properlie to this) and leaue the turning of my fist as Claudio teacheth with my thombe downe, and my lit­tle finger vppermost, on the outside whereof the right reine lieth, which I find oftentimes to slip from the place, but so I am sure the o­ther waie, if I take it with my forefinger or middle finger it cannot, and so vnto me I find it more handsome. But yet I leaue both these or anie other to euerie person to vse, as he findeth it most fittest for him: so that they swarue not from these naturall grounds, that the hand keepe his appointed place, and that the motion therof be such, as when one dooth turne a horsse on anie side, he should staie or straine him with the reine on that side.

And the lacke of the knowledge in this point is the cause that maketh our horsses for­sake the tilt oftentimes: The cause whi hors­ses doo of­tentimes forsake the tilt. for it is well neere a common thing, that when a horsse dooth passe along the tilt, to see him carie his head rather [Page 64]from, than toward the same. The reason is, bi­cause he that passeth him, draweth his bridle hand toward the tilt, thinking therby to cause the horsse to yeeld his head and bodie toward the same, and dooth not perceiue, how by that motion of the hand, hee streineth the right reine which is on the right side of the horsse, that is from the tilt, and slacketh the left reine next vnto the tilt, so as the horsse cannot for his life keepe his head towards the same. And thus haue I made this matter as plaine as my skill or wit will serue, and as I haue conceiued it in mine opinion, the which I leaue to the iudgement of others. And heerewithall yet one may see now how plaine it is, when the reason is added to the rule. What the Author once pur­posed tou­ching the bookes of Gryson and Xenophon treating of the Art of riding. And in this maner was I once minded to haue gone through the whole booke of Gryson with verie short notes, and to haue added thervnto Xenophons booke of the Art of riding. But now I meane to staie, and expect what will be the iudgement of this my first labour, and how it will be allowed among the skilfull sort of them that pro­fesse this Art, to whose reasonable correction & fauourable inter­pretation this worke dooth offer it selfe.

FIrst, Particular commodi­ties possi­ble to be attained by practising the rules and order set downe by Gryson. you shall neuer put your horsse in danger of winde and limme, or other deformitie of his bodie: in which if nature hath made a­nie default, it may greatlie be helped thereby.

Next, your horsse shall neuer put your per­son in perill by rearing or running awaie, if you haue the said true vse of the hand.

Againe, he shall neuer greeue his rider with heauie bearing vpon his hand: but shall beare light, reine well, and keepe his head steddie, and haue a perfect mouth, taking pleasure vp­on the bit, with a cheerefull pace vnder him, vnlesse he be too too dull of nature.

Moreouer, to bring these things to passe, [Page 66]you shall not need to bestow your monie vp­on Cauezzans, chaines, musrolles, or martin­gales, or anie such instruments, but of a can­non bit onelie with false reines, vntill he come to some towardnes, and then to bit him, as ye shall see cause.

For these things aforesaid were deuised by men of art, To what end, Cauez­zan [...], chains, musrolles, &c. were deuised. not for their owne vse, but for to traine vp yoong beginners, and to bring them thereby to the knowledge of the hand, their seate, and when, and how they should aid an horsse, cherish and correct him before they would trust them to ride him with the bit one­lie. And so Gryson affirmeth, Che il caualiero fondato in buona doctrina senza di cio lo togliera non solo di questo ma d'ogn' altro vitio, that is, That the rider grounded in the right order of teaching without it (meaning the Cauezzan, or such like instruments) shall take awaie not on­lie this fault (treating in that place of the fault which the horsse committeth when he hol­deth his head awrie) from him, but also euerie other whatsoeuer.

Finallie, by this you shall know, to whom you may commit your horsse safelie and as­suredlie to be taught, thereby to haue him in [Page 67]all his assaies to serue your turne, and of whom you may be assured to find the contra­rie. For he that hath an horsse, which by nature beareth heauie vpon the hand (whereof there be but few if there be anie at all) or be brought thereto for lacke of skill in the rider (of which there be too manie) and suffreth such an horsse to go out of his hand vnrecouered of the said fault, so as the horsse doo not all his actions vp­on a light and staied hand, with pleasure and comelines, and that with a cannon bit onelie (as is aforesaid) he is not to be trusted with a horsse of anie value. Note with­out the knowledge of what point in the Art of riding all the rest in comparison is but vaine. For without the know­ledge of this point of riding, all the rest in comparison is but vaine. Neither shall anie man euer be able without it to bring a horsse to that lustines of courage, and comelinesse of shape, that Xenophon requireth in all his doo­ings, which he himselfe dooth represent and expresse, when he would appeare most beau­tifull. But he that can (saith he) bring that to passe, shall cause not onelie the rider, but also the horsse to take great pleasure in the riding, so as therein he shall appeare verie noble, terrible, and beautifull to behold; yea, and so delight the eies of the beholders, with mar­uelling [Page 68]thereat, that neither yoong nor old will be willing to depart so long as he is a riding. Thus saith Xenophon. The Au­thor con­cludeth this treatise with Gryson. Therefore with the last sentence of Grysons booke, I conclude thus: Questa e quell'arte laqual si segne da molti, & e tanta la difficolta, che vn solo sara colui che al fui compita­mente arriuera al suo vero segno.