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JOHNA.SEAVERNS

PHIJLIPASTXEY,

Eom JanT 8*^1742

0

^Hvas lure theFcdntets Task to trace
JBzLt ffu^mere SenCblwice cfJdsFace,
Th&Fortraib of yvhose Maidy;nwre true,
lo.'Tds own Work -presents to view.

ASTLEY's

SYSTEM OF

Equestrian Education^

EXHIBITING THE BEAUTIES AND DEFECTS

HORSE

WITH SERIOUS AND IMPORTANT

OBSERVATIONS

ON his' GENERAL EXCELLENCE,

PRESERVING HIM IN

HEALTH, GROOMING, ?Sc.

WITH PLATES.

Cl)e OBfsfttf) coition.

" To prevent Accident is better than to Cure J*

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY THOMAS BtJRNSIDE,

NO. lO, LOWER LIFFEY-STREET,

And Sfld by the principal Booksellers in *the United Kingdom,

1802.

[ Entered at Stationers' Hall, ]

THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES

GEORGE PRINCE OF WALES,

(^c, &c. &c*

FIELD MARSHAL

FREDERICK DUKE OF YORK,

&c, &c, &c.

In prefuming to dedicate this
work to your Royal Highnesses,
the Author has the honour to
acknowledge that he is prompted
to it by a two-fold motive —
firft, a thorough con vi6lion that
A 2 the

1V_ DEDICATION.

the elevated rank, you hold
in the army (by which you are
fo defervedly beloved, for the
fedulous care you take of its
deareft interefts) pre-eminently
points you out as the natural
Patrons of a publication, which
has for its avowed object the
EASE and SAFETY of His Majefty's
Subjects, whofe lives are but
too frequently endangered by
the vv^ant of experience in Horfe-
manfhip ^ an experience which
can only be attained by an
acquaintance with Equestrian
Education, founded on scienti-
fic principles—happy is he to
learn, that it is the wife inten-
tion

DEDICATION. V

tion of Government immediately
to eftablifh national Military
Seminaries for this falutary
purpofe !

The Author's fecond induce-
ment in laying this humble
tribute of his refpe6l at the feet
of your Royal Highnesses, pro-
ceeds from a high fenfe of fa-
vours munificently conferred on
his eftablifhment near Weftmin-
Jier- Bridge. Under the aufpices
of your Royal Highnesses, it
has thriven, and is thriving, and
fuch benefits, he conceives, call
aloud for public acknowledge-
ment ! With thefe fentiments,

the

Vi DEDICATION.

the Author has the honour to
fubfcribe himfelf, with profound

Refpe6l and Gratitude,

Your Royal Highnesses'

Moft dutiful and

Devoted humble Servant,

Fkilip Aflley.

CON-

CONTENTS.

CHAP. L

1 HE Author's Syftem of reducing Horfes to
Obedience ---------- i

CHAP. n.

Dialogue on Equeftrian Education - - - - 27

CHAP. III.

Serious Advice to Ladies and Gentlemen - 77

CHAP. IV.

Neceffary Precautions in purchafing Horfes S^

CHAP. V.
Of the Bridle, Saddle, and Stirrup - - - 93

CHAP. VI.
Training Horfes to Leap ------ 95

CHAP.

VUl CONTENTS.

CHAP. VII.

Obfervations on the Walk, Trot, and Gallop 98

CHAP. Vlil.

Draught- Horfes ; and how to render them
quiet in Harnefs -------- 103

CHAP. IX.
Feeding, Grooming, &c. ----*- io8

CHAP. X.

Dialogue between the Author and a Travel-
ler, on the Health and Indifpofition of the
Horfe - - - 114

CHAP. XI.

Difeafes to which Horfes are liable, Cure,
&c. alfo a Dialogue between Sir Richard
Jebb and the Author — his Opinion,
&c. -.-------- 120 — 160

CHAP. XII.

Difcourfe on the Manege cPEquitation^ with
Plates, &c. - . - « 174

PRE'

PREFACE

Were men in general to eonfider how much a
little good management would add to the beauty
and perfedlion of the horfe, I flatter myfelf, no
gentleman would think his time ill-fpent, in pro-
moting the due cultivation offuch a noble, ufeful,
and fagacious animal. It is generally underftood,
that horfes of a middling fize have the moil fpirit
and agility. Indeed, I am extremely fond of this
kind of horfe, if good tempered, if the eyes be at
once bright, lively, refolute, and impudent : by
the eye may be difcovered his inclination, paflion,
malice, health, and indifpofition.

Although, for a feries of years, the management
of the horfe has been my chief, my peculiar ftudy,
it may be fuppofed my fyftem will experience
SOME oppofition. Many perfons, too wife to be
taught, will exclaim — what unbounded ignorance

m

X PREFACE.

in the author ! how ridiculous and abfurd, to teach
what every body knows! — But the many fatal ac-
cidents, which daily occur, fufficiently prove the
necelhty of acquiring some knowledge of equefirian
education', of which a pliability and command of
the body, on horfeback, certainly forms a moft
elTential part.

It is a known favfl that many gentlemen have
purchafed commiffions in the cavalry, merely be-
caufe they could ride a fox-chafe, or a horfe-race;
but a little adual dashing service in the field
of honour foon convinced them of the neceflity of
being taught to ride on pure fcientific principles,
and under able profeffors. Certainly this precau-
tion is the more requifite in a country fo much
admired by all Europe for its breed of excellent
horfes ; but if we negledl to improve the adlion of
this animal, its great qualifications become but a
mere fliadow\

I crave permiflion to remark, that this generous
and ferviceable creature pofleffes the courage of
the lion, the fleetnefs of the deer, the ftrength of
the ox, with the docility of the fpaniel : by his

aid,

PREFACE. 7.1

aid, men become more acquainted with each
other ; he not only bears us through foreign climes,
but likewife labours in the culture of our foil ;
draws our burdens and ourfelves; carries us for
our amufement and our exercife ; and both in
the fports of the field and on the turf, exerts him-
felf with an emulation, that evinces how eagerly
ambitious he is to pleafe and to gratify the de-
fires of his mafter.

He is both our flave and otir guardian ; he gives
profit to the poor, and pleafure to the rich ; in our
health he forwards our concerns, and in our fick-
nefs lends his willing aili (lance for our recqverj.

This fine, this fpirited animal participates with
man the toils of the campaign, and the glory of
conqueft ; penetrating and undaunted as his maf-
ter, he views dangers, and braves them ; accul-
tomed to the din of arms, he loves it with enthu-
fiafm, feeks it with ardour, and feems to vie with
his mafter in his animated efforts to miCet the foe
with intrepidity, and to conquer every thing that
oppofes itfelf to his matcldefs courage.

J.I

XII PREFACE.

In tournaments and Equeftrian Exercifes, his
fire and his courage are irrefiftible. Amid his
boldefl exertions, he is equally colleded and trac^
table-, not obeying his own impetuofity, all his
efforts and his acflions are guided folely by his
rider. Indeed, fuch is the greatnefs of hjs obedi-
ence, that he appears to confult nothing but how
he Ihall bell: pleafe, and, if poflible, anticipate
what his mafter wifhes and requires ; every im-
prellion, he receives, produces refponfive and im-
plicit obedience ; be darts forward, checks his
ardour, he flops at command; the pleafures, at-
tendant on his own exiftence, he renounces, or
rather centres them in the pleafure and fatisfac-
tionofman.

Nothing can be more wonderful than the preci-
fion with which he performs every thing that is
required of him ; refigned without any referve to
our fervice, he refufes nothing, however dangerous
or. difficult to execute.

He ferves with all his ilrength, and in his
Clrenuous efforts to pleafe, oft-times out- does his
mature, and even dies in order the better-to obey !

In

PREFACE. Xlll

In a word, wife Nature has beftowed upon him
a difpofition both of love and fear for the human
race; fhe has endowed him alfo with that percep-
tion, which yields him the knowledge of every
fervice we can, and ought to render him. Such,
indeed, are the acute and generous feelings of this
animal, that he is lefs afflicSled with his own bond-
age, than with the want of our protecflion ! Pleafed
in an unceafing round of labour for our health,
pleafure, profit, and protection, he feels no diftrefs
but what is caufed by our own cruelty, our
ingratitude! All he demands from us, there-
fore, for a life of uninterrupted fatigue, isfupport^
and a reciprocity of good offices; his chief gratifi-
cation arifing from the fenfe of our being pleafed
and fatisfied with his unwearied endeavours to
ferve us.

If fuch, therefore, be the qualities of this noble
creature, furely he, who has devoted his life to
the fludy of his difpofitions, has some fmall
claim to the protecflion of his country, and his
opinion fliould have some weight in a Treatife
of this kind.

It

XIV PREFACE.

It is by an unwearied application in obferving
the temper and extraordinary sagacity of
this generous animal, that I have attained the
knowledge of rendering him more pleafing and ufe-
ful to his rider than he would otherwife prove ; and
I flatter myfelf this work will be found to contain
fuch information and improvement, in the art of in-
flrudling the horfe, as were never, till now, pre-
fcnted to the public. I truft, it is no prefumption
to fuppofe from my continual application to this
fcienc?, (which has been upwards of 40 years,)
that what is here offered, will contain fuch mate-
rial difcoveries, relative to the difpoiition and ma-
nagement of the horfe, as to render it a work of
the greatefl public utility.

I beg leave to recommend particularly to the
attention of the reader, that from my having fo
long devoted my lludy to the temper of the horfe,
I .have been able to improve the art 0/ horfe-
manfhlp, thereby furni(hing a greater variety
of PUBLIC AMUSEMENT, of higher entertain-
ment and gratification, to the public, together
v;ith much more fecurity to the Equeftrian Per-
former

PREFACE. XV

former in general. " Certainly he that prevents
accident does more than he that cures ;*' and I can-
not but think, from che great encouragement I
have received while exhibiting Equestrian
Amusements in my native and in foreign
countries, that public discrimination has no-
ticed the redlitude and just foundation
of my intentions in this necessary point, as
well as in the number of pupils in:^.r'\^l:ed by
me in the art of Equestrian Public Perfor-
mance, and who have alfo, in return, experi-
enced the most liberal encouragement in
every country. I could wifh this species of
AMUSEMENT, if poflible, to bccomc a part of
our Equestrian Education : — Firft, becaufe
a greater command and pliability of body is
neceffary when the feet is placed on the fad-
die, than when we are feared in it. — Secondly,
the pradice of fuch cxercifes not only in-
forms the mind, but is conducive to health,
I conceive, more than the pradice of' the
Manege fyftem, fo much neglectted in this
country, biut for what reafon I know not, un-
lefs it be concluded, that both exercifes form^
too laborious a idSk for our purfuit.

How

XVI PREFACE.

How amufing is it to the pure and perfecH:
horfeman, to fee in Hyde Park, for inftance, fo
many untutored Equeftrians, who, not knowing
how to adapt themfelves to the motions of the
horfe, experience fhocks in the faddle, which
excite laughter in the bye-ftander j — and yet they
miftake their ftrained and diftorted attitudes for
grace and for elegance ! The Enfield-Chafe air
on Eafter Monday is flill vifible ; they are ftalk-
ing caricatures, fit obje(5ls for the wit and inge-
nuity of Mr, Bunburyl

ASTLEY's

ASTLEY^s

Equestrian Education.

CHAP. I.

Mr. Astley's Syftem of Backing and Breaking

Colts, or ungovernable Horfes ; teaching them
to hear the glittering of Small Arms, to ftand the
Explojion of Ordnance^ the Sound of Trumpet Sy
Drums y Waving of Flags y Motions of Soldiers ^
and Objeds of every Kind, that may alarm their
Sight or Hearing.

Judgement, temperance, and perseve-
rance, are indifpenfably neceflary to bring the
brute creation to a proper fenfe of duty. Many
gentlemen too fatally experience the bad effedl of
Horfes being intruded to ignorant perfons, whofe

B knowledge

2 ASTLEY*S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

knowledge of feeding, riding, training, breaking,
andexercifing, may have been obtained from prac-
titioners of much lefs fagacity than the very beafls
configned to their care and diredllon.

No man can render the horfe obedient, unlefs
he has had fiich experience in the art and execu-
tion, as to have acquired a thorough knowledge of
what the creature is capable of performing, with
the mod ready^ perfed, and eafy fubmilfion ; and
it is requiiite, to have much penetration to know
every particular, in point of execution i as alfo
the temper of the horfe you are defirous of train-
ing and inftrudling for fervice, amufement, Sec.
Wirhout fuch great depth of difcernment you may
confirm, inftead of corred^ing, a bad disposition,
or change the moft genkkous to the mod ob-
stinate and REFRACTORY. No man, therefore,
I repeat, fhould attempt to reduce the horfe to
obedience, without being perfedl mafter of the
pradlical part ot Equeftrian Education.

In Germany, France, &cc. &c. many of the
nobility and gentry obtain the mofl fage and
experienced mafters that can be procured, and
thefe are required conflantly to attend their riding-
houfes, to preferve their horfes in health, difcipline,
and exercife.

This

astley's equestrian education. 3

This country (inferior to none in Europe for the
beauty of form, excellence of quality, and perfec-
tion of breed, in every fpecies of the horfe, whe-
ther for battle, the manege^ * for drawing, or the
road, &c.) has too much and too long negledled
this moft effential point. The utility of being more
circumfpedl in the choice of able, informed, and
experienced perfons, is apparent, from the great
number of horfes that are fpoiled by the indifcre-
tion of their owners, and the inability of their
trainers and keepers.

If the natural motion, attitude, and demeanour,
of xhe human fpecies be improvable by the art
of dancing, and by military tuition, furely the
natural motions of the horfe may be fo improved,
as to render his pace in pure cadence j f eafy to

himfelf

* Manege, Place where faddle horfes are exercifed, and^
where they are dreffed in the various airs; a!fo every thing ap-
pertaining to the horfe in the art of war. In a figurative fenfe—
Certain fine manners, with grace, addrefs, and elegance, joined
to a perfect knowledge of the ufe, perfections, and imperfe^ions,
(difcipline and combats) of the horfe, and the purity of its aftioa
&c. and it would be of fome benefit to the rifing generation, if
alfo were added — a knowledge of equeftrian exercife, fo far as
appertains to public amufement: of its utility the Author is moft
ferioufly convinced.

f Cadence means the agreeable equality of the walk, the trot,
the gallop ; as alfo the various artificial paces of the horfe. I

B % conceive

4 astley's equestrian education.

himfelf and pleafant to his rider, uniting grace
and elegance. Thus improved, we receive ex-
quiike pleafure in beholding utility and beauty
combined; and it certainly becomes an objedl,
which yields the highe.fi fatisfadlion to an obferver,
endowed with tafte and difcernment.

conceive the rider may be faid to be in cadence^ when his feat
oh horfeback is ftridtly agreeable to the eye ; evtry correfpond-
ing fl£lion of the rider's body, as well as the horfe, may, if re-
gular and conformable to the pure art d'equitation, be called in
cadence^ fimilar to fuch meafure regulated in dancing, &c. Mu-
fical expreffion, or found, certainly belongs to the tuition of the
horfe, which I confider as an index to direft his moft willing
obedience ; more particularly where the animal is tutored to
take up your har, whip, or handkerchief, and the like. Hence
it becomes neceflary, in fome degree, that the profcflbr or rider
have a quick eye, as well as a good mtfical ear, in order to his
acquiiing foiDe idea of what is undi.Tll.>od to be necclfary on the
firfl: point, with regard to regulating hi*; «6lion ; and, on the laft,
to his attaining an idea of (ootiiing and carvfTing immediately on
the leaft compliance on the pirt of the horfe to the will of his
rider. Cadence n\Co, in my fiiin opinion, is the very efTence of
regulating not only the horfe*s natur.il paces, but alfo his artificial
airs: in fliort, everything in which perfcflion and (kill are ne-
ceflary. But from the word cadence being fo fuperficially men-
tioned in literary v;orks, as well as in the riding fchool, one
"would think that the pradical pnrt of the an o{ cadence^ fo far as
it relates to eqneftrian education, was a mere fliadow. * But
I am ftri£l y and firmly of opinion, having derived the greateft
benefit from it in the courfe olf my priidice, that it ought to
be confidered as the ne plus ultra of equeftrian execution, and
generally accepted as fuch by all profcffors of the equeftrian
art.'

It

ASTLEY*S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. 5

It is well known that recruits, taken from the
plough, are, under experienced difciplinarians,
rendered the beft of foldiers ; but fhould you have
to improve or perfed a recruit, who has been be-
fore under bad tuition (fuch I have found by ex-
perience, when in the ifth Light Dragoons), you
will find it fcarce poflible to corredl the bad habits
he contraiSled, or to remove the prejudices he im-
bibed, in favour of thofe erroneous principles.

Thus it is with a horfe that had been under the
tuition of an experienced mafter : it becomes in
the extreme difficult to correcfi his falle habits —
Nothing in fad^ but the mofl inceffant application
and confummate knowledge will prove capable of
efFedling his amendment; the perfevcrance, how-
ever, of an able horfeman will no doubt corrtdf,
in time, his faults, fo as to render him as fervice-
able and accomplifhed, as his nature is capable of
being made.

The prefent mode of training and breaking
horfes is highly reprehenfible, and injurious to
the characfler of a country fo difliaguilhed, as this
is, for the breed of horfes. There is not a fcientific
riding -fchool in this kingdom, nor any regular
profeffor of Equejirian Education: neither are
there any authors who have written on the fubjedi,
nor that have, as yet^ recommended in any of tlieir

> publi-

6 astley's equestrian education.

publications an efFecflual method of teaching horfes
to /land fire ! So that one of the moil ufeful and
neccffary points, which has reference to the art of
war, is at once fhamefully and unaccountably ne-
gle(5led, and that too in a land where military vir-
tue is the natural produce of the foil ! !

We have a Veterinary College eflablifhment,
which I conceive to be of the utmoft importance
to this country ; one would fuppofe an Equeflrian
inftitution would prove ot equal benefit. But to
return to the faults and errors of horfes, which I
apprehend moft frequently occur in the firftftage
of training them ; for horfes poffefs fuch an ex-
traordinary degree of remembrance, as always to
retain a (trong fenfe of cruel or of tender ufage ;
and from this ftrong fdculty of difcrimination they
frequently become docile or ungovernable.

Thus it is neceffary that their tutor or inftrudlor
Ihould poffefs found judgement ; becaufe thofe who
treat them with feverity, they obey with the
greateil reludlance ; while, on the contrary, all
who treat them with tendernefs, will affuredly be
repaid with the utmoft gratitude and n\oft implicit
obedience.

It has been known that cruel inftrudors have
abfolutely been feized in the height of their

vengeance,

astley's equestrian education. 7

vengeance, and killed ! This furely is fufficient
to demonftrate the neceflity of ufing them with

JUDGEMENT, JUSTICE, and MERCY.

But the grand error, and of which I have had
occular proof, in the courfe of my pradlice in
teaching Horfes, is, the defiring and eagerly ex-
pelling too much from them at one time; be it
well underftood, that they fhould be completely
perfected in one leflbn, before you attempt ano-
ther ; this point, I am convinced, is the foundation
of the whole art ; becaufe, if you are over anxious
in teaching them too much on one and the fame
day, you fatigue their attention, you damp their
fpirit : thus are they rendered fo dull, as to be in-
capable of perceiving what you are defirous they
fliould learn ; and this ftupidity being miftaken for
obflinacy and perverfenefs, the initrudor has re-
courfe to untimely chaftifement, which alienates
the affecflions of the creatuie, and renders him {o
indifferent in obeying whatever you delire, that he
executes it with vliible relu(fidnce ; but by reaching
him one and the fame leifon at iliorc intervals, and
rewarding his obedience, g'ving hi.n tinie to ira-
bibe what your intentions are, before you burthen
his faculties with another leiion, he will learn with
cafe to himfelf, and, I ai^. contident, with the
higheil fitisfadlion to you. For it is the f^me with
a horfe as with a human pupij^ n< vcr opprc-fs l]is
talents with more than they are cuicuirjiicd to bear.

Sych

8 ASTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

Such precautions, I have found, have very much
allifled me, during the tuition of my pupils, whom
I have inftruded to perform various new

EQJJESTRIAN PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS ; fuch I may,

without vanity, fay, as have given the higheft fatif-
fadion, not only in Great Britain^ but alfo in
Franca^ Germany^ and on the continent of America.
All of which have immediately fprung from the
adherence to my system.*

Having given thefe general hints, I proceed now
to the particular inflrudlions, neceffary to complete
the fubjedl of this chapter.

The horfe intended to be broken, or, in other
v/oids, brought to his duty, fhould be carefully led

* That equaftrian exercifcs have been long ftudied, and even,
in fome degree, carried into execution, though loft again for fo
long a period as to the year 1765, when I firft exhibited in public,
the following beautiful lines from Homer, will illuftrate more than
a volume written upon the fubje<5l. See the Iliad, by Mr. Pope*
vol, iv. book XV. page 182.

*' So when a horfeman from the wat'ry mead,
** (Skill'd in the manege of the bounding fteed)
" Drives four fair courfers pradlis'd to obey,
*' To fome great city through the public way ;
'* Safe in his art, as fide by fide they run,
*' He flilfts his feat, and vaults from one to one ;
*' And now to this, and now to that he flies,
*' Admiring numbers follow with their eyes!"

to

ASTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. 9

to the place of exercife, which is fuppofed to be a
circle of from eight to ten yards diameter ; care is
to be taken at the fame time, that his Itomach be
not too much loaded with food or waten

Your chief endeavours mud be direded, witK
eafy and deliberate approaches, to convince him,
that neither you, nor your afliftant is his enemy ,
to do this efFecflually, you are to encourage him by
kind words, fuch as, /<?, /o/ foyfol fo, ho! en-
deavouring always to imitate the fame tone of
VOICE, which he will very foon comprehend in a
MOST EXTRAORDINARY MANNER; more particu-
larly if you do not chakge the sound ; alfo
rubbing him, and wiping his eyes and noflrils with
your handkerchief^ giving him to eat a fmall piece
of carrot, or a (lice of a good fvveet apple, and
other familiar inducements, by way of reward.
Here I have only to hint, that in point of fmelling,
tailing, feeing, and hearing, I conceive the horfe
to have the fuperiority over, and, in point of faga-
city, no inferiority to any of the brute creation ;
that is to fay, if fuch fagacity be dircdled by proper
judgement.

But in all thefe endeavours, you mufl be careful
at firft (until your quick eye ih^ll have difcovered
his real difpofition,. not to be too familiar with
him before you have got fome dominion over him,
left he fhould ftrike vou with his feet; which, I

conceive,

lo astley's equestrian education.

conceive, the above rewards will, in fome meafure,
prevent ; — but more of this hereafter.

The apparatus neceffary for this bufinefs, con-
fifts, firft, of a mouthing bridle or fnaffle ; fecond,
a leather flrong pad furcingle with three ftrong
buckles on each fide ; two of which four inches
apart, nearly in a line with the horfe's withers,
the other four, at the fame diflance on each fide
below j alfo between the two firft, and exa^ly in
a line with the horfe*s withers, a ftrong buckle
and billet, for the purpofe of receiving the fnaffle
lein ; to this furcingle a large ring muft be placed,
to receive a ftrong crupper, with a large dock ;
third, a cavejjon •, fourth, two dvong cavejfon ftraps,
buckle and billet at one end, at the other, holes;
fifth, two ditto fnaffle or bridle ftraps, with buckle
and billets at one end, and holes at the other ;
fixth, one hand or cavejfon line of fix or feven
yards long ; with a ftrong buckle and billet at one
end ; the rope about three quarters of an inch
diameter, and three rings faftened to it, but fo as
to play. Firft ring, three feet from the buckle
and billet; fecond, five feet; third, feven feet;*
alfo a fmall bridle or fnaffle line, with a fmall
buckle and billet at the end ; this line runs through

* Moft fadlers are qualified to complete this bufinef?, but
iliouM they not thorouglily comprehend the defcription, the en-
graving, at the end of the book, will more particularly explain it.

the

astley's equestrian education. II

the rings of the cavejfon cord, and buckles to the
fnaffle, or mouthing bit; laftly, a, chambriere, (or
whip,) and a fpur ftick of about two yards long,
the rowel blunt. *

Suppofe you put on the cavejfon^ as above de-
fcribed, alfo the furcingle, with or without the
crupper, as your judgment fhall diredl you ; like-
wife cavejfon and bridle flraps, furthermore the
cavejfon and bridle line.

Bear up his head a little with the bridle or

mouthing bit rein, to the buckle and billet of the

furcingle -, the rein of the bridle (hould have a

buckle, in order to (horten it at pleafure ; the

whole of the bridle and cavejfon ftraps muft, atthe

fame time, be fomewhat tightened ; that is to fay,

three holes ihorter to the hand you intend to work

him to ; and as he forefhortens, and raifes his

liead at the time of adion, your judgement muft

diretfl you ; namely, how much his head ought to

be raifed in point of elegance, as well as his neck

bent, fo as not to impede his adlion -, the greatell

precaution is neceffary to be taken, that neither the

one nor the other give him the leaft uneafinefs, the

firil or fecond day. Caufe him to be led by your

aihftant round the circle ^ fay, in order to your

having greater dominion over him, to the left 5 con-

* See the end of the book.

tinue

12 ASTLEYS EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

tinue the acftion of a good bold walk for three or
four minutes, if he pleafes you in the walk, put
him in the adlion of the trot, continuing it five or
fix minutes. Your afliflant having a drum near
jou, llrike it, as a fignal for him to halt from his
SUPPOSED LABOUR ; if hc difobcy it from fright,
or not underflanding the intention of the fignal,
caufe him to trot round the circle again, in the
fame manner as before, for a few minutes; and
thus repeat the fignal, but not so loud, and
exercife him until he learns to halt in obedience to
it; yourfelf affifling him in this bufinefs, with all
your judgement. Should he exprefs much fear at
the found, endeavour all you can, by yourcareflTes
and encouragement, to convince him that it is not
meant to hurt or to terrify him, but as a kind of
language by which he is to understand your

DESIRES.

In order to imprefs him the deeper and fooner
with the meaning of this language, let it always
be ufed as a fignal for the end of his labour

OR EXERCISE.

The grand fecret is, invariably to ufe a foothing
tone of voice, as before direcfled, and the reward
of an APPLE or carrot, when he ihews obe-
dience.

The

ALTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. IJ

The found, or mufical exprelfion, the horfe mod
readily becomes acquainted with, and the correc-
tion being in a much ftronger and different tone of
voice, fuch as A ! ha! ha! wonderful to sAy,
the horfe readily obeys the one through a hope of
REWARD, and the other through a sense of
FEAR. Somewhat in like manner, we find the.
cart and waggon horfe obey the found. The
London carmen and the provincial waggoners.
dire(5l their horfes to move right and left, &c,

with the DIFFERENCE OF SOUNDS MERELY; nOW

let the Londoner take the countryman's horfes,
and the countryman the Londoner's; or an
Englifhman the horfe of a Frenchman, or vic^.
ver/ay this point will clearly elucidate my argu-.
ment.

Hence arifes the great neceffity of every horfe-
man being thorougly acquainted with the difpoii-
tion of his horfe, more particularly when he is
YOUNG or REFRACTORY. Morcovcr, 1 have con-
fidered fignals of this kind, as the very foundation
or ground-work of inftrucfling horfes to pav/ with

THEIR FEET THE EXACT HOUR AND MINUTE OF

THE WATCH; Dod as an AFFIRMATIVE, and fhake
the head as a negative, to any q^uestion

PROPOSED.

Furthermore, it is the very effence of educating
them, to take up from the eround a handkerchief,

hat,

14 ASTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

hat, whip, fpur, fword, pirtol, or any thing within
the compafs of their abilities, which the fancy of
the inftruclor may conceive either for utility, or
the amufement of fpedators.

Having taught him, by repeated trials, the full
extent of this leffon, which I call, from its being the
firft, letter A. We proceed to teach him the next,
which may be called, by way of illuftration of the
argument, letter B. That is, to excrcife him to
the right, precifely in the fame way and manner as
you did to the left ; ufing the fame fignal, reward,
and gentle punifhment. Care muft be taken to
make his neck bend agreeably ;— likewife, that
his head be neither fixed too high nor too low ; if
the former, place the flraps to the lower buckles ;
if the latter, place them to the upper buckles of
the furcingle; but in all this experience and
JUDGEMENT mufl be your guides; for if he carry
his head too low, and you do not, on the firft day,
corredt this capital fault, it will give you the
GREATEST TROUBLE to raife it hereafter; in my
opinion, a horfe cannot carry his head too high, if
PURE OBEDIENCE and good Si6iion accompany it.
To the military man this may be called a defence
to the body, againft small shot, or the point of
the sword: it certainly, in single combat,
gives the horfeman a superiority over his
opponent above all calculation ; if the head be
too high, it Is very eafy to lower it, for the moment

you

astley's equestrian education. 15

you come to mount him, if you have the lead
fkilJ, you will corredl this point very eafily.

In the leffon to left and right, I give them as
follows : three quarters of an hour gentle exercife
to the right, and half an hour to the left j that is
to fay, (hort leffons of five minutes given each time
both ways, and an interval of reward two or three
minutes between each.

Having thus fettled the management of his head,
and PURE ACTION in the walk and trot,
flridly obferving the general rule, never to let his
CROUP incline to the inside of the circle,
on the contrary, every caution muft be ufed to
prevent it ; care, I repeat, mufl be taken, not to
impede his adlion, nor to corrupt his cadence^ either
in the walk or trot ; and if your circle be lefs than
eight or ten yards diameter, the more judgment is
requiiite to prevent it.

Thus exercifed, the horfe begins to have fome
little knowledge of what you are defirous he ihould
learn; he works with more eafe, gives greater
fatisfadion, and you find him improve fafter, in
proportion as he becomes acquainted with you and
his duty ; more particularly, if you do not difguft
him with too much severity.

When

l6 astley's equestrian education.

When you have exerciied him to be familiar
with the drum, and to follow it, you then, carefling
and rewarding him, proceed precifely in the fame
way and manner (that is to fay, walk and trot,
for I could wifh no galloping to be reforted to
during this particular leflbn) to inftrudl him to
fland the explofion of a piftol — making ufe of a
very fmall charge — and firing of it, at firft, rather
behind you, and on the ground, unperceived by
the horfe; if he obey, be careful to aflifl his incli-
nations when inclinable to halt, by pulling the
cavejfon and bridle-line, and bring him to the
centre of the circle : carefs and reward as before
in the leiTon with the drum, increafing the explo-
iion by degrees to a good charge, in like manner
as you increafe the blow dn the drum-head.

Thus your care and judgement will teach him
to bear the glittering of fmall arms, found of
trumpets, waving of flags, and every thing that
may alarm his sight or hearing.

By perfifting in the foregoing leflbns, four or fix
times a day, for a week or ten days, you will re-
duce him to obedience, however (lubborn he may
be ; more particularly, if your rewards overbalance
the punifhment, and the latter be inflidled in pro-
per time, and with judgement.

Some

astley's equestrian education. 17

Some horfes, it muft be co-nfefled, require a
confiderable time to convince them, amid all thefe
alarms, that you mean nothing inimical or un-
friendly to them. But ftill, by perfeverance, you
will diflipate all their appreheniions, and render
them fubfervient to every thing you can polTibly
require, more particularly when great temperence
is ufed ; and nothing promotes the learning and
acquiefcence of the horfe more (I again and again
repeat it), than affording him time to refledl on
what you require from him ; and on the difference
of being treated with kindnefs, when he obeys wil-
lingly, and a little feverity, when he refufes with
obftinacy and perverfenefs ; he will then make his
eledlion, and choofe rather to perform what he
knows will not only pleafe, but receive the en-
couragement OF HIS MASTER.

Exercifmg him in the circle, he prefently finds is
a SPECIES OF punishment : and the beating of
the drum, firing the piflol, &c. a kind of re-
lease: time (hould therefore be given him to dif-
criminate between the good and the evil, which
is thus prefented for his choice ; or how can you
expecfl he will be able to know which he fhould
REFUSE or which accept ? When the horfe com-
prehends the difference, he will gradually flop,
even on a fmart gallop, the moment he hears any
of the above fignals moR cordially, at your plea-
fure ; he will either halt, diminifh his adlion, or

c approach

l8 ASTLEy's ECtUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

approach with the greatefl readinefsthe very obje(fl
that was before fo much his terror.

Your horfe being fo far advanced in this leiTon
B, and the walk and trot being completed, pro-
ceed, as before, to teach him to gallop right and
left, obferving his cadence^ and attending to the
llridl unifon of the acflion of his legs, as well as the
graceful pofition of his head and neck : this done,
proceed with the fame punifhment; that is to fay,
the galloping round the circle every way properly,
obferving the fiignal to relieve him from fuch pu-
nifhment, and the reward immediately of the
CARROT OR APPLE. I prcfs its being given in-
stantaneously, becaufe the least delay im-
pedes AND TOTALLY DESTROYS THE EFFECT

INTENDED to be produced by fuch reward.
Firft, becaufe the horfe *s eye is fixed upon you ;
and, fecondly, it is your pleafure that ought to
guide him in his obedience ; therefore, you ought
to be before him in discernment, which, if not
properly applied, may tend to give you fome
trouble.

Care muft betaken, during your exercifing him,
that he be not fweated too much, and that he be
never brought out for a fecondleflbn till thoroughly
dry ; nor that more than a pint of water be given
him at a time, and very little hay ; inftead of
which, two or three handfuls of corn, at the end

of

ASTLEYS EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. ig

of each leflbn, will greatly alTift you. Here it is
indifpenfably neceffary to obferve, that, in all this
exercife, you muft give him time fufficient in the
intervals to recover his wind ; he fhould not be
exercifed again, until you perceive his lungs have
recovered the proper tone of refpiration ; for if
you force him to repeat his leflbn whilft he is
panting for breath, you will inevitably teach

HIM THE MOST VICIOUS AND PERVERSE HABITS,

and DESTROY his EMULATION : being exhaufted
in ftrength and fpirits, without having time allow-
ed him to recruit himfelf, cannot fail of caufing his
exertions to be fo languid, as to render it impofli-
ble he fhould perfcdl himfelf in any lelfon you wifli
him to be taught. The bad habits thus acquired,
you will find exceedingly difficult to corredl after-
wards ; the greater care fhould confequently be
ufed to prevent this inconvenience, which can only
be done by particularly obferving the caution
above mentioned during the firfl eight days.

The next leflbn the horfe is to be taught is, to
carry the faddle with or without a crupper : but
I would recommend the crupper and buckle fur-
cj ngle to be put over the faddle ; then place a bag
containing a bufhel of fand on the faddle, half at
each end ; but fhould the horfe be too refradlory
to have either the faddle or the fixnd-bag laid acrofs
his back, tie up his near foot with a cord, ufing
every friendly means, as before recommended, to

c 2 quie:

20 ASTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

quiet his apprehenftons, until he has permitted you
to place properly all that you defire on him ; you
mufl: be careful not to ufe any violence in this
part of the leflbn.

When all is thus placed, untie his foot, which
is only drawn up to prevent his having the power
of kicking you or your afliflant ; exercife him
each way, that is, right and left, in the walk, trot,
and gallop, ftiil obferving t}ie fignals, rewards, and
punifhments, as before direded.

Having given him a tolerable leffon with the
fand-bag, take it off, in order to let your rough'
rider or any other perfon mount, and exercife him
as before ; during which you mufl hold the cavejfon
rein, and by every friendly means endeavour to
win his confidence and obedience. Let him, in
this part of the lellbn, be only walked the firfl
and fecond morning ; but fliould he not willingly
fuffer your rough-rider to mount, or, when mount-
ed, not carry him as he or you defire, then place
the fand'bag on him again, and gallop himfeverc-
ly, to convince him of what he makes himfelf
fuffer from his difobedience.

When you have brought him, by thefe means,
to let you or your ailiflant mount him, let him be
ridden by your rough-rider every two hours, ob-
ferving that, if he prove refradlory, you fiift exer-
) cife

ASTLEYS EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. 21

cife him with the fand-bag ; this will make him
the more defirous of being ridden gently, than of
carrying this weight, under which he finds himfelf,
as I before obferved, fo uncomfortable.

I would particularly recommend all quarrels to
be avoided between the inftru(5lor and his horfe,
during his teaching him thefe leffons i but yet, I
would not advife you to fl:and inadlive with the
whip in your hand ; the horfe may confider this
kind of indulgence as arifing more from fea]^ than
from humanity : and if he fhould once think you
are really afraid of him, you will find he will ex-
ercife every means to convince you, that he con-
fiders himfelf your master, instead of ac-
knowledging, by IMPLICIT obedience, that

you ARE HIS.

However, in teaching him where the fuperiority
lies (I cannot defift from repeating), be fure to ufe
your power of difcipline with justice and with
mercy. The horfe can refledl ; — he can difcrimi-
nate between dcferved chaftifement and unpro-
voked feverity ; and if you find it neccfl'ary to pu-
nifh him for his difobedience with the v;hip, fpur,
&c. it muft be on the moft urgent occafions, and
with the greateft moderation.

The horfe being indrudled in this third flage of
the bufjiiefs. next proceed to teach him the fourth.

This

22 ASTL&Y S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

This confiils in making him thoroughly obedient
to the bridle-hand ;* and the various preffures of
the leg, &c.

And in order to adjuft his natural paces ; the
WALK, trot, and gallop, in a jufl and ele-
gant manner; alfo the teaching him to rein back,
turn to the right and right about -, turn to the left,
and left about, on his own ground ; and to leap,
Handing, or flying, without which, no eflential fer-
vices can be expe6led from him : but to accom-
pli{h*thefe points the horfeman mufl have a perfedl
pliability and command of his own body, other-

* Bridle-handy ^c. Comprehending its numerous requifitep,
namely, the elegant and delicate appui : the neceffery aids,
&c. ; for, 1 confider the appui a kind of talegraph-communica-
tion between the bridle-hand and the horfe's mouth ; that is to
fay, if the horfe's mouth be delicate, frefh, fenfible, and obe-
dient to the bridle hand ; but on the contrary, if the mouth be
hard, callous, and the horfe dlfobedient, the appui is totally loft,
and of courfe cannot operate j thus, from the laft caufe, nothing
butdeftrudtion ftares the rider in the face j particularly in single
COMBAT, &c. in the field of honour, and in the service of his
COUNTRY. The neceflary aids I confider fuch, as turning to
the KJGHT, to the left, &c. The latter, perfons of moderate
capacity eafily attain, but my great experience in the Equeftrian
Art thoroughly convinces me, the complete knowledge of the
appui can only be acquirejd with confiderable difficulty : and fur-
thermore, 1 am of opinion, that this highly neceflary part of
Ec^ESTRiAN Education can only be attained in the Manege,
by great practice, under judicious, experienced, and able pro-
fciTors,

wife

ASTLEYS EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. 2^

wife he will never be able to adjuft and regulate
the different paces which are required of him.

Perfift in the be fore- mentioned exercifes until he
is thoroughly fearlefs of all objedls that before ufed
to be his terror ; for the teaching him to be familiar
with drums> trumpets, flags, fire-arms, &c. pre-
vents his ftartling at any unufual noife, or uncom-
mon objedls on the road. — The more frequently
he is thus exercifed, the fooner will he attain per-
fedion in his duty.

Moft men, however, are liable to be fo much
miftaken in the proper method of correcfling a
horfe, which ftartles at any objedl on the road,
that they fpurand whip the intimidated animal up
to whatever has thus frightened him.— By this
means, they not only rifk fpoiling, or breaking the
fpirit of the horfe, but they hazard their own
fafety.

It was by this improper and injudicious mode,
that Mr. Astley, furgeon, at Putney, loft his life.
His horfe ftartled at a broad- wheel v/aggon on the
road, Mr. A. adopted the ufual method of fpurring
his horfe, until he made him approach the waggon ;
which he no fooner did, than the wind gathering
under the tilt, raifed it in fuch a manner, that it
alarmed the horfe fo much, as to caufe him to
throw his rider inftantly under the wheels, which

paiTed

24 astley's equestrian education.

paffed over and killed him on the fpot. The
danger of this method is fufficiently evinced by this,
and a thoufand limilar examples. By obliging the
horfe in this hafty manner to approach what terri-
fies him, you increafe his fears, in the proportion
of his proximity to the objecfl, and when he is dri-
ven clofe to it, if he have any fpirit, you will find
that he will fo fuddenly fly from it, as to render it
almoft impoflible for the bcft of horfemen to keep
their feats.

What renders it fo difficult is, that the rider
having accomplifl:ied his defire of forcing his horfe
clofe to the objedl, thinks himfelf no longer in
danger ; and thus is fo eafy and carelefs in his feat,
that when the horfe flartles in this unexpedled
manner, it is more furprizing that he fhould not
be throyn, than that he fhould.

Having fhewn the danger of this imprudent
'method, it is proper I fhould give fuch diredlions
as may cure the horfe of this vice, without en-
dangering the life or limbs of the rider. When he
ftartles at any objed, inflead of increafing his fear,
by forcing him to what he is thus endeavouring to
fhun, or rifking yourfelf being thrown over a bridge,
under a carriage, into a pit, &c. you fhould chaflife
him at a proper distance from the said
OBJECT, until his fear fo much abates, that you
perceive him rather inclined to approach of him-
felf.

ASTLEYS EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. 25

felf. Then you may diredl hira gently to it ; and^
as he goes nearer and nearer, encourage his confi-
dence with the moll gentle words and endearing
carefles. In this manner, you will find, when he
has gone entirely up to the objedl, his fpirits will
be fo calmed, that you will not be in the lead
danger of flying from it, in a more violent and
dangerous manner than he did when it firft caught
his fight or hearing : but ihould this firfl trial prove

UnfuCCefsful, it must be RiPEATEO, UNTIL YOU
HAVE OBTAINED YOUR DESIRE. In this yOU mufl

be fure to obferve never to force him to the obje<5l,
until you find his fears have fubfided, and that his
confidence has returned.

To fhew the value of having horfes properly
trained and difciplined, it may not be improper
here to obferve that I have, feveral times, ^bought,
at different repofitories, horfes, for a very incon-
fiderable fiim, in confequence of their not being
completely correcfted of thofe vices, which they
derive from their natural Ihynefs and untamed
fpirits : for, when they have been found to ftartle
at any objedl they meet, and are undifciplined,
little ufe, profit, or convenience will they aflFord
to their owners, who are thus happy in availing
themfelves of the firfl opportunity of felling them
for what they can poffibly get offered.

Thus

26 ASTLEY*S EQUESTRIAN EDU CATION.

Thus have I bought the bell horfes, and for a
few guineas ! The danger of riding horfes of this
defcription is fo great, as to render them, indeed,
fcarcely worth keeping by any, except by the moft
experienced horfeman. It is pnly by fuch, that
they can be governed or mounted with fafety, and
with any profpedl of having them correfted of
their vicious habits ; and as tfe^re are very few
riders, who have any claim to the title of horfe-
mcn, the difficulty of rendering fuch horfes ufeful
is Hill the greater, and confequently tends to re-
duce the price in proportion.

Horfes of this denomination I have never bought,
unlefs I difcovered they had good form, great ac-
tivity, and much fpirit j for without thefe qualifi-
cations, all the difcipline and inftrudlion, the befl
mafler can give them, will prove of no poffible
avail. **

CHAP,

ASTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. 27

CHAP. II.

Dialogue on Equejirian Education.

INTRODUCTION.

It is but too true that the fcience of the Manege
d'Equitation is confiderably in arrears, with refpedl
to the execution and pure cadence^ to be obferved,
not only in regulating the natural avflion, byt alfo
the artificial paces of the horfe.

I have ever evinced a zeal to convince the rifing
generation of the great benefits naturally to be
expeded from the gentle treatment of the brute
creation in general, and of well and deliberately
confidering their temper and difpofition ; ftridlly
having an eye to the grand owt^oxk-cadence ; an
cffential point which few perfons trouble them-
felves about, notwithftanding the great advantage
that may be derived from its practice.

The

28 ASTLEY*S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

The late Earl of Pembroke^ in the year 1759,
placed me on horfeback in the Manege^ at Wilton j
my worthy friend, the late Sir Sidney Meadows, who
laboured late and early in promoting the fcientific
part of Equeftrian Education, feeing the minuet
danced by two horfes, mounted by myfelf and
fon, exprefled himfelf to me as follows ; " I fee,
Aftley, your horfe is feniible of the aids to a very
great degree of perfedion ; and you are alfo truly
feniible of the encouragement neceffary to gain
his acquiefcence; continue, Aftley, to confult his
inclination, and the horfe will take a pride to
obey."

It is underftood by profeffors that if the expe-
rienced horfeman but touch the intelligence of the
theory of this honourable and ufeful fcience, the
end will be anfwered.

My late general, George Auguftus Elliot, (Lord
Heathfield,) as well as his fon, the prefent gallant
Lord, alfo the prefent gallant Earl of Pembroke,
and the brave General Floyd were with me in the
old Equeftrian School; and I know well thefe
heroic noble charadlers moft anxioufly wifh for
fcientific fchools, in order to promote a more ex-
tenflve knowledge of Equeftrian Education -, and I
am convinced they would afford every alfiftance to
profeffors of this art.

Prejudices

astley's equestrian kducation. 29

Prejudices and ill-grounded opinions, ignorant
oppofition, and crofs tempered difficulties, have,
I conceive, in fome degree tended to obftrucfi a
knowledge fo ufeful, and fo highly necclTary to the
fafety of the horfeman.

The late Lord Chancellor Clarendon, in his
excellent dialogue on education, among his tradls,
page 325, ftrongly recommends the eflablifhingof
riding- fchools, both at Oxford and Cambridge.

He obferves that fuch eftablifhments are worthy
of royal bounty : I think his words ought to
have been printed in golden charadlers. — I hope it
will not be long before fuch inftitutions will be
formed, not only in Oxford and Cambridge, but
alfo in every great town throughout England,
Scotland, and Ireland, in like manner as they are
in Germany, France, &c. In my travels, taking
Bruffels, Vienna, &c. in my road to Belgrade, in
1782, I had the honour to be introduced, (by
fending my name to the Profeflbr) into every prin-
cipal Manege in thofe countries. Sir Robert
Murray Keith, then minifter plenipotentiary at the
court of Vienna, did me the honour of introducing
me to the Emperor. His Majefly expreffed him-
fclf very defirous of feeing me on horfeback •, I
immediately complied, and obferved to his Ma-
jefty, " That I (hould be highly obliged to his
Majefty, if he would permit me to amount anold

horfe ;

£0 ASTLEY*S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

horfe ; for, added I, being a young horfeman,
two who are both unexperienced, might not afford
his Majefty much pleafure." Accordingly an aged
Manege horfe was brought me, equipped with a
half peak faddle; on my taking a view of the
whole, I found (in their hurry) they had not placed
either faddle or bridle properly •, I therefore ad-
jufted them myfelf, ufing every precaution as I
would with a young colt ; on which one of the
affiftants told me, I had no occafion to be afraid of
the horfe ; — I very politely uncovered and thanked
him — repeating thefe words : " The horfe never
having feen me before, may fhew fome figns of his
fagacity ; and that I always made it a point, till
the animal was convinced of my difpofition to-
wards him, to adl with precaution, that I con-
ceived there was more merit in preventing an ac-
cident, than in curing one." The Emperor re-
plied in French, (conceiving I did not fpeak that
language,) as follows, turning himfelf to the af-
liftant : " You fee, fir, the gentleman is right, and
I wifh this meafure of prudence was generally
adopted.**

Stirrups and every thing being adjufted, I
mounted, keeping in view the pure Equeftrian
fyftem, uncovering, &c. to his Majefty; I recovered
my whip, and walked the horfe right and left up
the middle of the Manege ; made feveral fmall
circles both w^ays j finding my horfe thoroughly

obedient

ASTLEYS EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. 3I

obedient to my hand and heel, his head lofty, and
that, by the ufual aid, I could forefhorten him at
pleafure, I difpenfed with the trot, and encou-
raged him to the pajjage *, increafing each way to
qt^ick adlion, terre-a-terrc in various figures, in-
clining by my aids to the pirouette \ knowing
that the greateft fkill was neceffary to accomplifli
this artificial pace, the execution of which I con-
fider as the ne plus ultra of pure cadence ; the
horfe readily obeyed ^ after a moment I caufed
him to walk, advancing him in this natural
pace till I came between the pillars ; I raifed his
head, preffed his fides, and put him into the piaffe ;
uncovering, I thanked his Majefty for conde-
fcending to honour me with his approbation ;
which his Majefty was pleafed to return, paying
me the higheft compliment. — I flopped the horfe,
difmounted, and wiped his face with my handker-
chief, fhook the fnaffle, (for be it underftood, it
was with the running fnaffle I rode him,) and gave
him a couple of apples to eat, which being
obferved by his Majefty, he afked me which of
the two was better for horfes, carrots or ap-,
PLEs ? I informed his Majefty, that carrots
were excellent, but I conceived that an apple
greatly aflifted in refrefhing the mouth, and that it
was one of the rewards I made ufe of to gain their
affedlions. — His Imperial Majefty fmiled, and re-
quefted me to walk into the palace.

Dialogue

32 ASTLEYS EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

Dialogue between the Author, a Professor
of the Mmiege D' Equitation^ and a young
Cavalry Officer.

Officer. HAVING a long time entertained
a defire to learn the art of training the horfe, 1 am
anxious to know what are the qualifications ne-
ceflary for attaining the knowledge of a fcience,
which, from its importance^ claims at once the
patronage of the fovereign, • and the particular
attention of the fubjedl.

• Professor. Your intention to acquire the
l:'nowledge of an art, the mod noble, and of exer-
cifes the mod ufeful, redounds greatly to your cre-
dit j infomuch, as they amufe the mind, while
they give grace to the body. The information
neceffary to be acquired, for perfedling you in this
fcience, Mr. Aftley is amply qualified to commu-
nicate.

Officer. Of his ability, I entertain not the fmall-
eft doubt ; I have feen, with pleafure, his equeftrian
amufements, both at home and abroad ; he has
obtained great reputation in that art. — Mr. Aftley,
I beg therefore, in the firil place, to be informed,
what are the proper means to obtain a knowledge
of the cavalry-exercife ? In the next, I will thank
you to explain the affertion of the ProfeiTor, name-

ASTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. 23

ly, that this exercife is not only neceffary to the
body, but to the mind ?

Mr. AsTLEY. I am happy to hear that you
feel yourfelf inclined to acquire a perfed know-
ledge of the fcience of Equeftrian Education. To
fatisfy this laudable curiofity, it may be remarked,
that all fciences and arts, acquired, as it were, by
reafon, are obtained amidfl repofe, uninterrupted
by any torment, agitation-, or uneafy apprehen-
iion ; thus affording the fcholaran opportunity, as
well in the abfence as prefence of the mafter, of
profiting by the leffons, which he has received —
but in the cavalry exercife it is widely different,
for that cannot be obtained without mounting the
horfe. — Here the pupil has to encounter all the
extravagances belonging to a powerful, and per-
haps a vitious animal ; and the perils which
arife from his fury and floth, joined to the appre-
henfions which may refult from them. Thefe can
only be fhunned by obtaining a knowledge of the
fcience, and poffeffing a good difpafition and found
judgement; without which, he will not difcover,
(and which is neceffary to be known,) that, in order
to fucceed with the horfe, it is abfolutely requifite
to be acquainted with his difpoiition, and with his
vices ; and with the fame readinefs and prompti-
tude that a fcholar enters into the fpirit of an
author, whom he is anxious to underftand. Hence
you may difcover, how far this fcience is ufcful to

D the

34 ASTLEYS EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

the mind ; lince it inftrudts and accuftoms It to
execute, in the mod perfecfl order, all its fundions,
furrounded with the buflle, agitation, and conti-
nual fear of danger ; the only method of fitting a
horferaan to the performance of the like opera-
tions in the field, amid the many hazards which
there furrou nd him.

Relative to the advantages, which the body
derives from a frequent ufe of this exercife, it is to
be remarked, that it gives a pliability to its mem-
bers, and improves the conftitution ; but it is ne-
celTary to live foberly and regularly, free from de-
bauchery, and, indeed from every excefs : for if
the conftitution be at all impaired, fuccefs in horfe-
mandiip is utterly unattainable.

Professor. 1 am perfedlly fatisfied with the
remarks of Mr. Aft ley, who is affuredly in poflef-
fion of every requifite for the attaining a perfecSl
knowledge of that mofl: ufeful art; fuch as relates
to the cavalry and to the fafety of the individual
in attack and defence -, — and I am convinced that,
fo far as an acquaintance with the theory can
alTift the young horfeman, the fyftem of Mr. Aflley
is the only one to which he can-turn his at-
tention.

Offickr. I believe I underhand the points on
which we have treated^ and I wifh to know

astley's equestrian education. 35

how, in the firfl inflance, Mr. Aftley inftruds liis
fcholar ?

Mr. AsTLEY. The major part of mankind are,
generally fpeaking, endowed with the capacity of
performing in fome degree, in the different exer-
cifes invented for their amufement; fome, how-
ever, more expertly than others, efpecially thofe
to whom nature has given a good underftanding,
limbs fupple, and a body well proportioned ; every
way defirable for obtaining the pure l^nowledge,
requiiite for the equeftrian art dlftindly.

Officer. What fized perfon do you coniider
as the beft adapted to this exercife ?

Mr. AsTLEY. I give the preference to the
middle fize, provided he be fteady, light, and of
fuitable vivacity ; he being the beft adapted to
afford pleafure to the horfe ; the larger fized man
is, in general, not fo firm, and from being too
corpulent, deprives the horfe of that pleafure,
which he would receive, if under the inftrudioa
of one of the former clafs ; hence arifes the
maxim, that " to perform well and with a

GOOD GRACE, the HORSE, AS WELL AS THE
HORSEMAN, SHOULD AND MUST TAKE MUTUAL
PLEASURE IN THE EXERCISE." But although

men of fhort flature are the moft firm on horfe-
back, that is the fole advantage they poffefs i

D 2 for

36 ASTLEy's equestrian EDUCATION".

for not Baving, generally fpeaking, fufficient
power, they cannot enforce obedience on all oc-
cafons; and this the horfe foon difcovers, by his
wonderful fagacity, and refufes to obey, from a
knowledge that he cannot receive the chaftifement
due to his difobedience. If, however, as is fome-
times the cafe, the neceffary qualifications be found
united in a perfon of the middle fize, he cannot
fail to infure fuccefs to the greatefl: extent of his
wifhes, whether his views be dire6led to the purfuit
of glory in the field of battle, or to the more
homely amufements of the chafe.

Officer. In what manner fhould a horfeman
be habited ?

Mr. AsTLEY. It is far from being my defire to
reftrain any perfon from dreffing according to his
fancy ; perfuaded, that men of found judgement,
will always fludy utility, and adopt that befi: fuited
to the occafion ; but, fince long experience has
taught me to avoid that which incommodes the
body in the execution of its fundions, I (hall
briefly flate, that the fafhions of the day are to be
avoided, when found to operate to the difadvan-
tage of the horfeman; I prefer thofe only, which
do not deprive the rider of the free ufe of his limbs,
nor obftrucl the horfe while under tuicion,

Officeri

ASTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. 37

CER. What ai
quired of the fcholar ?

Officer. What are the fii'ft things to be re

Mr. AsTLEY. Nothing can be more unpleafant
than to fee a man on horfeback in an ungraceful
polition ; and too much care can;iot be taken in
the manner of luting, to avoid bad habits, which,
once eflablifhed, are not eaflly removed To con-
ftitute the pure horfeman, the fcliolar mufl acquire
by practice and obfervation, the methods of drelling
and exercifing all kinds of horfes in the various
departments of the manege^ and under able pro-
feffors j he muft become acquainted with their
flrength, inclinations, habits, perfedlions, and ini-
perfe(5lIons, as alfo with their nature in the flricfleil:
fenfe of the expreflion.

Arrived at this knowledge, he will foon dif-
cover the powers and capacity of a young horfe,
and train it accordingly, whether for burthen,
DRAUGHT, the ROAD, or FIELD * in the execution
of which, it is proper to remark, that patience
and refolution, gentlenefs and force, (when re-
quired} are togovern his condudl.

Officer. Pray explain how a pure horfeman
ought to place himfelf on horfeback ?

Mr. AsTLKY. Having taken his feat, he holds
the bridle in his left handj the thumb above, ani

38 ASTLE\'*S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

I

the Jittle finger underneath, in order to feparate it ;
at the fame time adjuring it with the right hand,
to form it into a proper length •, he muft thengrafp
and fix it to its place, which is about three fingers
above the pommel of the faddle : on the faddle he
Ifliould fit upright, touching it, as it were, only in
the centre ; and gaiety fhould mark every move-
ment. His (houlders fhould be kept down; his
breaft forward; his elbows at a fhort, but equal,
eafy diftance from his body ; his right hand within
four or five fingers from his left; holding in the
former his v;hip, pointed upwards, but inclining a
little towards the left ear of the horfe ; his thigh
advanced and his feet firm, but unconftrained, in
the flirrups, with the heels turned rather out, fo as
to expofe the feams of his boots: two things ne-
ceffary to be remarked, in order to their being
AVOIDED, are, the bringing the fhoulder too for-
ward, and the turning out the heel, to keep ,the
rowel of the fpur from the belly of the horfe, left,
by a fudden effort of the animal, he might prick
hinifelf, and increafe his fury : thefe notions, as
they are wrong, ought to be reprobated; fince by
fhiunning fuch pradices, a pliantnefs of body, and
its due equilibrium on the faddle, are, alone, to
be acquired. Such is the pofition in which I wifh
to place my fcholar, as the only one calculated to
give him that grace, without which he cannot be
ftyled A FINE FIGURE ON HORSEBACK; uor ac-
quire that power over the horfe, fo neceffary on

all

ASTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. ^^

ail occafions; of the truth of this affertion, the
following remark is a fufficient proof: — la turning
to the right, the rider turns the ivrifl of the bridle-
hand, with the nails upward^ letting fall the whip
on the heck, and this without raifing the elbow,
left it fhould be found neceflary to check the horfe
for lazinefs; which is done by ftriking him upon
the left fhoulder, thereby caufmg him to take a
firmer polition on his haunches, and to raife himfelf
forward; or if the rider wifh to bring his head to
the left, he muft obferve the contrary : in either
cafe, care muft be taken neither to incommode
the horfeman, nor the horfe, fo as to make cither
quit that graceful pofition, which it is neceffary
mutually to preferve.

Officer. I clearly underftand you — but I wifh
to learn more diftindly the rules, wlilcli you ob-
ferve, to give that grace, you and your pupil pof-
fefs; and thofe, alfo neceiiliry, to train (with that
facility for which you are fo much eueemed,) the
different horfes intrufted to your care?

Mr. AsTLEY. It is impoftibleto inRrucSl a man
and a horfe at one and the fame time ; for the very
plain reafon, becaufe they are both ignorant. — I
prefer, however, to inftrucfl the rider firii; and for
tin's obvious reafon : — The fcience of horiemanfhip,
as far as it relates to eqjjestrian amusement,
never arrived at that pcrfcdion, which it has

at

40 ASTLEY S EQUESTRIA>J EDUCATION.

at prefent attained. In early times, when the art
was in its infancy, the horfe was only inftruded in
the three paces of walk, trot, and gallop;
in after ages, experience taught our brave ancef-
tors that the terre-a-terre, courbettes^ balotades^ croti-
padeSy cahrioles^ &c. were neceffary for felf defence,
in lingle-combat, as well as to acquire a greater
command of body.

But in commencing with a young fcholar, I
inftrucfl him in the different movements of the
horfe, in its various natural paces •, in the true ufe
of the bridle-hand; in the delicacy of aids (as
they are termed) ; how and when they are to be ap-
plied i and when chaftifement is to be inflided :
this I do by placing him on a well-trained horfe,
the better to explain the different movements,
which one, not judicioufly dreflfed, would attempt
to oppofe, to the certain injury of both. Hence
arifes the reafon for which I prefer, in the firfl
inftance, to infirudl the man, that he may avoid
the dangers to be encountered by his being fcated
on a young, and perhaps, a reflive horfe, and alfo
to prevent him from contrading any bad habits
nnderan unexperienced rider.

Officer. I approve very much of the reafons,
you have afligned for inflrucling the man firfl i
fmce'it appears that the horfe, being well trained
atFords him that afTiflance and confidence not to be

derived

ASTLEy's EQiJESTRIAN EDUCATION. 4I

derived from one of the oppofite defcription : — but
to avoid giving you the trouble of a farther relation
of the method you employ to inftrudl the pupil on
fuch a horfe, I will thank you to flate the plan you
purfue, when a perfoa fufiiciently qualified to
perform the various exercifes in your prefence,
takes one to break for the purpofes before de-
fer! bed.

Professou. Much, I have often remarked,
depends upon the inclination, tlie fpirit, the ca-
pacity of the fcholar, and equally as much may be
advanced with regard to the horfe.

Mr. AsTLRY. Exadlly f o ; and in order to dif-

cover his temper, the eyes mufl: be minutely in-

fpev5led, with a view to find out his force, and his

vices^ if he have any. — His modes of defence miiffc

be afcertained, together with the adion, which he

employs when inclined to difobedience ; and his

a(5lion, when his paffion has fubfided. Until this

information can be obtained, the man and horfe

cannot be faid to have eftablifhed their friendfliip,

and patience, with a fund of refolution, on the

part of the' performer, are the only means to elFeifl

it. I again repeat — patience- to difcover and cor>

red the trifjing faults of a, horfe, and refolution,

when ncceflary to puniili them. — But it is worthy

of rem.ark, that there is as great an impropriety in

chadifing

42 ASTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION".

chaflifing him, when not really guilty of an error,
as there is in withholding corredtion, when through
ignorance, inattention, or paflion, he refufes to
obey.

Officer. I am perfecflly fatisfied with thefe
reafons, the more fo, as they are given previoufly
to our coming to the pradical part ; but I believe,
it would not be improper to ftatehere, the method
you adopt in feleding your horfes for the different
ufes to which they are applied,

Mr. AsTLEY. Italy, once famous for horfes,
furniihed a great many to the neighbouring na-
tions i — the Spanifh breed, too, was ever in high
eflimation ; — Turkey always had, and ftill has, ex-
cellent cattle ; very few, however, are allowed to
be jexported ; — Germany, and the Low Countries,
poffefs a hardy race ; — and fome (though not many)
there are in France, that defervedly have their ad-
mirers alfo. — The Barb, from its many excellent
qualities, has been introduced into moll countries;
and it is from this horfe that the prefent Englifh
race may he faid to have derived that fuperiority
fo peculiar to themfelves : provided, however, a
horfe be well made, with handfome legs and feet,
fufficiently flrong and adlive, according to the duty
required of it, and (what is highly neceffary,) of a
goou difpofition, I care little, if at all, from what
country it comes. — I muft, neverthelefs, acknow-
ledge,

ASTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. 43

ledge, that the more it partakes of the breed of
the Barb, the more it is to be efteemed.

Professor. Mr. Aftley has wifely chofen the
Barb; but I have difcovered that this horfe, ge-
nerally fpeaking, has a very tender mouth : for
this, however, he will tell you there is a remedy,
iince a good riding-mafter is in poflTeflion of means
to aflift it in this point, by making ufe of certain
artificial bits, invented to prepare the mouth for
the reception of the real ones : with refpedi to
their utility, I can declare that the Barb has in a
fhortertime than any other horfe acquired a perfedl
knowledge of the movements and manoeuvres re-
quired of him, and which he has executed with a
grace, of which no defcription can poUibly convey
an adequate idea.

Officer. The rare qualities which you defcribe
this horfe to poflefs, make me particularly defirous
of knowing how one of this defcripcion is treated
in the acflion of drelling it.

Mr. AsTLEY. I do not call a horfe trained,
until it be perfecftly obedient to the hand and heel,
quietly fuifering itfc-lf to be dire<Sled in its various ^
miOvements, according to its force and vigour, at
the will of the ri-der; for a horfe muft be pallive
and have no volition. The mind of a horfe maybe
compared to the bloom on fruit, once corrupted it

is

44 ASTLE'V' S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

is deflroyed for ever ; and that gentlenefs of difpo-
iition which it before poiTeffed gives way to vice,
which the horfe cherifhes to his own deftrudion,
and oftentimes to the very material injury of that
inllrucftor, who has the temerity to attempt again
the reducing him to obedience. Having found
by experience that it is with no fmall degree of
difficulty the horfe is inflrudled in the good voltes^
as well as in the terre-a-terre (in doing which
much depends on the eye and knowledge/ of the
rider, aud in the choice of the ground), I firft
teach him thofe exercifes in the circle and on the
fquare -, bringing him, by little and little, to endure
the bit, by placing a fmall rope in his mouth, and
ufing a cavejjon made of cord. — In thefe exercifes
I employ two men, one to hold a long line ufed
on the occafion, thG other sl chambriere ; the latter,
walking by his fide, caufes him to approach the
fpot determined by the length of the line,and, ar-
rived there, he turns with the croup out of the
circle, the head facing the centre, to which his eye
is naturally diredled. — Thus he is accuftomed to a
very good habit, that of obferving his track in per-
i^e6\~Ttidence, right or left, whether the croup be
diredlcd toward the centre or the head.

Professor. Mr. Aftley is perfedlly right in
noticing the great difficulty' there is in turning the
horfe, anddireding Iiis eyes, w^hich is the founda-
tion of the voltes ; for very frequently I have known

Jiim

ASTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. 45

him to avoid the hand, when taking a polition on
his haunches be has formed a quarter or a half
volte with fuch a line, but never the incire tour.
Sometimes, indeed, I havefeen him, as if foramufe-
ment fake, make two or three coiirbettes^ cahrioksy
or balotades. — But mofi; horfes have a particular
kind of gift, and in nothing more do they differ
than in their difpofitions , yet it is remarked that
the movement of turning is the moil difficult.

Mr. AsTLEY. That which my friend has ob-
ferved refpedling the reafon for my commencing
with the moll difficult part of the exercife, flyled,
changing in the voltes^ is ftridtly juft ; and it is
very effential to pay the greatefl attention to the
choice of the ground, fo far as relates to a true
circle, or fquare of fuch line as the horfe is re»
quired to work on in perfedlion. Having, in part,
fucceeded in this movement, I take him to the
pillar (or a round table as a fubftitute), and there
exercife him right and left in the walk, two or
three days, without inflitfling any punifhment with
the whip : in the next place, I employ him ten or
twelve at the trot, and it is at this period that he
fhews his nature, force, inclination, and docility ;
by which I difcover (and the better without a rider
on his back) the particular fervice for which he is
adapted; I fay, the better without a rider, as he
is then more mafler of hlmfelf, and has the greater
power and inclination to oppofe the horfeman.

When

46 astley's equestrian education.

When in the trot or gallop he muft not be prelTed
too hard, nor kept too long at it at one time, left
the foot of one leg fhould ilrike the other, and by
caufing pain induce him to fet up a defence, and
rcfufe to obey. — When he goes freely in the walk
and trot (which is eaftly obferved by his cadence
and gaiety), he may be put into the gallop, and
occafionally into the terre-a-terre. — But too much
attention cannot be direcfled to the circumftance of
keeping the horfe in good wind, fince an oppo-
fition to refpiration will induce him to rebel;
he will be infenfible to the tongue, whip, and
fpur, and totally unlit for any vigorous exercifes
on that day; indeed I have known more horfes
forced to difobedience, by the inattention of their
tutors to this very particular, than to any realdif-
pofition of their own.

In working a horfe in the circle, it is generally
to the left, and the reafon is, that on that fide the
infirucftor has the mofl dominion over him :
this I allow ; but I never lofe fight of working him
alfo occasionally to the right ; and this I
do with a view to break him, in fome degree, of
the natural inclination of turning to the left ; from
the following caufes : he is accufioraed always to
be mounted, and have his caparifons put on,
from the left, and very often (though improperly)
to receive his corn and water on the fame fide.
Again, when a horfe goes to reft, he lies down on

the

ASTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. 47

the right fide, which obliges him to turn his head
and neck the contrary, way, — Thefe reafons incon-
teftibly prove the inclination of the horfe to keep
his head towards the left, which warrants the
improved pradice of leading him always with the
RIGHT SIDE REIN, and of Working him occafion-
ally to that fide in the above leffon.

Officer. I perfecflly well underftand the rea-
fon for your inftruding the horfe in the right-hand
voltes^ and am aware of the difficulty in effeding
it. With refpecfl to the circum fiance of not allow-
ing the horfe to be beaten in the commencementy
you imagine, I prefume, that all horfes are dif-
pofed to obey without having recourfe to harfh
means ; but if, as there are horfes of different
tempers, bad as well as good, one of the former
defcription fhould fall into your hands, how
would you treat him ?

Mr. AsTLEY. I haVe faid that care mufl be
taken not to beat the horie in the commencePxient^
if poffibly it can be avoided ; and I now go farther,
and declare, that if all chaftifement can be dif-
penfed with, even during the whole of the time
employed in training, I prefer it -, firmly perfuaded
thacgentlenefs, on the part of the tutor, will effe£l
more than all the beating that can be- infiJded;
and the reafon will appear obvious, when it is
proved that mild means are alone capable of

creating

48 astley's equestrian education.

creating a defire in the horfe to learn his exercifes •,
which is dilcovered by the grace he difplays while
under tuition —Force has the contrary effc(5l, and
often occafions accidents both to man and horse ;
infomuch as the former runs the rifk.of being
maimed, if judgement do not accompany chaftife-
raent, and the latter, in addition to the like rifle,
receives a check in his gentlenefs, and his legs
and feet are rendered, perhaps, incapable of per-
forming their neceflary funcflions. The better to
elucidate this palTage, I will give a Ihort account
of the nature and capacity of horfes. In Italy
where the pradlice of training the horfe is much
encouraged, every one is rejedled that may be found
not immediately to poffefs the neceffary qualities,
whatever may be his form ; there, the furious, the
wicked, and the lazy, are invariably fent to the
coach or the cart. In this, and in mod other
countries, however, I obferve the natives are not
fo particular in this refpedl as the Italians ; a cir-
cumfl:ance which accounts for the greater patience
neceffary in the teacher, and for the improvement
made in the fcience. — In the method I have adop-
ted, I have, as before ©bferved, paid particular
attention to brevity, from a diflike to perplex either
the man or the horfe.

When this animal refufes to obey, a prudent
horfeman will coniider the caufe. If the horfe be
impatient, furious, or mifchievous (or whatever be

the

ASTLEYS EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. 49

the oppofition he may feem inclined to mcike), he
will only threaten to beat him, fhortening the
cord : this is fufficient chaftiiemenr, and better,
by far, than any to be inflided with the bridle or
fpur, if he be mounted i fince the reins, the legs,
and the cavejfon; from being rendered uneafy to
him, give him an opportunity to avoid punifh-
ment, by doing that, which he foon underftands,
he is required to accomplifh : but if, through the
ill conftrudion of the cavejfon^ he fhould have re-
courfe to other means of defence, whether in re-
treating or running againft the poft, a flroke or two
with the chambriere will bring him up and compel
him to advance. — Here let the inftruclor give him
to underftand that obedience will invariably pro-
duce careffes : by purfuingthis method, the horfe
difcovers the neceffity, and cherifhes the inclina-
tion, to execute every manoeuvre required.

When a horfe fhews a difpoficion to be lazy,
or to perform in a flovenly manner, and when thefe
faults (and great ones they are) incline him to dif-
obedience, the chambriere mufl be ufed, and vi-
goroufly, but not frequently; judgement, jus-
tice, and MERCY, being points which the horfe-
man mufl: ever keep in view : however, this is con-
lidered as the laft refource, and to be applied only
in extreme cafes. If he difcover a hard or a dry
mouth, his defence will be forward, forcing the
hand; but for this he fhould not be beaten, but

E thrown

50 fiSTLEYS EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

thrown upon his haunches, and exercifed gently
in the trot and gallop until he perform his leflbn
with freedom and eafe ; and an apple or carrot
frequently given will refrefh his mouth, and afllft
the appui. On the other hand, if the horfe be
heavy, and fuch weight prevent him from doing
his duty, it niufl be rendered lighter by a conti-
nuation of the leiTon ; but if he difcover any iigns
of malice, care muft be taken, unaffifted by force,
or it is very likely his own weight will bring him
to the ground.

Officer. You have given excellent reafons
for commencing with the mofl difficult parts of
theexercifes, and have explained the means em-
ployed in reducing the moft violent tempers.

Mr. AsTLEY. When I difcover that a horfe
obeys me freely in the walk, trot, and gallops and
that he has fome notion of -.the tern a-terre^ I en-
deavour, by degrees, to acquaint m}'felf with the
power of his memory ; for, after the leffon round
the ONE PILLAR, I fix him between the two,
and, with the whip-hand, teach him to avoid the
flrokes, cauhng hirn to proceed flov/ly on different
fides. As the horfe finds himfelf much conflrained
by the cavejfony he cannot, here, be exercifed in
too gentle a manner, which is the only way to
break him of his faults; and to this he fubmits,
as it were, voluntarily, perceiving that he cannot

cfcape

astley's equestrian education. 51

efcape by advancing, retreating, or turning to the
right or left ; but if, which is very rarely the cafe
after application of the above means, he fhould
refufe to obey, he may again be taken to the one
PILLAR, and the cord of the cavejfon fhortened,
fo as to bring his head clofe to it ; and there,
with the whip, thrown on his haunches : thus
the horfe fees the neceflity of complying, in the
firft inflance, where he is at liberty to adt, and which
generally he prefers ever after.

Officer. I am of opinion that this leflbn, well
given, is fure to produce the defired efFeds.

Mr. AsTLEY. Doubtlefs : before this time too
the horfeman has afcertained the powers and ca-
pacity of the horfe, and the particular fervice for
which he appears defigned ; he teaches him to
Ihun the chambriere in his exercife round one
PILLAR, and then ties him between the two:
he inflrudls him, by means of that fear which is
caufed in the horfe, to go from the walk to the
trot, from the trot to the gallop, thence to the
terre-a'terrCy and to inflidl on himfelf that punifh-
ment with the caveffon not to be given by man.

From a continuation of this leflbn, three good
effedls refult : — firft, the horfe never has a bad
mouth; — fecondly, he is not reflive; — and,
thirdly, he is no ways obfiinate, having no delire

E 2 to

52 astley's equestrian education.

to turn to either fide ; faults often obferved in
young and unexperienced horfes.

Officer. How is it pofTible that a horfe with
, naturally a bad mouth, having an inclination to
be reflive, or poffeffing various vices, is taught to
avoid them ?

Mr. AsTLEY. By turning he is compelled to
go forward, and when fhewn the chainbriere^ he
is alfo compelled to flop fhort at the will of the
inflrucflor.

Officer. It appears to me that you find the
ONE PILLAR fo ufcful, that you commence, con-
tinue, and complete, by its means!

Mr. AsTLEY. It is true, that thofe who work
the horfe with judgement, adhering to the leflbns
contained in this treatife, for their guidance, may
inftrudl him in the due carriage of his head, and
ufe of his limbs, in every part of the exercife.

Officer. How long is it before you place a
man on horieback }

Mr. AsTLEY. Before I place a man on horfe-
back, I requeft him to execute, and that with fa-
cility, the leiTons with the bridle and faddle j which
may occupy his attention nearly five -days (provided

the

astley's equestrian education. 55

the inftrucflor be a good one) : but it fometimes
happens that, for want of fuch knowledge in the
Scholar, and fuch caution or ability in the maft^r,
the horfe is fpoiled, and the rider expofed to dan-
ger: indeed, if the latter be at all deficient in.
this part of his profeffion, he cannot fee the inuti-
lity of beating, or not beating, the horfe, or be a
fufficient judge when punilhment ought, or ought
nor, to be inflided.

Officer. What is the reafon that you have
the ftirrups hanging when no perfon is on horfe-
back ^

Mr. AsTLEY. I do this for two reafons, par-
ticularly when I meet with horfes poffeffed of more
fenfibility than the generality of them have; in
the firft place, I do it to accuftom them to the
motion of the ftirrup againfl: the belly \ and in the
fecond, as it gives the horfe a firm tail (a circum-
ilance which requires attention) nothing having a
worfe appearance, than to fee a horfe whifli it
about while under the management of the tutor.

When accuftomed to the flirrup, and the
movements required of him, without offering any
refinance, I place a light fcholar on his back, that
^he horfe may be as little interrupted as polTible ;
and, by giving the ridt r a good feat, I enable him

to

54 ASTLEYS EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

to oppofe the animal, in cafe he fhould refufe to
obey the rein.

At the firft time of mounting he (hould not
wear fpurs, but fit ftill, and not move the bridle;
permitting the horfe to carry him, as it were vo-
luntarily. This leffon fhould be continued two or
three days, in the prefence of the inftrudlor, ufing
the chambriere ; when the horfe will difcover that
he received no injury from his rider, he will
^Uow him afterwards to approach and mount with
the greateft facility.

Officer. I clearly perceive the means you
employ, with a view to avoid the dangers, that
may prefent themfelves ; and you have plainly de-
monflrated the impoflibility of a young fcholar's
training a horfe.

Mr. AsTLEY. It affords me pleafure to find
that you are fatisfied with the reafons adduced for
the PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS; the firfl being
the moll dangerous lefTons, both for the rider and
the horfe, the intention of which is to bring the
former animal from one extreme to the other ;
namely, from a ftate of uncontrolled liberty to that
of abfolute obedience, to bear the faddle and the
man, to which all horfes make objecflion, in fome
way or other, according to their nature and their

ftrength.

ASTLEYS EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION, §^

ftrength. No doubt, however, remains that if the
horfe obey in the firft movements, he will ever
after, while his ftrength fhall prove fufficient,) be
equally fubmiffive and docile.

Officer. I now fee the man motionlefs on
the horfe, and am anxious to know what you in-
tend to do with him ?

Mr. AsTLEY. When I find a horfe taught to
carry and obey the rider, I put him into the hands
©fa more perfe<5l fcholar, one who underftands
the ufe of the hand and heel, as well as the ne-
ceKdvy appui ', carefully commencing, by fhorten-
ing the reins gradually that he may be accuftomed
to the former -, thus he will foon become tracflable,
and obedient to the hand. This lelTon mull be
repeated until the inftrudlor fucceed in his point.
But it is to be obferved, it muft be given with
difcretion and without incommoding hini with the
bridle, fixing the hand conformably to the pofition
of the horfe i then according to the obedience,
which he difplays, while working round the one
PILLAR, he is, fooner or later, taken to the tv/o,
where he muft go through his movements on the
different fides, without ufing the fpurs, at leaft,
while he fubmits to the bridle, and the chambriere^
left he ftiould be driven reftive.

Officer.

5^ ASTLEY*S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

Officer. I perceive that this leflbn is to give a
proof of the affertion which you have advanced,
viz. That the horfe is perfedly well dreffed, when
obedient to the hand and heel, and when he per-
mits himfelf to be dired:ed at the will of the rider ;
but tell me, if you pleafe, why you ufe him firft
to the hand and not to the fpur ?

Mr. AsTLEY. I do it for the very plain reafon,
before afligned, that turning the horfe is attended
with much difficulty, and alfo, that it is with great
reludance that he receives the bridle into the
mouth i fooner far will he bear the rider than the
bridle. On this account, I begin with thofe parts
of the exercife, in which the inftrudlor receives
the moft oppofition : again, it is with the bridle
that the horfe fuffers himfelf to be guided, and
without which he would be of little or of no fer-
vice to man. Hence arifes the neceflity of making
him, in the firft inftance, obey the hand; for as
the horfe is naturally inclined to go forward, ftop,
or turn, without grace, there are no means of
compelling him to do this, in any fort of order,
without the affiftance of the bridle.

Officer. I am fatisfied with this information ;
therefore, fir, proceed.

Mr. AsTLKY. When the horfe becomes fuffi-
ciently tradable, the rider muft fix himfelf fome-

what

astley's equestrian education. 57

what ftrongly in the ilirrups, and induce him, by
certain movements, accompanied by a goodappui^
to entertain a fort of defire to further his progrefs
in the improvement of his paces; in the profecu-
tion of which, the rider mufl keep his body up-
right, his feet firm in the Hirrups, but rather plia-
ble ; obferving a proper balance and command of
body. If thefe, with the addition of the voice, be
found infufficient to enforce obedience, the perfon
holding the chambriere^ may threaten to punifh
him, the rider, at the fame moment, flriking his
boot with his whip, giving the horfe to under-
{land, that he expe(5ls to be obeyed. This he
foon learns jointly from the rider and the perfon
on foot, and when he has given proofs of a little
obedience (and not before) he may be led back
to the ftable, and there fed, as an encouragement
for his future fubmiflion. As foon as he has re-
ceived proper refreihmcnt, he may be worked
with temperance in any of the preceding leffons,
conformably to the fancy of the rider, who is by
no means to quarrel with the horfe, if it can be
avoided : for, from a little correction much good
may refult, but from great oppofition nothing is
to be expeded.

Officer. By this Ufibn, if I underftond rightly,
the horfe finds himfelf induced, as well to obey his
rider, as the perfon charged wit^ the chambriere.

But

58 astley's equestrian education.

But why do you ufe the whip in preference to
the heel, fince you apply both to one and the
fame place ?

Mr. As T LEY. For the reafon that I do not
like to have recourfe to the heel, except in
extreme cafes ; and this, from a convidlion of the
impropriety of applying the fpur ; perfuaded that
there can be no pleafure in reducing the horfe to
obedience by force alone. No grace can poffibly
be acquired by the rider, who is continually
obliged to beat and fpur his horfe ; and no horfe
can afford any pleafure in the manege^ unlefs he
exprefs fatisfadlion while under tuition. — It is for
this reafon that I ufe the whip, to convey an idea
of the fpur, which the horfe obferving, by the
movement of the arm, is obliged to obey, fearful
of being chaftifed by it : and each time that it
may be neceflary to touch him with this, prepares
him to receive the fpur.

Officer. When is it that you accuftom the
horfe to the fpur ; and how do you proceed in it ?

Mr. Astley. When I find the walk, the trot,
and the gallop, alfo the terre-a-terre round the
one pillar, readily performed by the afliftance
of the appuh &c. and in pure cadence^ I then, and
not till then, allow the rider to prefs him with the
leg and fpur, afTifting with his voice, and exhi-
biting

astley's equestrian education. S9

biting the whip. — But I obferve, that no other
horfes are working in the manege, left fuch aid
might animate them at an improper moment. —
Should this new movement induce him to oppofe
refiftance, the application of the fpur muft not be
repeated, but recourfe had to the whip -, which
done, and the horfe having recovered his wind,
the following plan muft be purfued : — The rider
muft prefs his fides with the calves of his legs,
and pinch him again, by which, in a very ftiort
time, the horfe will be brought to obey the fpur,
until, at laft, the prelling of the legs only will
anfwer the end ; unlefs the beaft be a very dull
one indeed: ftiould, however, this fail, (though
far from being likely), the perfon with the cham-
briere muft quit the pillar, that the horfe, lofing
fight of him, may be invited to conform through
pleafure, inftead of fear ; when, in ftiewing him
the whip, he muft apply the fpur gently, and in-
deed both, if required.

Professor. I plainly perceive the probability
of fucceeding by a ftridl attention to this mode ;
but what means are proper to be,em ployed to bring
the horfe to the performance of a ^oodterre-aterrey
lince fome hefitate to comply ?

Mr. AsTLEY. The queftion is certainly well put;
there are horfes which obey the hand and the fpur,
perform well in the v/alk, the troc, and the gallop,

and

So ASTLEY*S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

and yet cannot execute the terre-a-terre^ in cadence.
The method J purfue with fuch horfes, (thofe I
mean of a more violent turn,) is by a flridl atten-
tion to patience, induflry, and a proper refolution ;
without v/hlch they cannot be inftruded in any
a(5tion, in which cadence is required. If, as it is
termed, he be difunited, the rider will return to
the lefTon at the one pillar, the better to fupple
his flioulders, and to fit him for the adion of
croiling his legs; then to the two pillars, and
there fomewhat encourage him in the courbette.
Here, if the horfe fhould not obey, it muft be
afcertained, whether his refufol proceeds from
paffion or from ftupidity, as he muft be corretfled
accordingly : For example, when the faults arife
from the former caufe, he muft be chaflifed for the
refufal ; when, from the other, by objecting to
raife himfclf high from the ground, or to bend his
knees, (one of the fined graces of a horfe, while,
exercifing in the conrbettes^ he muft receive a
ilroke from the whip on one of his hindermdft
legs. If the horfe poffefs the lead fenfibility, he
will foon obferve the neceflity of raifing the legs,
the whip being in fight.

Admitting that thefe efforts of the horfeman
fl^ould prove ineffc<5lual, and he fhould dill refufe
to raife himfelf, a large dick, about {\x feet in
length, mud be procured ; then, taking one of
the cords of the cavejfon^ caufe him to leap over it

obferving

astLey's equestrian education. 6l

obferving that, juft before he is in the acfbion of
rifing, the rider muft allifl him with the voice,
and apply the whip on one of his fhoulders. 3y-
fuch means, the horfe will certainly learn to per-
form a courbette^ provided the horfeman be careful
to aid and carefshim, at all times, when obedient:
for horfes, I repeat, can only be injflrucfled by
carefling them with the voice, or hand, or by giving
them fomething to eat, as herbs, fruits, kc. And,
when in the wrong, every effort mufl be made to
puni(h them with the voice, the whip, and the fpur,
but with moderation. Every fault mufl have its
particular punifhment, which mufl: not be altered*
The horfeman will, neverthelefs, be fparing of
his blows, and prodigal of his careffes ; for, as I
have already flated, the horfe is always to be
brought to his duty by gentle, but never by-
rough means.

Officer. To poffefs the method which you do,
of rifing him before, as the means of enabling him
to perform well a conrbstte^ it is requilite that the
inflrucflor fhould narrowly infpedl his movements,
as well for the fafety of the rider, as for that of the
horfe -, governing himfelf, in the choice of the
modes he may employ, by the ability of the animal
under his tuition.

Mr. AsTLEY. Although one good coiirbeits be
no very great recommendation, the horfe that can

perform

«

62 ASTLEY*S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

perform one well^ may be confidered as far advancd
ill this leff:in ; for when he can execute this, he will
foon be enabled to arrive at the fecond and third «
of which, being mafter, he will Certainly increafe
the number, fo long, at lead, as the wind fliall laft :
but here difcretion is required on the part of the
inftrucflor. A good courbette is underftood to be
that which is performed freely, aflifted only by the
voice, and that only when found expedient.*

If a horfe refufe to rife himfelf forward, and
that refufal be attended with the rifk of throwing
himfelf down, it is confidered as an imprudent ad^^
on the part of the inflrudlor, to oppofe it by a con-
tinuation of the like means: on the contrary, fuch
a horfe fhould be conveyed to the two pillars,
and there employed in acquiring a better cadence^
in order to induce him to forget the circumflance
of his refufal ; when, if he refifl: the fpur, or be-
come reftive, it is not confidered advifable to rife
him ;unlefs he fhould carry himfelf too near the
ground, and, even then, he mufl not be fore-
ftiortened, under the idea of rendering him light,
until he be perfe(5l in the action of going forward,
and truly obedient in the above leiTons.

The wife and prudent horfeman will weigh every
circumftance, among the multiplicity, which oc-

* See the engraving at the end of the book,

cur

- astley's equestrian education. 63

cur in the courfe of the exercife, the better to
prevent accidents, and particularly the injury, to
which the legs and reins of the horfe are the moft
liable ; he endeavours alfo to exercife and divert
his mind, and aflifl his memory, in whatever
manner appears bed calculated to infure fuccefs *,
and too much application and art cannot be em-
ployed.

Officer. I conceive that man requires much
diligence and attention to complete him in this
fcience. Explain, if you pleafe, what you expedl
farther of the horfe after he has learned to perform
three or four good courbettes ?

Mr. Astley. When the horfe freely fubmlts
to the above leflbns, and is able te perform three or
four good courbettes^ between the two pillars,
without fuftaining himfeif by the cords of the
cavejjon^ I remove them to a given diftance, that
he may become obedient to the hand ; and when
I find that he takes a firm pofition on the reins,
and not on the cavcjjon^ I throw him on his
haunches on one fide, touching him with the fpur,
fometimes with the left, at others with the right ;
then repeating the lelTons in the courbettes ^ two
or three times, at difcretion, I invite him, by ca-
reflfes, to go to the other fide, aided by the appli-
cation of the heels, fupported by the hand, and

fe cured

64 ASTLEY*S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

fecured by the whip, left he fhould not rife him-
felf fufficiently either before or behind.

Officer But if, in fuch leffons, he fhould re-
fufe compliance, what is to be done ?

Mr. AsTLEY. If he refufe to obey, the caufe
niuft be afcertained -, for if he be light and vigo-
rous, and go forward leaping, inflead of perform-
ing coiirbettes, but, is neverthelefs, eafy in his
movements; if, I repeat, the horfe only offer this
defence, when the rider is about to rife him, he
muft not be checked, but indulged and perfe(5led
in the cadence, which he thus adopts, whether
crotipade, balotadey or cabriole ; for be it remark-
ed, that the horfe is, naturally endowed with airs ;
and it is held advifeable not to oppofe thofe
movements in which he moflly excels, and to
which he appears principally inclined : for this rea-
fon, the horfe fhould not be chaflifed for having
recourfe to other airs, whether willingly, or by way
of defence. Certain alfo it is, that when a horfb
has not fufficienc force to continue in croupade^^
balotades, ox cabrioks, he will, naturally, and ealily
return to conrbettes, and he who would attempt
to adl otherwife, by oppofing the horfe, when vi-
gorous and full of fire, may occafion a thoufand
accidents to both.

Officer.

astley'3 equestrian education. 6g

Officer. I thank you for this explanation ; but,
if you pleafe, we will return to the horfe between
the TWO PILLARS, now able to make four or five
courbettes in one place. When thus inftrudled, I
wifh to know, what next you require of him; for
it feems that the horfe, fo far perfedled, has regu-
larly gone through the leffons which you have
defcribed ; commencing, continuing, and ending
at the ONE PILLAR, and between the two.

Mr. Astley. You are perfedlly right, — ^I have
found, by the adoption of thele means, that the
horfe is brought to comply in all that may be re-
quired of him, without tormenting the body, legs,
or feet, the mind being the obje(5l to which I prin-
cipally diredl my attention; for while, in hisexer-
cife round the one pillar, the horfe takes a firm
pofition on his haunches, and obeys the fpur, in like
manner between /the two pillars, he will go
better in cadence, I continue and conclude gene-
rally between the two pllars. For my own
part, I conceive that the moft excellent parts of
the leffon are, to fix the head of the horfe lofty, fo
as to make him obedient to the hand, to give him
breath in the courbettes y which is done, by not
permitting him to draw from the cavejjon. In this
leffon, I faften him between the two pillars,
with the halter in his mouth, inflead of a bridle,
and there work him v/ithout a faddle; for he will

F chaflife

66 ASTLEy's equestrian EDUCATIO^T.

cliaflife himfelf, in cafe he fhould rife his head too
high, or lean too much, or not enough on the fide •,
thus he finds it neceffary to work on his haunches,
in a jufl pofition, fearful of the chamhriere^ (hewil
to him from behind, and with which he may be
touched filghtly, if judged expedient. — I caufe him
to rife himfelf before, driving him forward, which
is half terre-a-terre and ha.l'i coitrhette^ thereby pre-
paring him for the volte.

Officer. It appears that you have employed
every poffible means to oblige the horfe to rife
himfelf forward for the making coiirbettes ; and
it is obferved, that the higheft are the moil: hand-
fome : at prefent you iiiflrudl him in hdXUourbettes^
and half terre-a terre\ but are you not apprehen-
five that, by fo doing, the horfc will acquire a bad
habit ?

Mr. AsTLEY. Far from giving the horfe a bad
habit, it enables him to perform whole courbettes
with greater facility, for, by this leffon, properly
ufed, he is made firm on his haunches, pure in his
cadence^ and enabled to receive, freely, the aids
of the hand, of the fpur, and of the whip. The
lefiTons for the inflrucflion o^hM courbettes, and half
terre a-terre^ are highly requifite at times : namely,
when a horfe is wanting in refolution, faultering
in His whole courbettes^ if not obedient to the

AIDS.

astley's equestrian education. 67

AIDS. T never met with a horfe, however perfecft
he might be, that received an injury from its ap-
plication : a circumftance that warrants me in its
adoption, particularly in the c-afes before flated.
When the leafl affiftance of the hand caufes him
to obey, (for it is known that a fteady hand in-
clines the horfe alTo to be fteady), he may eafily
be brought to exercife in the courbettes or cabrioks
and from thefe to the good voltes : and I con-
tinue to work him round the pillar, until I
am fatisfied of his ability in this performance, in
pure cadence^ and of his attention to the aids of
the heels. '

Officer. What am I to underftand by the
term obedient to the heel .'*

Mr. AsTLEY. The horfe is obedient to the
heel, when, by preffing with both, he flies for-
ward, or by touching with one he turns to that
fide on which it is the intention ofthe rider to
diredl him; or, when in other refpeds difo bed lent,
he allows himfelf to be brought to a due fenfe
of his duty, by piching him with one or both of
the fpurs.

Officer. I now perfedlly comprehend you ; but
what method do you purfue to make the horfe fen-
fible and obedient to the fpur P

F 2 Mr.

6S ASTLEy's equestrian EDUCATION'.

Mr. AsTit^EY. Many horfes there are that pay
no attention to the fpur, and with fuch I ufe other
means. I fhall omit, 'at prefent, treating of them,
but return to horfes more feniible to the touch of
the heel ; by commencing with its application, be-
ing-^vell afTured of its perfedlion in the courhette, I
generally make the horfe begin this leflbn at the
6.NE PILLAR, and there, putting him into the
voltes^ touch him with -jue of the heels once or
twice only ; if he allow this, quick careffes, on the
part of the rider, (hould neceffarily follow, if not
the AID mufl be withheld. Obferving that the
horfe does not kindly admit of being pinched, I
tie him between the two pillars, fhortening
the cords; when, on riling him, I caufe him to
be prefTed very foftly ; if he fhould alter his rpea-
fure, he muft be ftruck on the croup with the^
whip, at the time of aiding him. — This' is prac-
tifed to give the rider an opportunity of continu-
ing the prelTure, by which the horfe is taught to re-
mark, that he is required to anfwer to the aid of
the heel, as well as to the whip : to effe(5l this,
however, the rider and the perfon with the cham-
bn'ere, mufl adt in concert, and the horfe is foon
induced to underftand and obey. '

Officfr. But provided the horfe be fo impa-
tient, or fenfible, as not to admit of the touch of
the heels, in the manner before defcribed, but

becomes

astley's equestrian education. 69

becomes furious, even to a degree of madnefs, is
it advifable to make him fufFer ? From your
former obfervation, " that horfes fhould not be
beaten,** I am induced to put this queflion ; as alfo,
what you mean by the term pinching ?

Mr. AsTLEY. To pinch the horfe, while in the
adlion of working in the coiirbettes^ or, indeed,
in any other movement, is to prefs gently its fides
with both fpurs, or with one only, as necellity may
require; fo that, being accuftomed to this aid, he
may rife himfelf behind, little or much, according
to the force applied by the horfeman ; a circum-
ftance which requires particular care and attention ;
for, without a complete acquaintance with this
part of the fcience, the horfe cannot acquire any
true grace.

The furious horfe, that will not bear the fpur, I
faflen to the pillar, fhortening the cords ; I then
fix two balls, (fuch as boys ufe at play) to the
rowels, and work the horfe gently to the fide,
caufing him to feel the balls, by which he under-
ftands that the injury is noj: great. The next leffon
is given between the two pillars, when the
heoJs are applied with the fpur, and without ex-
ercifing it, but, at fuch times, I approach the
horfe,' who foon fubmits to the fpur, armed as be-
fore ftatcd, with two balls.' Thefe balls, it may

here

7© astley's equestrian education.

here be remarked, may be difpenfed with, by
o;nitting the fpurs intirely, and ufing the heels;
but the preference is certainly to be given to the
former mode ; the reafon of which is, that the
heel, not being fufficiently long, cannot touch the
beliy without preffing too much with the calf of
the leg at the fame moment. When the horfe ad-
mits the touch with the balls, without (hewing an
inclination to oppofition, I ufe fpurs, that do not
prick, and continue the fame leflbns until, at laft,
I have recourfe to the real ones, (horizontal rowel
fpurs I have ever given the preference to,) ufing
them gently, or with fuch force as may be required.
Hence you may infer that all horfes are rendered
obedient to the fpur.

Ifahorfeman, furrounded with dangers in the
field of war, cannot dired and caufe his horfe to
obey him, but, on the contrary, that he become
reftive, a valuable life is loft! At fuch a time, the
animal that is well trained will not feel himfelf
infulted,or be induced to rebel, although the rider
may prefs an additional exertion of his powers ;
and hence arifes the necellity of bringing a horfe
to obey, at all times, both the hand and the
fpur.

Officer. Your ideas agree with mine: — I
now fee the point diftindly, and how you contrive

by

ASTLEY*S EQJiJESTRIAN EDUCATION. 71

by flow degrees (which you prefer) to inflrudl the
horfe. I am anxious to hear the remainder of your
difcourfe, particularly how you treat him when
trained in the manner before related.

Mr. AsTLEY. After having fucceeded, by the
leffons before ftated, I commence round the one
PILLAR, and with the voltes^ the better to com-
plete him in the obedience of the hand ; then tying
him between the tw^o with the cords a little longer,
I make him work gently to the fides.

As the horfe becomes acquainted with this alte-
ration of movement, I oblige him, if poilible, to
return to that to which he appears mofi: inclined.
This he learns in a few days, from thecircumflance
of being worked to the left and right.

Officer. Why are you defirous that your horfe
fhould know how to work to the fide, and that he
fhould change from one to the other by the appli-
cation of the fpur ^

Mr. AsTLEY. Becaufe the horfe that cannot
work fideways, cannot perform good voltes ; but
if, in going into the voltes^ he fhould enlarge him-
felf too much, the fpur on the other fide will cor-
real: him ; and if, working to the right, he fliould
incline obliquely to either fide, the fpur will adjufl

his

*JZ ASTLEY*S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

his pofition : — this is the chief reafon why I exer-
cife the horfe fideways ; others I could aflign,werc
they requifite or deiired.

Somptimes I take a horfe from the two pil-
lars to the ONE, and there work him, to divert
his attention, which having been previoufly accuf-
torned to, he will appear to take much delight in ;
and that may be eafily difcovered by obfervingthe
juft pofition of his head turned againft the pillar,
and his ready obedience to the fpur when applied
for the purpofe of forefhortening him.

Officer. What advantage has this leffon over
that between the two pillars, fince it only in-
flrudls the horfe to work to the fides ?

Mr. Astley: I difcover two — firfl, that the
horfe, not being made faft on both fides, has little
apprehenfion of receiving any check at the one
Millar ; confequently, independent of his obe-
dience to the hand, he permits himfelf to be con-
ducSted with the head againft it. Secondly, that
he becomes likewife tradable to the fpurs, and
particularly obedient to the perfon holding the
chambriere ; convincing proofs that the horfe ia
far advanced in his education.

Cfficlr. 1 believe you have afferted, there
arejiorfes fo void of fenfibility, that they are not

irritated

astley's equestrian education. ^3

irritated by the fpur -, with fuch, other treatment
is neceflary : and I wifh to be informed what
method, in fuch cafes, you purfue ?

Mr. AsTLEY. There are horfes fo ftupid and
timid, fo weak in their reins, feet, and legs, as
only to be capable of .travelling thirty miles in a
dayi fuch are alone fuited to the cart, and necef-
farily rejected in the manege : but there are others,
of tolerable good flrength, with handfome feet and
legs, but wanting in fpirit ; much art and cunning
are therefore requifite in roufing them: when I
meet with horfes of this kind I ufe them tenderly
in the firft inftance ; then (if in good health and
condition) I place them in the liable into which
no light can enter, and there let them remain two
or three weeks, taking efpecial care that they have
plenty of food : if this animate them, my
END IS answered. — Should this remedy, how-
ever, fail, it is out of the power of man to do any
thing farther with fuch a horfe !

Professor. From what you have heard, it is
clear that Mr. Aftley*s method is the mod certain,
concife, profitable, and the leafl dangerous, of any
extant For my part, I can affert that, as far as I
have tr'avelled,^ and the many horfes I have feen,
I never met with any fo well dreffed as in the
Amphitheatre of Arts, Weftminfter-Bridge. — I can

go

74 astley's equestrian education.

go farther, and declare, that I never knew him
to inftru<ft any man (properly qualified for the
fcience of equeftrian public amufement) who did
not make a wonderful progrefs under his tuition;
and that more men and horfes have been in-
ftruifled by him than by any other profeffor in
the kingdom. — I have not forgotten the minuet
danced by two of his horfes,) one mounted by his
fon, and the other by himfelf ;) — it was the ne plus
ultra of the manege, in fhort, the admiration of
every profeffor.

Officer. Exac5lly fo: — but as Mr. Aftley has
not fpoken much on this head, I will put the
quellion; perhaps it may affift me in difcovering
fomething more of the appui^ the aids, the flop, &c.
the knowledge of which I am very defirous to ob-
tain from him. — Mr. Aftley, will you then have
the goodnefs to explain the ground- work of your
celebrated minuet, danced by two horfes ?

Mr. AsTLEY. Willingly : — In the firft place,
my horfes were educated to piafe loftily, with
grace, with elegance, and with agility, (Haydn's
minuet regulated the adtion of the piafe during
the falute) as alfo the terre-a-terre^ which brought

us to oppofite corners. The adion of the

d^nd- voltes', to approach each other for the purpofe
of giving our hands forefhortened our horfes to

great

ASTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. 75

great animation by a correfponding appui and aid
of the leg; in the adion ot the piiife we came
nearer each other, head and croup, continuing the
piafe on our centre, an intire round , prior to which
we gave our hands, and then let them gracefully
defcend to their original pofition : both horfes, at
this inftant, being put in the adtion of the terre-a-
terre^ gained a given ground from the centre ; my
fon*s horfe made a demi-volte^ my own d, pirouette \
this brought us vis-a vis\ and after a fhort flop or
paufe (ftridlly in cadejice), each horfe pafled in the
adlion of ierre-a-tene, head to head, defcribins:
the exadl figure of the minuet: my fon, having
but little ground to go, immediately paffaged in
his ftation ; myfelf, being at the oppofite corner,
at a much greater diftance, obtained fuch ground,
by the acflion of terre-a-terre^ at one and the fame
time.

Here both our horfes fronted the fpecflators,
and (precifelyon the fame ground we occupied at
the commencement of the minuet; each, by a
graceful appui and correfponding aids^ forefhort-
ened and threw himfelf well upon his haunches
(nearly to a balance), we encouraging them into
a brilliant and lofty piafe. — At the lafl: part of
Haydn*s minuet we both uncovered ; my fon,
being on my left, caufcd his horfe to piafe to the
right, myfelf p/^T/f;/^ to the left, which brought us

head

76 astley's equestrian education,

head to head at a given diflance. After a cadence
with a ftop, we each made a piafe back to the
fame ground, my fon to the left and myfelf to
the right, and, continuing the piafe^ concluded
the minuet with the mufic: after which, each of
ws preffed his horfe*s fide with fharp horizontal
fpurs, animated him to the highefl aftion of the
piafe in quick time, to a fprightly air, which con-
cluded the performance ; our horfes retrogading
out of the Amphitheatre by oppofite doors,
croup foremoft, amidll the highefl: applaufe of the
fpedators.

CHAP.

astley's equestrian education. 77

CHAP. III.

^erious Advice to Ladies and Gentlemen, teaching
them the moji fafe^ approved, and graceful Seat ;
by which they may attain the greatefi Perfe^ion
in Ridings with Eafe and Pkafure to them/elves
and Horfes : with a Defcnption of the Side-
Saddk.

1 o complete ladies, and indeed gentlemen, in
the management of a horfe, I would defire they
fhould firfl attain a juft and adequate idea and
knowledge of the bridle-hand ; and even then I
would only defire to place them on horfes perfedlly
obedient and of eafy adlion. — I never allov/ a
learner to mount a horfe, which I have not previ-
oufly experienced to be the moft fafe, gentle, and
tracftable ; it is placing them indifcriminately on
horfes, not fufficiently docile, which frequently ter-
rifies young ladies fo much, as to prevent their
having that confidence and pliability of body, which
is fo indifpenfably neceffary for them to atrend to

and

Jd ASTLEY*S EQUESTRIAN ED\J CATION.

and adopt.— How, in efFed, is it pofTible for a man,
under an inrpreilion of fear, to fit with that freedom
and confidence, which conduce fo much to his
fafety and to the gracefulnefs of his feat ? But if
he have a horfe which he is certain poffeffes no
vicious difpofition, he is then free from any terror ;
his form and adlion are unembarraflfed, and his
mind is perfedly at liberty to adapt himfelf and his
adlions to the various movements of the horfe.

With regard to teaching a lady to attain a fafe,
eafy, and graceful feat, it is firft proper to give
fome inftrudlions refpedling the fide-faddle; for if
this be not judicioufly made, it will be impoffible
for the l^male learner to perfecfl herfelf in this ne-
ceffary part of the art.

Firft, I condemn the ufe of all cantlets to fide-
fiddles.

Gantlets are ridges which are at the back part
of the faddle, and were invented as a means,
though very injudicioufiy imagined, of allifling
ladies to fit with more fafety than it was fuppofed
they poffibly could without them. Their incon-
venience is, that when ladies are feated, they are
frequently, by the motion of the horfe, thrown
upon the ridge itfelf. This being uneafy, ^o avoid
it, the rider fits fo forward, as to lofe the purchafe
whlch-the right ham fhould have of the (hort head

- or

astleV's equestrian education. 79

or pomel part of the faddle. — Her feat is, thereby-
rendered unfixed, and fhe is out of that part of her
fituation, which would give her the neceffary equi-
librium, agreeable equality, and requifite attention
to the horfe's motion. — By this ihe not only rides
uneafy, but is in danger of being thrown ; for it is
impoflible to fit with eafe and in fafety, unlefs your
feat be on that part of the horfe*s back, which
gives the proper poife between the motion of his
fore and hind legs. The fame eafe of motion is
obtained from fitting in a proper medium on the
back of the horfe, as there is in placing yourfelf
midway between the head and flern of a veffel
under fail ; for in both you will find yourfelf le&
fenfible of their refpe(5live motions.

Another fault of the prefent fide-faddle is its
convex form. This rotundity is liable to occafion
the rider's Hiding oflF, either on the one fide or the
other, and to make the feat very unpleafant, while
it galls and wrings the horfe at the fame time:
could he fpeak, the oppreffed animal, I am cer-
tain, would perfuade you to eafe the preflTure by
fitting more in the centre.

Todefcrlbe In what manner I fhould recommend
a fide-faddle to be formed in this particular, I muft
quote the complaints I have 'heard of new chairs:
A fingular lady, whom I infirudled in riding, ufed
to fay, " New chairs were the moil uncomfortable

furniture

So astley's equestrian education.

furniture in a houfe ; for when a perfon wifhed to
reft on them, they always gave more pain than
refrefhment, their convexity was fo exceedingly
troublefome, and therefore fhe always gave her
fervants the firft feats in her houfe, until they had
prefled them into a concavity ; and ftie was con-
vinced that my advice, refpeding fide-faddles, in
this particular, was equally proper, and perfe(5lly
agreeable to her idea of chairs :" for, when they are
thus hollow in the feat, the rider fits certainly with
more eafe and fafety than when they are convex,
and, by enabling the rider to keep her centre, (he
attains her jufl equilibrium.

It may be thought by many rather prefumptuous
in a horfeman to trefpafs thus on the province of
the faddler ; but this accufation will be found un-
juft, when it is confidered that a horfeman only^
who has, from the nature of his avocation, expe-
rience of the different effeds of faddles, both with
rcfpecSl to the rider and to the horfe, is capable of
properly deciding upon this point. — Saddlers can-
not be competent judges of their particular utility
ordifadvantage ; their time being engaged in learn-
ing to make them, to appearance, worth the at-
tention of the purchafer, from the goodnefs of the
materials, and the elegance of the form and the
workmanlhip ; — not at all confidering the eafe and
convenience of the rider, nor the prefcrvation of
the horfe from pain and injury.

Thui

astley's equestrian education. 8i

Thus it is that I have feen, in the courfe of my
pradiceand experience, that the moft coftly faddles
have been oft times the worft, both for the horfe
and the rider. A (hoemaker can make a fhoe, but
it is only the wearer who can tell you where it
pinches ! this is an old adage — than which nothing
can more illuftrate what I would here enforce. I
wifh, at the fame time, not to be underftood to
mean this as an illiberal refle<ftion, or aimed againft
allfaddlersand tree -makers; on the contrary, there
are many who are excellent in their profeilion.

Before I difmifs this fubjed, I would advife,
that the pommel, feat, and pannel, be all fluffed
with horfe-hair : the advantages of this fort
of fluffing, are, firfl, it imbibes not the fweat
of the horfe as the flock does ;.and, confequently,
it is always foft and free from thofe clottings, which
too frequently gall the horfe *s back, ancl caufe
him to travel in great pain ; his carriage is thus
rendered very unpleafant to the rider. The next
convenience is, that from the foftnefs andelafliclty
of the horfe-hair, whatever is fluffed with it exadly
conforms itfelf to the furface it is meant to bear,
prefs, or cover ; and another conveniency is, the
durability of this fpecies of fluffing ; for it requires
only to be taken out and beaten, and you will find
it is good, after feven years wear, as it was when it
was firfl ufed. With refped to faddles for ladies
having cantlets, I muft here again condemn them.

G In

82 astley's equestrian education.

In the army they have their ufe, by enabling the
foldier to fix and keep his cloak-bag more fafe and
fleady, than he would otherwife have the power
to do ; belides, as men take up fo nsuch lefs room
in the feat than women, the inconvenience which
the female rider fuffers from the cantlet, they do
not experience ; for the nature of a lady's fitting
oii horfeback, is fuch, as to require more room
than can be left in the fpace between the fhort
head, or pommel, and the cantlet.

Prefuming this hint is too obvious to require any
farther explanation, I will not trouble my readers
with any thing more on this fubje(5l.

As a general rule for what the length of fide-
facidks i"hould be in proportion to ladies of differ-
ent heights, I offer this obfervation -, that a young
lady of five feet high, (hould have her faddle-tree
a^ hn^g as feventeen inches •, — one of five feet two,
eighteen inches j — of five feet four, nineteen
inches; — of five feet Wx^ nineteen and a half
inches ;— of five feet eight, twenty inches; of Rve
feet ten, twenty and a half inches j and of fix feet,
twenty-one inches,

With regard to f^irrups, I pretend to give no
inftrudlions, as they are of no great confequence in
their difference of bar, clog, or flipper, provided
they fit the ladies* foot eafily : and as to their fa-

fhion,

astley'j ec^uestrian education. 83

lliion, that is to be diredied entirely by the tafte of
the rider. But were I to recommend any one in
preference, it would be the flipper-ftirrup, from the
fafety arifing in confequence of the impofTibility of
a lady's foot going through it, by which fhe might
be dragged in cafe of a fall, along the road. This
is an accident, which has too fatally attended men
in their riding, and is, therefore, more particularly
to be guarded agai^nfl when a lady takes this
exercife.

THE SEAT OF THE LADY.

As foon as fhe is on the horfe, Ihe fhould im-
mediately place herfelf in fuch a manner, as to look
diredlly between his ears. She fhould not fit with
her elbows to the head and tail; if (he does, ihQ
will be liable to fall backwards or forwards, ac-
cording to the fide of the horfe on which fhe mofl
preponderates.

Her right hand fhould hold the whip in an eafy
graceful manner, with the lafh flantingand bearing
gently on the flanks of the horfe. In the left hand
fhe fhould hold the bridle, with her wrifl turned
fo that her thumb do point acrofs the horfe; and
this hand, which I call the bridle-hand, fhould be
equi-diftant from her body and the pommel.

G z Her

^4 astl'ey's eqjjestrian education.

Her feat fhould be fuch, as not to prefs particu-
larly on the flioulder, nor back parts of the horfe ;
if fhe prefs forward, fhe may caufe the horfe to fall
under her ; for nothing will occafion a horfe fo
foon to fall, as his fhoiilders being embarraffed by
cither the faddle being too forward, or the rider
fitting in this awkward, uneafy, and dangerous
pofition. The body fhouM be cafy and fupple,
otherwife (he can never conform herfelf to the
motions of the horfe.

Ladies and genHemeri aY^ too apt to forget the
pliability of body; fuch inattention deftroys their
gracefulnefs of attitude, renders them a great bur-
then to their horfes, and prevents their attaining
that eafe and command, which fhould al\vays par-
take of the horfe's motion in all his different paces.
It is fuperfiuous to inform my readers, that eafe
of adion on horfeback diilinguiflries both the lady
and the gentleman ; it becomes,, therefore, unne-
ceiTary to recommend its adoption any farther-

The next obfervation I have to make, refpeding'
a lady's pofuion on horfeback, is, that iier body
(hould not incline towards either tide, forward or
backward ; but if there is to be a tendency to
either, I would recommend it to be back; this
will draw in the flioulders, and give tlie body aii
appearance of confidence, which fhould always
charaderize every rider ; it will likewife prevent

her

ASTLEY*S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. 85

her being liable to prefs too forward, fo as to lofe
the hold or purchafe (he fhould always have with
her HAM, of the fhort head, or pommel of the fad-
dip ; and alfo her prelliag with her weight too
much on the fhoulders of the horfe.

The direiflion of the bridle fhould be goye^rned
by paffing the hand acrofs the body, when you
want to turn to the right, and the contrary way
when you would turn the horfe to the left. You
fhould pracSlife turning him to the former, more
"than to the latter, in order to attain a familiarity
in what you will find the mofl difficult of the two
direftions : for every horfe is more eafily turned to
the left, than to the right, from their always re-
ceiving their food on the left fide, and their rider
being obliged to pafs the bridle-hand acrofs the
neck to turn him to the right. In pulling the bri-
dle, if the lady pull more, than at the rate of a
pound weight, fhe may be faid to carry her horfe,
and not the horfe her.

THE LENGTH OF THE STIRRUP.

Having given the above diredlions, refpecfling
the poluion of the body on the fide-faddle, it is
neceilary to fay a few words on what fhould be
the length of the .fiirrup. l' ^fhould not recom-
mend

85 ASTLEY*S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

mend it to be ihort ; if it be, it will force the lady
too much towards the off fide ; and ftould it be
too long, (he will find herfelf too much on the
near fide : Either of thefe will deftroy that equili-
brium, which I can never too much enforce. — But
of the two faults, I would rather the ftirrups fhould
be too long than too fhort ; for the rider is fo far
tending more towards the left than the right fide.
The pofltion of the leg, and that of foot in the
flirrup, fhould be aseafy as poflTible; if it be forced
out in an awkward manner, the lady will find her
whole form rendered ungraceful, and the leg itfelf,
if not cramped from the extreme tenfion of the
mufcles, will be greatly pained and fatigued.— But
whilft I thus condemn its being extended fo far
from the horfe's fide, I would not defire it fhould
prefs the horfe ; it fhould preferve that eafy pofi-
tion which it would have, were the lady to fit up-
right in her chair, without prefling the legs of it,
or extending her leg in a flanting manner from it:
Nor let the rider too much fupport herfelf by the
flirrup; for this will only increafe the fatigue of her
riding, in confequence* of her weight depending
more on her feet and legs prefliing on the fiirrup,
than on the horfe, by which fhe fhould alone be
carried. In avoiding this error, however, care
fhiould be taken not to negledl totally that mode-
rate fupport, which the flirrup is m.eant to afford
the body. The foot fhould prefs the flirrup jufl
enough to prevent the whole weight of the body

frojn

astley's equestrian education. S7

from lying in too heavy and fluggifh a manner on
the horfe, and to have its afliflance, vviiciK ver the
body requires its fupport, in cafe of a fudden re-
moval from its equilibrium, fo as to re inltdtt; it-
felf in its loft feat.

THE DRESS OF THE LADIES.

Before I end this fubjecft, I have one caution to
give refpeding the ladies* drcfs. — This is relative
to the hair and hat being in fuch a liate, as not' to
be liable either of them to be fo materially diiiurbed
by the motion of the wind or the horfe, as to en-
gage too much attention . I'his is an inconvenience
which may be attended with very fatal confe-
quences. A lady, who is embarraffed by the fall-
ing down of her hair, and the flapping of her hat,
may lofe fo much her proper feat and the guidance
of her horfe, as either to be in danger of falling,
or being expofed to meet carriages, which (he
is not prepared to avoid, in time, to prevent her-
felf and her horfe from being hurt frqm fuch a
Tsncontre.

To remedy this, I moil refpecflfully recommend
to all ladies, who ride, to have their hair very
firmly and clofely drefled, and their hats pinned,
fo as to prevent their being moved by the motion

of

88 'ASTLEY*S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

of the wind or the horfe, er the brims flapping
over their eyes ; for either of thefe not only greatly
embarrafs the rider, but prevents her feeing how
to guide her horfe, as obferved above, from car-
riages and horfes which may be pafling on the
road.

To conclude this chapter, I would finally advife
every lady to be particularly cautious in riding fuch
horfes, which they are not certain have carried
ladies before. Such are very apt to be frightened
at the flapping of the coats of a lady*s drefsagainft
their fides -, and very frequently have been known
to run away with a lady the inftant fhe has been
mounted. To avoid this danger, let a groom put
on a petticoat, and firft ride on a fide-faddle as a
lady does ; if the horfe be fteady, docile, and obe-
dient, without (hewing any figns of fear, the lady
herfelf may then venture to ride him with fafety.

CHAP

astley's equestrian education. S9

CHAP. IV.

Necejfary Precautions in purchajtng a Horfe

Approach the flable very quietly, and by no
means difturb the horfe, that you may find out
his iraperfecflions ; fufFer no one to go near him,
until you have thoroughly obferved his pofition,
while flanding quietly in the flable : horfes with
tender feet, or other wife lame, generally favour
themfelves in the part affeded, while in this
flate.

Beirtg thoroughly fatisfied with his appearance,
order him out ; but fuffer no whip or fpur to be
applied to him, as corredlion, if he be a little
lame or tender-footed, will make him forget it for
a moment. Let him be taken to a convenient
place, between light and dark, that you may
thoroughly examine his eyes ; for all eyes, in the
fun, appear much better than they really are, and

it

90 astley's equestrian education.

it requires much fkill to difcover their degree of
goodnefs.

Two things are to be particularly confidered in
the eye : iirft, the cryftal ; fecondly, the bottom,
or ground of the eye.

Let your obfervation be rather oblique : if the
eye appear good, not funk in the head, and the
fight free from fpots, they are favourable figns ; for
if you expedl to be carried fafe, the eyes, as well as
the legs, fhould be ftridlly attended to.

His age Is known by his teeth ; horfes for the
road or field fhould not be under five years old j
though, in fadl, the country-dealers, by cutting
the gums, make them appear older than they
really are ; a prat^ice which ought to be entirely
abolifhed.

I have obferved horfes at eight and nine years
old with a black fpeck in their teeth, much re-
fembling the true mafk, buf then it was not hol-
low ; for, at that age, the lower teeth are all even,
when the upper are abfolutely not fo until the
horfe is twelve years old, (cribbiters excepted) ;
at thirteen the horfe 's upper and lower teeth ap-
pear nearly all even ; at fourteen the teeth over-
hang, and get long : if any gentleman fhould dif-
pute the fad, kt him carefully examine horfes at

various

astley's equrstrian education. 91

various ages, and he will find the above to be in-
difputable aflertions.

View his withers, back, and croup ; obferve
that his fore legs be not inclined to bend forward,
and that he have no fears on the knees, or fix
inches below or above ; the hair on the above
place fhould lie equally as ileek, as on any part of
the body ; if oiherwife, you may expect he has
tumbled down; then, at all events, rejccit him.

The next point that comes under confideration,
is, the walk, the trot, and gallop, in perfe(5l
cadence (being natural paces). If any pavement is
near, let him be mounted and ridden on it; even
then fufFer him not to be fpurred, whipped, nor
otherwife ill treated. Obferve that the walk be
bold, that he neither cuts nor interfere before nor
behind : fears on the infide of the legs, denote a
horfe not going well on them ; but I mull frankly
confefs, that the farrier is as often to blame as the
horfe.

His trot fhould be free, fleady, and performed
with great agility; two legs up in the air, and
two down on the ground : if he appear found ia
the trot, and pleafe.you in his different anions,
order him to gallop — Horfes, galloping ftraight
forward, may lead with the right or left leg before;
but then the hind \Q:-g of the fame fide mufl imme-
diately

gZ ASTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

d/ately follow, otherwife they gallop difunited ; a
certain fjgn of not being properly inflrucfted. —
Horfes, broken by able maflers, commonly gallop
with their right leg foremoft, . efpecially when
turning a corner to the right hand ; and if they
turn to the left, will immediately change and take
the left hg.

Being fatisfied with the walk, trot, and gallop,
and that the horfe is found and temperate in all
his adlions, as alfo thoroughly obedient to the
bridle-hand, I pronounce him valuable; for I
have found by experience, that a horfe well
brpken makes a ^man a tolerable good horfeman,
and nothing, that I know of, contributes fo much
to the attaining this defirable end, as the prudent
and fteady a(5lion of the rider.

CHAP.

ASftLEv's EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. 93

CHAP. V.

Of the Bridle^ ^ addle ^ and Stifmps,

We come now properly to equip the horfe ;
and, indeed, many gentlemen have various ways
in doing this. — I recommend the fnaffle for hunt-
ing ; and, in bitting. a horfe, to give him fuch a
bit as may readily gain his acquiefcence in the
adlions you may require of him ; and if your horfe
has been properly bitted, care fhould be taken
that he is not fpoiled by bad management.-?—
Nothing fhould be more attended to than bitting
a horfe ; every movement of the bridle with the
bit-rein, fhouJd be light and eafy ; if the rider has
not a tolerable command of the body, he fhould
never attempt much with the bit-rein, as well as
fome knowledge of the eppui. Changing bits
makes a horfe difobedient ; and I have obferved
feveral accidents proceeding from a fpirited horfe
not being properly curbed: the mod quiet horfe may
bring his rider into great danger, fhould the curb
hurt him j if, in fixing thee urb, you turn the chain

to

94 AStLEYS EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

to the right, the links will unfold properly i put
on the chain to range rather loofe, that the bit
may have liberty to move in the horfe's mouth ;
and before you attempt to ride your horfe in a new
bit, let it be put in his mouth three or four morn-
ings, previous to your mounting him, and juft let
the bit-rein be brought up, that the horfe may feel
the efFedl of the curb.

The faddle fhould fit the horfe with great eafe,
and be placed on his back in fuch a manner as
not in the leaft to prefs on one part more than on
another.*

The flirrups ihould be of an equal length ;
nothing is fo bad as to fee a gentleman ride with
unequal flirrups, nor with fuch can a proper feat
be obtained in time of danger. I recommend the
ftirrup-irons to be jagged, in the manner of a
baker's rafp, which will greatly allift the rider in
wet or frofty weather, as well in mounting as dif-
mounting, in flying or {landing leaps, and, in fhort
upon all occaiions.

♦ Moft faddlers, as I have already obferved, confider nothing
more than the appearance of a faddle : thofe which I ufe have
lictle or no camlet : fuch are beft calculated to enable the indif-
ferent rider to keep his body back, and maintain his feat with
ecjnal proportion of weight on each quarter of the horfe.

CHAP.

ASTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. g^

!■— — — I ' r , ,-, , ' " .j:-:!rs.Tr"-^"ir.

CHAP. VI.
Astley's Syjlem of training Horfes to Leap,

In order to excrcife the horfe in leaping with your
weight, I would recommend you to ufe a bag,
filled with fand, weighing from four to eight flone,
increafing every morning half a flone, till it arrives
at your own weight. Place this acrofs his back,
and fatten it ; then begin to accuftom him to leap
about a foot high; continuing to increafe the
height of the leap in proportion to the additional
weight on his back every morning, until he has
learned to clear the height of five feet and a half,
with fuch a weight as you may judge proper. — Ob-
ferve to exercife him in this manner, until be can
efFed^ this leap with great eafe and agility.

The horfe being thoroughly enabled to leap the
above-mentioned height by pradifing him at the
bar, let him next be exercifed to leap over a ditch ;
for I have feen many good hunters leap a bar or

hedq;e.

^6 astley's equestrian education.

hedge, with great agility and readinefs, that were
fhy, awkward, and embarraffed, when required
to go over a ditch. In order, therefore, to ren-
der BOTH eafy and familiar to him, he fhould
be exercifed equally at the bar and ditch ; ob-
ferving to feed him with a little corn, &c. by way
of reward, as recommended in the preceding
difcourfe.

Your horfe being properly trained to leap with
an equivalent weight to your own, namely, the
fand-bag of fuch, or more weight, you may then
difcontinue the bag and mount him yourfelf ; for
the fand-bag is only ufed as a fubftitute for the
rider, in order to prevent accidents. Having
mounted him, leap him over the bar, obferving
to begin with small heights, not only for your
own fecurity, but for your improvement. Having
acquired a competent knowledge for taking a
landing or flying leap over a bar, gate, or hedge,
next exercife him over a ditch, as you did before
with the fand-bag.

In this exercife, I have feen many an excellent
horfe fpoiled, from the eager and imprudent man-
ner, of forcing him over heights he had refufed.
Should he decline to leap any defired height, do
not chaftife him, but accommodate the bar to his
ability and inclination, by placing it lower.

Having

ASTLEY*S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. 97

Having leaped him over the height, adapted to
his prefent temper, and given him a little corn in
a fieve, taking off the burthen, you may then, by
raifing the bar from hole to hole, infenfibly train
him to leap the height, which he before refufed,
and you defired. By this means, you preferve the
temper of the horfe — reward his exercife by fuch
an indulgence, and prevent, very frequently, his
fore or hind quarters from being hurt, by Iti iking
againfl the bar, in confequence of his relu(5lance
to take a leap, to which he has not been patiently
and gradually trained.

CHAP.

98 astley's equestrian education.

CHAP. VII.

Natural Paces. J'he Walk^ the Trot^ and the
Gallop.

OupposE yourfelf mounted, with your bridle-reins
adjufted in either one or both hands ; the pofition
of your fwitch or whip correfponding ; then put
your horfe into a walk; in diredling him, you
fhould be careful to avoid ufing the fpur. The
greateft judgement is neceffary for inducing him
to execute his natural paces well, for I confider
^ good walk, as the foundation of his other
paces. The adion of the walk is four diflincfl
beats, in perfecft running cadence j namely —
the off fore-foot leading firft, marks one; the near
hind-foot, two; the near fore foot, three ; and the
off hind-foot, four; encouraging the horfe to a bold
adion t>y the excellence of the bridle-hand, and its
correfponding appui, — Both united to what is term-
ed a good bridle hand, cannot but allift in bringing
up his hind, in ftridl unifon with his fore quar-
ters. Here I muft remark, and endeavour to

imprefs

ASTLEYS EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. gg

imprefsonthe reader's mind my former obfervation,
viz. the neceflity of poffefling a good mufical capa-
city, without which, the walk may be corrupted, and
the horfe's adion rendered difagreeable to the eye,
as well as uneafy to the horfeman. Pliability in
the rider is alfo requilite as well as in the horfe ;
perfcifl and abfolute reciprocity is here neceffary.

OF THE TROT.

The excellence of this adlion depends much on
the degree of perfedlion in the walk ; for I have
found that when a horfe walks well, with fhoulders
pliant, lofty head, &c. he is feldom deficient in
any of his other natural paces.

The trot is two legs in the air, and two on the
ground, at one and tlje fame time, in the form of
a St. Andrew's crofs, viz. The off fore-foot, and
the near hind-foot — and the near fore-foot and the
off hind-foot — fo that the a^^ion of the trot is 2-2
equal, inftead of i, 2, 3, 4, as in the walk ; both
adlions muft be in perfedl cadence^ without which,
the horfe cannot arrive at the degree of excellency
or perfe<51ion neceffary.

H 2 THE

ICO astley's ec^uestrian education.

THE GALLOP.

The gallop I confider under three diftindl heads,
namely — That of the Racer, on the courfe at New-
market ; the Hunter, under moderate animation on
the plain ; and the lady's or pleafure horfe, on the
road. Each of thefe a(5tions has its peculiar excel-
lence ; but the laft I conceive to be the mod diffi-
cult to accomplifli, it requiring the (kill of an able
profcITor to forefhorten and throw the horfe on his
haunches,fufficieritly to complete this acftion. Laflly,
due care mufl be taken, that the horfe does not
gallop difunited : be it here underftood that, in
galloping ftraight forward, the horfe may lead with
which fore leg he pleafes -, but with whatever fore-
leg he leads, the hind leg of the fame fide muft
follow, otherwife, I term it, falfe adiion, or being
difunited ; but in dafhing forward, and turning to
fight or left, it is UecelTary that the fore-foot,nearefl
the centre, fhould take the lead ; if otherwife, you
may bring your horfe to the ground.

I canilot conclude without noticing the ambLe,
which may be confidered as a natural pace of the
horfe ; becaufe, nioll foals following their dams-
amble more or lefs to keep up with them : the
difference between the walk and the amble, is,
that two legs of a fide are raifed in the latter at
one and the fame inflant, and fo on m\r verfa.

But

astley's equestrian education. ioi

But to return to the bridle-hand, and the advan-
tages to be derived from a due knowledge of it.

To arrive at the thorough knowledge of the
bridle hand mufl be a work of time; and I am
ftridlv ofooinion that no one can ever attain the
appellation of a good bridie-hand, without much
praiflice, pliability, and great command of body on
horfeback. If I be allowed the parity, I am fure
there areas many «o/fj appertaining to the bridle-
hand, as to the gamui for 4ny i.nllrunient.

By the knowledge of the bridle-hand, you ob-
tain dominion over, and out-manceuvre every cun-
ning of the horfe; from the bridle-hand you refrefh
the horfe 's mouth, in fhort, every thing that is
defirable is acquired by it. — Thus regulating each
adlion of the horfe to what beft fuits your feat ; for,
in fadV, it may be faid, that the fafety of the horfe-
man depends upon a good bridle-hand; fuppofing
that he has a fufficient knowledge of the force and
utility of the fnaffle, or bit, as well as holding the
bridle-reins ; which all the theory of the moft able
profeffors, cannot complete you in, and can never
be acquired without much pradtice and expe-
rience.

My m.ethod is to ride with a fnaffle and running
rein-bridle ; indeed I ufe it for my chaife and co ich
horfesj having fome averfion to the long branch bit.

.' This

I02 ASTLEYS EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

This fpecies of bridle greatly affifts me in railing
the horfe's head, when riding, driving, and more
particularly in the manege. There is pofitively no
doing without it ; but the ufe of this kind of bridle
I confider as fimilar to poifon in the hands of an
ignorant phyfician, for without a proper know-
ledge of its tendencies, nothing but deftru<5lion
will enfue !

Moreover, a good bridle-hand makes a fteady
horfe, chiefly, if the juft appui be obferved. —
Horfes receive fome punifhment from the mouth-
piece of the bridle, where the appui is corrupted ;
or, if I may be allowed the expreflion, difor-
ganized. — The former, in every fenfe of the word,
operates as a kind of infenfible communication be-
tween the hand and the mouth, dire(5ling the horfe
in his pure cadence: when the latter may produce
untimely punifhment, and fuch punifhment, no-.
thing but imperfedl or corre(5led cadence^ and a
total deftrudion of the horfe's adion.

The reader will find, under Chap. I. and II. other
remarks on this head, and to which the young
praditioner is mofl refpedlfully reommended, by
the Author, to pay particular attention, he having
in the courfe of long pra<5^ice, been much benefited
by the prefcribed method.

CHAP.

ASTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. IO3

CHAP. VIII.

Of Draught Horfes.

HAVE found by experience that raoft horfes
fubmit to draw, when they have refufed to carry
quietly ; or, in other words, have been fpoiled by
unfkilful jockies. With regard to teaching horfes
to draw, I would not recommend them to be put
into harnefs before their fhoulders are fuppled, and
they have learned to trot the circle with great ad-
drcfs and agility.

After the horfe has been thus properly worked,
accuftomed to back, and will fuffer a bit to be put
in his mouth, let him be harneffed and worked in
hand. In teaching him to draw, you fTiould firfl
fix one man to the traces ; when he has learned to
draw him quietly, fix another, and thus continue
increafing the number of men.

By this gradual method you will find he is infen-
fibly taught to draw, when, perhaps, had you fixed

him

104 astley's equestrian education.

him at firfl to the carriage, he would have been fo
frightened and prejudiced, that you would never
have been able to have taught him afterwards.
Obferve that the traces be of fufficient length, fo
as to fuffer the man or men he draws to l^e out of
his reach of kicking -, if he backs, let the man or
men fixed to the traces abflain from pulling againft
him ; but if he draws willingly, be fure not to
continue his cxercife fo as to fatigue or prejudice
him againft the leflbn he is learning ; rather let him
reft very frequently, and in thofe intervals ufe every
means of careffes, feeding him with a little corn, in
fine, holding out to him every poflible encourage-
ment, fuch as I have fo much recommended in the
former leffons : — for he deferves your kindnefs,
when he ftiews you the leaft difpofition to abey,
and you have obtained a great deal of him when
you find he is willing to draw even the weight of
a fingle man. — This mode is particularly to be
adopted in preference to harnefling the horfe at
firft to the carriage ; for in this latter injurious,
injudicious, and dangerous method, the horfe, in
his fright, and relucflance to draw, frequently
ruins himfelf intirely.

Such an accident as this I witneffed near Weft-
minfter bridge : — fome butchers had hired a cart,
with an intention of trying a horfe which one of
them had bought ; the confequence was, that the
horfe, proving reftive, fet off in full fpeed with the

cart

ASTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. I05

cart and three men in it, bore every thing down
in his way, broke one of the party's leg, diflocated
the fhoulder of another, and totally ruined him-
feJf.

This leffon is particularly direded to all who
delight in draught horfesj for nothing can be more
ufeful to the community in general, than to know
how to teach them with fafety to draw any
carriage.

In exercifing the horfe, it muft be obferved that
you make him form a path reprefenting the figure
of eight, which being too circles joined, you may
then exercife him round each feparately, firft to
the right, then to the left, alternately -, — he confe-
quently will be fuppliedeach way : but when you
put him to the carriage, avoid quarrelling with him
for the three firft days, otherwife you may, per-
haps, render him as refracflory as he was when jou
firfl began to teach him to draw. Should he then
refufe, inftead of cor reeling, take him from the
carriage and repeat his exercife with men in the
traces, as you aid at aril:, and continue fo until
you make him obedient to your purpofe.

Before 1 conclude this chapter, I would parti-
cularly advife thdt ihe horfe be notopprefled with
the pinching of the bit, the tightnefs of the har-
nefs, nor the too great weight of the carriage ; for

all

io6 astley's equestrian education.

all thefe circumflances irritate his temper and ren»
der him unwilling to perform what you expedt
from him. If you have two horfes to your car-
riage, be fure to choofe them of equal flrength
and fpirit, otherwife the more vigorous one will
be liable to be fpoiled, from his having the greater
fhare of the labour in drawing, arifing from his
fuperiority of fpirit : — and in your journies, parti-
cularly remember to go flages of no more than
eight miles, at which feed them with a little hay
and corn at a time ; be fure, likewife, to give
them a little water, not exceeding two quarts, at
every ftage. Another great article in travelling to
be obferved, is, to have the wheels of your car-
riage greafed, whilft you are on the road, at lead
once a day : for I deem greafing the wheels to be
adually increafing the flrength of your horfes, at
lead, if it be not literally fo, it conduces to that eflfedt.

And, finally, obferve, when you arrive at the
inn where you mean to lie, to have their feet
picked, oiled, and ft u fifed ; and, before you leave
it in the morning, let them have no hay in their
racks for at leaft two hours previous to your depar-
ture, and inftead of it give them a feed of corn.

Obferve, when you fet ofif, not to begin your
ftage fo faft, as to f^itigue your horfes before they
have fcarcely warmed themfelves ; and when you
are approaching the end of your ftage, not to heat

them

AgTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. IO7

them in fuch a manner as to endanger their taking
cold ; to which accident the bed horfes are liable,
from being driven in great perfpiration into the
flables, and there left to iiaud on the cold ftones.
If accident or circumftances Ihould oblige you to
heat them too much, when they arrive, be careful
to havefome litter immediately placed under their
feet, and to have them rubbed as dr^ as they pof-
fibly can be by the hofllers. As foon as they ar-
rive, give them a pint of water, which you will
find will refrefh them, and ferve as a ftimulus to
the food you intend for them. The flables lliou Id
neither be too clofe, nor too much expofed to the
cold, neither fhould they be too public \ for if they
are, the noife your horfes will hear mufl undoubt-
edly prevent them from going to reft, which is the
moft neceffary fpecies of refreihment that animal
requires, to enable him to bear the fatigues of the
road. — Obferve, finally, that the halters have logs,
and be of fufficient length to admit your horfes to
lie down without any reilraiiit ^ for want of this
requifite, trifling as it may appear, I have known
horfes prevent'ed from taking kny reft, and even
lying down with eafe the whole night.

CHAP.

lo8 ASTLEY*S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

CHAP. IX.

Feedings Waterings Drejftngf and Managing Horfes^
either at Reft^ or on a Journey.

1 REVENTiNG difcafes in horfes is as defirable,
as the curing them : many diforders with which
they are afflided being caufed by improper
treatment.

With regard to the feeding, and the managing
them in every other refpedl, I would firfl: be cau-
tious to prevent evils, before I fay anything relative
to the cure ; for I am certain mofl of the difeafes,
incident to horfes, are to be avoided by proper at-
tention and management; thofe, which are not to
be prevented, I am equally certain, may be effec-
tually cured without fending for a farrier to bleed
or rowel them ; or to the chymift to drench, purge,
or fweeten them.

With refpecfl to the prevention of diforders, be
fure your horfes are firft provided with good hay,
oats, and flraw ; in feeding them, be careful not

to

ASTLEY*S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. IO9

to give them too much hay, which occafions
horfes more diforders than can be imagined : —
too much hay, or of a bad quality, occafions
flatulencies, difficulty in breathing, indigeftions,
flownefs of circulation of blood, and foul humours,
which frequently fettle on their lungs, and caufe
that diforder, to which horfes are fo liable, namely,
greafy heels. All their maladies are chiefly caufed
by giving them more hay, than, perhaps, their
age or their labour requires.

A horfe, not more than feven years old, re-
quires not fo much nourilliment as one of ten,
unlefs he have more labour to undergo : if he
have, then his food fliould be, in the fame degree,
increafed. — A young riding horfe, not exceeding
feven years old, fliould not have more than eigh-
teen pounds weight of hay per day, the fame
quantity of wheat-flraw, and two feeds of corn.
From that age, to twelve years, he may have as
much, as twenty pounds weight, and a preparer
and ftraw ; but in no inftance whatever Ihould
any horfe have more than twenty four pounds
weight per day. I have been convinced of the
bad efFedls of giving horfes more than in this
fpecified proportion. Greafy heels may only be
attributed to the great quantity of bad hay they
eat, unqualified with a proper quantity of corn ;
had they more corn, the bad effecfls of eating fo
much hay, would be, in fome degree, corre(fted ;

but,

110 astley's equestrian education*

but, as they are chiefly fed on hay of a bad
quality, they are always afflided with the above
difeafe. — ^^A little go©d wh^at-ftraw, laid in the
manger, wirh the hay, whether good or bad, is
very wholefome.

In the above diredions, refpe»5ling the quantity
to be given to ridijig horfes, I forgot to mention
that draught horfes fnould have in the proportion
of four pounds weight more per day ; obferve alfo^
never to water your horfes until they are entirely
cold , and if you arc travelling, be careful to have
their feet examined before you leave the inn, at
every ftage ; by this means, you will fee if any
flones or gravel are in their hoofs, or between
the fhoes and the hoof; you will likewife know if
their fhoes be bad, or requires removing; fhould
they want (hoeing, or to have their fhoes removed,
let it be done two days at leaf!: before you begin
your journey, in order to afford time fufficient
for them to fettle and conform to the feet. Com-
mence your journey, if poflible, with fhort ftages -,
never check or prevent your horfe from flaling,
for this caufes many accidents, fuch as the ftone,
the gravel, the dropfy, and the flranguary. — The
fird: pure and wholefome water you pafs, on the
road, after feven in the morning, in fummer, and
nine in the winter, let them drink a little ; but
the fafter you intend to travel, the lefs water you
need give them; if you be not in particular fpeed,

ride

astley's equestrian EDUCATIOK. Ill

ride or drive your horfes for fix minutes before
you arrive at your inn rather leifurely : this will
enable them to recover their wind, and when
unbridled, they will, with greater avidity and
appetite, take whatever feeding you think proper
to give them, provided it be fuch, and in the
quantities, I have before recommended ; (hould
your bufinefs require you to travel with more
hafte, order them, if it be warm weather, to be
walked about the ftable-yard, or inn door, in a
man's hand; by this method they will cool by
degrees, and, confequently, not be fo liable, as
they otherwife would be, to chill in the (lable;
but ihould the weather happen to be cold, let
them be covered with proper clothing, and then
order the groom or hoftler to walk, them in fome
ride or place, that is covered and fheltered from the
wind and weather ; Ihould there be no fuch
covered place, let them be taken into the (lable,
and their whole body rubbed down with frefli
ftraw, until they be perfedlly dry and clean.—
Thefe are all the rules, that I think requilite to
give, refpe(fling the management .of your horfes,
before you feed them.

With regard to their food, and farther care in
the ftable, it may be proper to obferve, that fhould
your horfes be dry, in confequence of your not
having given them any water on the road,' let
the oats you order them be wafhed in good mild

ale,

112 ASTLEYS EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

ale. — Dufl, fand, and quick refpiration,,fometinnes
dry the mouth and tongue of a horfe, fo as
intirely to deftroy his appetite •, to reftore this,
give him foine bran moiftened with water, which
will likewife greatly cool and refreih him ; (hould
you have ridden him exceflively hard, order him
to be unfaddlcd immediately, have his fweat
fcraped off, and deiire the hoftler to take a little
vinegar in his month, and fpirt it into that of
the horfe ; then let his head, his cheft, between
his fore legs, his belly, between his hind legs,
and, indeed, all his body be rubbed with clean
ilraw, until he be as dry as he poflibly can be
made ; fuffer him not to drink until he is entirely
cool, and has eaten a little hay or a few oats ;
for many horfes, by being permitted to drink too
foon after they are taken into the ftable, have
been ruined. — This carelefs and precipitate me-
thod is the caufe frequently of daggers and of fur-
feit in horfes ; — to dry the pannel of the faddle,
from the moiflure it imbibed from the perfpiration
of the horfe, order it to be placed in the fun or
before a fire.

Should you have come a long journey in the
day, examine, at night, your horfe *s back, in
order to fee if it be galled, pinched, or fwelled
from the too great preffure of the faddle.- — You
may, perhaps, not difcover it immediately on your
arrival at the inn, as the tumour or fwelling

frequently

ASTLEY S EQUESTRIAN" EDUCATION. II3

frequently does not form itfelf until feme time
after the faddle is taken off; in this cafe, I would
advife your examining the back again after fupper,
when, if it be wrung, you will certainly perceive
it, and the place. — Whenever you find fuch an
accident, you can apply nothing better to clea nfe
and ,heal it, than good brandy, mixed with the
white of an cggj and fhould the horle gall
between either its fore or hind legs, ufe the fame
remedy j but if you be careful to have the hoftler
rub the horfe well between the legs, he will fel-
dom gall in thofe parts.

Having given thefe directions for feeding and
managing horfes, at night, on a journey, 1 think
it proper here to concjude with repeating, what
is indifpenfably neceffary, namely — to have your
horfe's feet well wafhed, after which to be ex-
amined, In order to have all the fand and gravel,
lodged between the foles of their feet picked
out, and their fhoes, fhould it prove necelTary,
well put on.

Let their feet be fluffed with cow-dung,
which will greatly cool, eafe, and refre/h them,
from the wearinefs of the paft day's journey -,
and confequently prepare them better to fuflain
the fatigue of the fucceeding day. The reader
will find more on this head in the following chap-
ter.

I CHAP.

114 ASTLEYS EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

CHAR X.

Dialogue between Mr, y^Jiley and a Traveller

Traveller. IT gives me great pleafure, Mr.
Aftley, to have had an opportunity of dining
with you this day, and I fhall confider myfelf
highly favoured, if you will afford me half an
hour's converfation on the indifpofition of my
horfe, which has given me much trouble and
concern.

Mr. As T LEY. Moft willingly, Sir, it always
affords me the greateft pleafure to admin ifter every
afliftance, in my power, to the brute creation,
and efpecially to fo valuable a part of it. — You
will, therefore, pleafe to inform me, what you
have obferved with regard to your horfe 's indif-
pofition.

Traveller. When I left London, a fortnight
fince, my horff, apparently, was in good health ; I

ha ve

ASTLEYS EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. H5

have travelled about forty miles a-day, ufing the
precaution of flopping every ten miles to give him
a little water and hay, prior to my offering him
corn : both of which (for I clofely examined them)
have been of the beft quality, neither have I ridden
him at the rate of more than five miles and a half
an hour.

Mr. AsTLEY. I difcover, Sir, that you know
the neceffary point for preferving the horfe in
health on a journey ; namely, rtridly attending
to his being fed with the very beft hay, and alfo
the beft corn ; which certainly is one of our firft
duties.

Pray Sir, how did you difcover that your horfe
was indifpofed ?

Traveller. From his refufing, in part, his
allowance of corn and hay 5 in fad:, his lofs of
appetite daily encreafed.

Mr. As T LEY. How did you proceed, thus
circumftanced ?

Traveller. I fent for a farrier, in order to
deliberate what was beft to be done ; he advifed
the taking a little blood from him, but I fear he
took too much.

I % Mr.

n6 astley's equestrian education.

Mr. AsTLEY. If the horfe had any figns of
fever, or his pulfe was very high, I think he was
juftified.

Traveller. I believe he had no fever.

Mr. AsTLEY. In that cafe he did wrong ; for,
as the ftomach is influenced by health and difeafe,
and as that alone was afFeded, I could have wifhed
a flomachic had been applied, inftead of the bleed-
ing.

Traveller. Pray, Sir, what is the bed under
the prefent circumftances ?

Mr. AsTLEY. There are many; but firft, I
would advife you to find out a fubftitute for the
hay, and another for the corn ; in fhort, a proper
regimen of diet, which may afford fome relief,
andjvin time, efFed a total cure. — Of fuch fubfti-
tutcs, being timely adminiftetred, I have many
times experienced the efficacy, and furthermore,
I know they at leafl: enabled the horfe daily to
travel fhort journies, when he had no other
weight, except that of the rider.

Traveller. Sir I ad.iiire your ideas; pray
lofe no time, but inform me what are thefe fub-
flitutes ? and are they really conducive to the
prefervation of horfcs in health, on a journey ?

Mr.

ASTLEYS E(^ESTRIAN EDUCATION. II7

Mr. AsTLEY. Unqueftionably fo, Sir ; for
in the thoufands of miles that I have travelled,
and the number of years experience which I have
had, fuch have been their ufe to me, more parti-
cularly in hot weather, that, in fome cafes, fimilar
to the difeafe under which your horfe labours, I
could never have got to the end of my journey with-
out them ; and I have found that the horfes of five
years old, unaccuflomed to travel, have been more
fubje(5l to fuch difeafe than horfes much older.

Traveller. From your obfervations I may
infer, as my horfe is only rjfing four years old,
that that circumftance might, in p4rt, be the caufe
of his being not altogether equal to the journey,
and of courfe, though not ridden over hard, it might
affedl his appetite; but pray, Sir, proceed with
your fubftitutes,

Mr. AsTLEY. Half a pound of honey, nightly,
diifolved in a quart of boiling water, and imme-
diately thrown over half a peck of malt, (in a pail)
incorporated well together, and given to the horfe,
a handful at a time, a little warm, I have found
to be an excellent fubftitute for oats, for the night
and morning feeding, or an increafe of the quan-
tity, according to art.- — Honey J have found by
experience to be excellent for hoifes on a jour-
ney ; its balfamic, diuretic, and diaphoretic qua-
lities, Sec. I have no occafion to fpeak of, Um

fufiicien

Il8 ASTLEy's EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION,

fufficlently known. I have alfo given with great
fuccefs, a quarter of an ounce of fulphur, incor-
porated with the malt-mafh for a week together ;
and where honey could not be obtained, T have
made ufe of treacle. — As a fubftltute for hay in
difeafes of horfes, or to keep them in health, diced
carrots, parfnips, apples, and pears, I have found
to be excellent in the winter months ; and a little
grafs with the malt-mafh, highly neceffary in the
funimer months, in addition to the carrots, Sec.

Traveller. I mod heartily thank you for your
hints, and I hope I fhalJ profit by your advice ; I
moft certainly will adopt your prefcription ; but
pray. Sir, have you noticed, during your long ex-
perience, what have been the chief caufes of the
lofs of Appetite ?

Mr. AsTLEY. Great fatigue, bad food, travel-
ling in cold and rain ; carrying greater weight
than the horfe's ftrength is equal to ; pufhing him
fmait up hills, while he had water in his ftomach,
and keeping him long on the road, when the lofs
of appetite firft appeared ; fuch circumftances cer-
tainly tend to bring on and encreafe this difeafe ;
more particularly with young and fpirited horfes ;
I may add, from being too heavily fhod, or having
too much iron put in the fhoes, which fatigues a
horfe beyond all calculation, fuch I mean, as are for
a confiderable time on the road — a precaution to
the contrary mufl tend to prevent the complaint.

Traveller

ASTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. II9

TjkAVELLER. I have ever had my eye on this
point, confidering that an ounce of iron, placed at
the extremity of the horfe's foot, may be confidered
as equal to three pounds on his back.

Mr, As T LEY. Sir, you are before-hand with me
—you have anticipated my remark, and it is cer-
tainly well founded.

Traveller. Now, Sir, as we have got to the
horfe's feet, will you have the goodnefs to inform
me of the bed mode of preferving them on a
journey ?

Mr. AsTLEY. My pracflice has been to take
two penny worth of each of the following: linfeed
oil and turpentine oil, fhook well in a bottle, and
when the horfe's hoof is dry, T caufe it to be
rubbed well round the coronet/ as alfo the whole
hoof, fole, Sec. this to be applied every fecond
night, in hot weather, and every third night, when
the weather is damp or cold ; I have found it to
be excellent, eafily to be obtained, and every way-
equal to the purpofe.

In the intervening nights, I make ufeof a little
warm hog's lard, and fluff the feet up with a little
tow ; firfl: dipping it in the hog's lard, and placing
very little flicks, croffvvays, under the fhoe, in order
to keep the tow in its place.

CHAP.

120 ASTLEY*S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

CHAP. XI.

I'he many Difeafes to which Horfes are liable^ their
RegsmeUy and Method of Cure.

1 DO not mean here to give a long and elaborate
lift of all the diforders with which horfes are afflidl-
ed, but only fuch as are the mofl frequent and dan-
gerous, with particular dire(5lions to be obferved
in the management and regimen, as well as the
beft and moft ready phyfical means of preventing
and curing them. — So that whatever rules I take
the liberty of fuggefting, v/ill not be dilated by
dogmatical theory, but by the unerring proofs of
my own long experience.

Young horfes, of fpirit and vigour, I have al-
ways found the moft liabJe to diforders, and thofe
too of the moft dangerous nature — their animation
and natural heat of blood, caufe them frequently to
exhaufteven their great portion of ftrength, in fuch
a manner, as to leave them, when under unfkilful

management,

ASTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. 121

management, a prey to langour and to lofs of
appetite. — Their too violent exertions often inflame
their blood to fuch a degree, as to bring on them
the mofl alarming fevers. — Other diforders to which
they areliable, from great and extraordinary efforts
to fcrve you, are colds, obftruded circulation of
the blood, and furfeit. — But all thefe, as I have
hinted, may be caufed by carelefs and ignorant
treatment; leaving them to uninformed, unexpe-
rienced, and indolent grooms, occafions them
more affli(5lions than any other circumftance virhat-
ever. The horfe, indeed, could he fpeak, would
reiterate in your ears the following golden advice :

*' BE WATCHFUL THAT I AM TREATED WITH
PROPER CARE, AND FED WITH WHOLESOME FOOD,
AS A REWARD FOR MY SERVICES, AND FOR THE
ENABLING ME TO CONTINUE THEM.'*

Over-working horfes is not only the moft cruel,
but mofl impolitic condud you can obferve in the
management of them. — Many, to gratify a few
minutes vanity, in fhewing that their horfes are
better than any they pafs, or travel in company
with, will ride them in fuch a mad, inhuman, and
impr-udent manner, as intirely to ruin the beft of
creatures. — Others will, to arrive, perhaps, an hour
fooner at the end of their jour nry, ride or drive
their horfe. as fad up hill a'^d down dale as pof-
fible. — flence originate alj thofe evils-attendant on
fprains, on diflocatiuns, and confumptions: I can-
not,

122 astley's equestrian education.

not, therefore, too much recommend the greateft
care and moderation in riding or driving them ;
for the diforder, firft occalioned by this indifcreet
management, if not cured immediately, brings
upon them a hoft of other diforders, which com-
bined, baffle all the united powers of fkill and
medicine.

As mod of their difeafes are chymical, and have
their origin in their blood being vitiated by too
much heat, cold, or improper food, every pre-
caution (hould be ufed in riding and in feeding;
them.

A number of grooms erroneoufly imagine that a
horfe cannot retain his health and vigour, without
their conftantly bleeding, purging, fweating, rowel-
ling, &c. What ignorance and ftupidity ! From
this falfe opinion and condudl, many horfes are
bled and phyficked out of their ftrength and exift-
ence. Could a remedy be found thoroughly to
cure the effedls of idlenefs in the liable, to prevent
holUers, drivers, and grooms, from leaving their
horfes, after violent exercife, at a public houfe, ov
the door of a gin-fhop, many difeafes might, in-
deed, be prevented : not that I mean to fix a ge-
neral ftigma on all grooms, for I know there are
feme perfedlly qualified to be intruded with what-
ever horfes may be committed to their care. — It is
almoft a certainty if you find a groom careful of his

own

astley's equestrian education. 123

own money, he will take particular care of your
horfe !

The moment your horfe is attacked with any
indifpofition, he fhould be turned loofe into a large
open ftable ; but fhould the weather be warm, he
fhould be at liberty out of doors : for leave nature
to her own unerring; operations, and (he will per-
form more wonders than aM the lift of mediciaes
colledled in one genera] mafs ! I have f^en horfes
killed by ignorant perfons adminiftering ftrong
purges; — a proof that the habit of body or the
difeafe of the horfe rendered them im|jroper. — But
although I condemn the general adminiftration of
medicines, whenever a horfe has the leaft illnefs,
yet 1 acknowledge there are fome acute difeafcs,
which abfolucely require the immediate afliftance
of phyfic, whilft otners require very little or no
attention.

LOSS OF APPETITE.

As the ftomach is the principal feat of this difeafe
the greater attention ought to be paid to it.

Young horfes are moft fubjedl to thif^ diforder,
from being liable to contract colds, coughs, fevers
&c. in confequence of being ovei-worked : when a

horfe

124 ASTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

horfe is afflided with this difeafe, and it ihould
proceed from the above caufe, and be attended
with a little fever, take away from him immediatelyy
one pint of blood, and one pint a day for four
mornings after ; but if the fever increafe, go on
with one pint a day for feven mornings, give him
the fever powders (fee inde^: at word fever) when-
ever the fever appears, but not otherwife — then
take half a pound of honey, and diflblve it in a
quart of boiling water; pour this to half a peck
of malt or bran, and after you have blended it well,
give the horfe three or four handfuls every hour;
continue this regimen for fome days, at the fame
time, let him be perfectly at reft ; and if it be in
the fummer feafon, cut a little grafs for him,
which, as it is his natural food, will greatly refrefh
and nourifh him — but fhould he refufe to eat the
above, give him fome water-gruel, fweetened with
honey, to the quantity of three pints a day, in
equal proportions. — You may add to the gruel, a
quarter of a pint of diftilled annifeed water, which
may be had at any inn, or public-houfe on the
road. But ftiould he not take cordially any of the
above preparations, turn him immediately from the
rack, and tie to his bit a quarter of an ounce of
afa fastida, put in a rag.— Let him champ on this
for 4 few hours, which will greatly tend to recover
his fpirits, and reflore his appetite.

Should

ASTLEYS EQUESTRIAN EDUCATIOK. 12^

Should he have a purging at the fame time,
which frequently happens, give him a pound of
treacle, difH Ived in a quart of water, by the ailift-
ance of a horn or a bottle. — You will find this an
excellent remedy to cleanfe the bowels of all thofe
corrofive particles, which lie in his fiomach, pro-
ceeding from unwholefome feeds and weeds, that
often are found in hay, and are the caufe of
his being thus purged. — If he have this additional
difeafe, you will find him wafte in flrength, fpirits,
and flefh, fo fad, as to render him irrecoverable,
if you lofe a moment in applying the remedy I
have here advifed.

Should his lofs of appetite proceed from a vio-
lent cough, and very high fever * let two quarts of

blood

♦ A fever is known by every groom or farrier, who has
the leaft knowledge of what is the regular circulation of a
horfe*s blood : for by the flownefs or quicknefs of the pulfe
the ft ate of the animal is to be afcertained. A violent
quick pulfe will always denote either the fymptom or the pa-
roxyfm of a moft raging fever. This is like wife to be known
by other figns, fuch as extreme languor of fpirits, chillnefs in
the extremities of the body and limbs, intenfe heat in the mouth,
torpor of the faculties, drowfinefs of the fenfes, and a total
inaftion in the whole frame and animal fvflem. When thefe
fymptoms appear, the horfe fhould be immediately bled as dl-
re6led J if not, the animal is in danger of dying in the courfc
of a fev/ days ; for this is generally his fate, in a vioknt fever.
Many hundreds of horfes have I known to be thus rapidly
carried out of exiftence, for want of the immediate care, which

1 have

126 astley's equestrian education.

blood be immediately taken from him, and give
him fmall dofes of fever-powders, frequently re-
peated, with walking exercife, if poflible. Ob-
ferve, at the fame time, to keep him clothed with
feveral rugs, and inftead' of placing them over
his back, as the feat of his diforder lies^ in his
bowels, let them be placed, fo as to cover his belly
entirely, and only meet on the back. Put a cloth
over them and the body roller, which bind toge-
ther with the furcingle.

Honey is excellent for horfes afflided with
great difficulty of breathing, violent coughs, colds,
and obftru(5lions, indeed I have never found any
thing more effe(5lual. — Nothing is more eafy in its
operation. — From the experience I have had of its
qualities. I have taken myfelf, for thefe lafl twenty
years, a large table fpoonful of it every morning
in water gruel, which is my conftant breakfaft in
winter. — In fummer I take milk, which, I confider,
has then all the qualities of honey, from the cows
feeding upon the herbage and flowers, whence
the bees extrad this divine fubflance. — That honey
fhould be falurary in the highefl degree to horfes,
is not in the leaft furprifing, as it is the effence of
their natural food, and therefore, mufl be conge-
nial to their conftitution and their nature.

I have recommended— but when they have been bled, as I have
prefcribed, and had the fever powd^Ys (fee itiikx, ivord fevers)
I have known as many to be faved.

When

astley's equestrian education. 127

When the diforder is at its crifis I would advife
the following drink :

Take one quart of thin water-gruel, fweetened
with -honey; of linfeed, annifeed, and carraway
feeds, each half an ounce ; two cloves of garlick ;
the latter beaten in a mortar, are to be put in the
gruel, give of this preparation, night and morning,
one quart each time.— Repeat this medicine until
the cold is entirely cured, and the appetite of the
horfe reftored.

During this, let him have no water but what
is rendered luke warm, by the addition of boiling
water. Ufe moderate exerclfe, which will tend to
caufe the medicine to be more effedlual in its
operation •, — by obferving this with proper care
and perfeverance you will find your horfe very
foon recover from his indifpofition — but you mull
be careful, whilft you are adminiftering the above
drink, to have him rubbed down with ftraw, and
clothed carefully, agreeably to the urgency of the
feafon.

To aid the above remedies in their operations,
if the horfe be of a coftive habit of body, admi-
nifter the following clyfler :

Take five pints of whey, three ounces of fenna,
half a pound of common fugar, half a pint of fweet

oil.

128 astley's equestrian education.

oil, and a handful of fait -, boil thefe ingredients
all together, and give a fufficient quantity as a
clyfler,' tolerably warm, to the horfe. — Repeat this
for three days fucceffively ; fuffej him to eat bran-
maflies, give him a good bed of ftraw to indulge
his inclination for lying down; and if his ftable
be paved with ftones or bricks, to prevent the cold
from chilling his bowels, cover his belly and
loins with proper clothing, as a defence againfl
this danger.

STRANGLES.

They generally commence with a tumour ot
fwelling under the throat, and many times in
other parts of the body.

REMEDY.

Be careful the horfe has not any cold water
given him, feed him as recommended in the other
diforders, keep him moderately warm, and exer-
cife him gently until the tumour difcharges itfelf
of the collecfled matter — then anoint the fwelling,
which may remain, with warm linfeed oil, and
keep it from the inclemency of the air; for I am
convinced, fhould 3'Ou attempt to difperfe the
fwelling by mercurials, you would only drive the
infetflious matter through the whole frame, and

thus

astley's' equestrian education. 129

thus vitiate his intire mafs of blood, which, by an
effort of nature, was thus purifying itfelf, by form-
ing in the tumour a collection of chat foulnefs, it
might have contradled from furfeit, contagion, or.
fudden tranfitions from heat to cold, and from
cold to heat. — Thus, by not permitting nature to
end her own work, you prevent her all-wife in-
tentions, her beneficent defigns.

During forty years pracflice, I have had a great
number of young horfes, that have been mofl vio-
lently afflidled with this diforder. — Others very
flightly, but I have not had a fingle horfe die, in
confequence of this diftemper.

Before I difmifs this fubjedl, I wifli to obferve
that, fhould the tumour be difficult in admitting of
a felf difcharge, it would not be improper to aflifl
nature by lancing it in two places, and then in
the orifices placing two or three twilted horfe-hairs
tying their ends together in the form of a ring; this
will keep the tumour open until all the matter be
difcharged. — Anoint the place afflicSled at the fame
time with ointment of elder, until it is intirely
healed ; alfo give the veterinary powders, recom-
mended for the ftrangles, &c. {S^mdex^at word
fir angles.)

K

THE

130 ASTLEYS EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION'.

THE VIES

Appear fomewhat like the ftrangles, but arc
more virulent, numerous, and dangerous. — They
gather in fmall fwellings on each fide of the
throat, caufe the horfe a confiderable degree of
pain, deprive him of his appetite, and are exceed-
ingly difficult to cure.

THEIR REMEDY

Is the fame as for the flrangles, excepting, that
Ihould the attendant inflammation be very great,
you are to bleed the horfe proportionably, and pre-
ferve his throat from the cold by proper bandages,
which may not irritate the parts afflidled : give the
horfe the veterinary powders, as for the flrangles.

GLANDERS,

Their figns are a violent emiilion of white, yel-
low, and green foeted matter ; it is frequently
ftreaked with blood ; it flows from one or both nof-
trils ; they are likewife attended with kernels un-
derneath the jaw-bones.— Both young and old horfes
are fabject to this difeafe. — The caufe is moflly to
be attributed to long and continual colds, which
inipoverifii the blood and juices, and fuch as have

not

ASTLEY*S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. 13!

not been properly and effedtually cured.-— The na-
ture of this difeafe is fuch, that, in its lail !lage,
it may be compared to a man in a conlumption,
and is equally difficult to remove

The experience which I have had, in the cavalry
in Germany, has clearly demonitrated to me tlie
truth of this. — I have known horles, after landing
two campaigns, to have been fhot, under the pre-
judiced fuppolition (from their being afflidledwith
this diforder), that they were incurable, and would
infedl the reft of the horfes. But as 1 have known
horfes fhot on the right and on the left of them
for this diforder, while others that were interme-
diate efcaped its efFeds, nothing can be a greater
proof to me that this difeafe is not contagious by
the medium of the air. — Should a healthy horfe
imbibe or tafte any of the faliva of one, which is
affecSled, I will not fay but that, in fuch cafe, the
diforder might be caught.

With regard to its being incurable, from the
many I have reftored, I can, with the greateft con-
fidence, conclude fuch affertion to be equally
founded in error.

When the running of this foetid matter has been
fo great, as I have witnefled, it has defied all the
powers of medicine, and the fkill of the moft ex-

K 2 perienc;;'d

132 ASTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

perienced farrier. — The diforder thus continued
daily to increafe, without the lead hopes or prof-
pecft of its being diminifhed. — The horfe's ftrength
thus decreafing very rapidly, and his whole fyftem
debilitating, he was at length found to be tota^lly
irrecoverable, and was under the neceflity of being
fhot.

Some horfes, though they flood in the famfc
liable with thofe afflicted with this diforder,
efcaped from even the leafl fymptom of it. But I
have known others that have been expofed to the
inclemency of the v/eather,very muchaffli(5led with
it. It appears, therefore, to be more the effecfl of
cold than of contagion ; — it proceeds likewife from
hard riding in winter, bad food, extremes of heat
and of cold, and from not having that care taken
of them, which they require after a long, a fevere,
and a violent exercifing.

If this dlfeafe be in its firfl ftage, it is curable,
but if in the laft, it is very difficult, indeed, to re-
cover the horfe fo affliifled ; — yet I would not
recommend either too much confidence, nor too
much defpondency in prejudging the poflibiJityor
impoflibility of curing any difeafe ; fori havefeen
horfes mofl: violently affliclcd with this diforder,
and even in its worll ftagc, reilored to their former
health and vigour.

CURE.

ASTLEy's ECLUESTRIAN EDUCATION. I33

CURE.

In the firft ftage of the glanders, bleed, and
keep the horfe warm 5 give him bran-mafhes
fweetened with honey, and infufe into them a hand-
ful of linfeed, and one ounce of brimftone ; let
him drink nothing but warm water, in which plenty
of honey has been diffolved.

Ground-ivy, cut very fmall, and mixed with
his corn or bran-mafhes, I have found moft excel-
lent in the cure of old coughs, colds, and the fir/l
ftage of the glanders ; — it is likewife moft effedual
in difperfing the tumours under the throat of the
horfe. — In adminiftering thefe remedies, ftridl care
Ihould be taken, that the horfe have very mode-
rate exercife every day, that he be then rubbed
dry with clean flraw, be in a warm ftable, and well
clothed.

As a flill more effedlual means of furthering the
cure, you may injecSl every morning a little warm
vinegar up his noflrils.

In the lad (lage of the glanders, the greatefl:
care mufl be taken in adminiftering the remedy
hereafter prefcribed ; left the difeafe ihould fo much
increafe, as to make the cure afterwards too

difficult

134 astley's equestrian education.

difficult to be effecfled by your fkill and endeavours.
Thus rendering ufelefs and of no avail all your
former care and your medical applications.

Having given the medicines already prefcribed
for the firfl ftage, for about a fortnight, and find-
ing the difeafe rather Increafe, than diminifh, adopt
the following external remedy : — Cut out the
kernals under the throat, and drefs the wounds
well with the Author's veterinary arquebufade {fee
iddsx^ at iDord arquebufade) and keep the wound
open with a fmall tent for a month or fix weeks;
let the tent itfelf be dipped in the following fimplc,
hut excellent ointment : take half a pound of
hog's lard, half an ounce of virgin- wax, a quarter of
an ounce of Venice turpentine, and the yolks of
four eggs, beat up with fweet oil ; melt the three
firfl ingredients in a pipkin or ladle ; then pour in
the mixture of eggs and oil, and flir them until
they be cold. Should the ointment be found too
hard for ufe, you may foften it with fweet oil.

Continue giving the horfe warm water fweetened
with honey, during the adminiftering of thefe
remedies. — If the glanders be curable, you will
find the following efFedually to anfwer your en-
deavours to refiore him to his former health. If
the cure be pradticable, you vvill fee it efFeCled in
about a month, or fix weeks ; but (hould your re-
medies, during this time of application, prove fo

ineffedlual

ASTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. I35

ineffe(flual, as not to have afforded your horfe the
leaft relief, there remains then little or no hopes at
all of his recovery.

THE LAST REMEDY.

Take half a pound of guiacum-rafpings, three
ounces of liquorice, one ounce of tar, 4 ounces of
Peruvian bark, and fix drachms of balfam of Tolu.
Boil thefe in eight quarts of river water, until you
reduce it to fix quarts ; flrain it off as foon as pof-
fible, and give a quart of it milk-warm every day,
for three weeks.

During the above, take aloes in powder, two
drachms : flowers of benjamin, half a drachm :
^thiops mineral, thirty grains ; infufe the whole in
warm ale and give it to the horfe every morning
for ten days, keeping him moderately warm.

DISEASES OF THE EYES. .

If any accident happen to the eye or eyes of
a horfe, from a blow or contufion, he fhould be
bled plentifully, and kept upon moderate diet. —
Should there appear a whitifhfilm over the ball or
fight, blow into it with a quill, a fmall quantity of
lapis caliminaris in powder, night and morning :

but

136 ASTLEy's EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION,

but fhould neither bleeding, nor this outward
application prove effedual, take a quarter of a
drachm of white vitriol, and mix it with a drachm
of lapis caliminaris ; reduce thefe into a powder,
and blow a very fmall quantity of it on the film,
every morning, which, in about five or fix days,
will intirely remove it.

Should the diRemper proceed from a cold, or a
natural defedl in the eye, caufed by hard riding,
grofs feeding, or want of exercife, and it fhould
appear fwelled, clofed, and llreaked with blood,
bleed very frequently, which will remove the in-
flammation, and, without any other affiftance,
bring about an entire cure.

If the horfe's eye be naturally defe<5live, and
the fight or chryftal have fpots in it, you may deem
it incurable; but there are fome horfes, which
have loft their fight, and yet preferve their ap-
pearance in fo perfedl a manner, as to render it
almoft impoffible for the greateft fkill and expe-
rience to difcover the blemifh ; — no wonder, there-
fore, that it fhould be found fo difficult to afcertain
the goodnefs or badnefs of a horfe's eyes in general !

To prevent, as much as poffible, this accident
of bad eyes happening to horfes, 1 would advife
them not to be fed above the due proportion to
their work. Corn, frequently given in large quan-
tities,

astley's equestrian education. 137

titles, is the caufe of horfes lofing their fight;
as a prefervative they Ihould be bJed one quart ac
lead, once a month ; imlefs their exercifes be
fufficient for the evacuation of thofe humours by
perfpiration. — I have known none fubjed to this
evil, that have been fed with a proper quantity
of ftraw. — Such are the virtues of draw mixed with
the horfes food, that it not only cleanfes, but
invigorates the body ; — by occafional flraw-diet,
horfes are adapted for war, by hay and corn, given
in greater proportions, than is, neceffary, they are
only fit for their own dunghills !

CHOLIC AND GRIPES.

SYMPTOMS.

A horfe affliifled with this diforder is known by
his frequently lying down, and rolling incelTantly,
from the acutenefs and violence of the pain^ he
fufFers ; he breathes fhort, which is perceived by
the great heaving of his flank. — Cart and coach-
horfes are moflly fubjed: to thefe diforders, from
their being more expofed to ftand in the weather;
by which they are often feizcd with the mofl dan-
gerous coughs and colds, and thefe are generally
attended with the bowels being more or lefs afFeded,

THE

138 astley's equestrian educatioic^

THE CURE.

With regard to the method of curing either the
cholic or gripes generally adopted, I cannot, from.
what I have pracStifed and experienced, give it
my recommendation. But clyfters may be given
with fafety and efficiency. Bleeding and purging,
is the common method, are fure to debilitate the
horfe, without affording him any relief; for the
diforder of the bowels, not arifmg from any dif-
temper the blood has contraded, it is contrary to
reafon, to fuppofe any means ufed for its purifica-
tion can avail in removing what has a different
caufe, and a different feat in the body. — So ex-
cellent are clyflers in all complaints, arifingfrom
indigeflion or indifpofition of the vifcera, that al-
moft in ev^ery internal malady of this nature they
will be found, if given at proper intervals, mofl
falutary.

Many perfons have reforted for a cure of thefe
diforders, to riding or driving their horfes in a
violent manner ; but the confideration of a mo-
ment would inform them that fuch a mode muft
agitate; and therefore, inflame their bowels, which
are but too much fo already. Others will rub the
belly of the horfe with a ffick, which is equally
pernicious and ineffedlual, as riding them violently ;
— by this means the bowels are frequently bruifed

inftead

astley's equestrian education. 139

inflead of being relieved ; it is true that gentle
fridlion will give the animal temporary relief; that
is if you have his belly rubbed gently with ftraw,
you will find it afford him a little eafe ; but then
this is not a radical cure, which nothing will fo
foon effecfl as clyfters, given opportunely and re-
peatedly. It is neceffary here to obferve that, from
the horizontal pofition of the horfe, thefe com-
plaints have not thofc means of natural relief, which
they have in man, ariling from his erec> pofition ;
confequently thefe difeafes are, in general, more
fevere and difficult to cure in horfes, than in
human' beings ; fo that greater care, patience, and
tendernefs are requifite towards them for their
recovery from thefe terrible diforders.

REMEDY.

Take a quarter of a pint of thin water-gruel
fweetened wkli honey, into which put a quarter
of a pint of annifeed, which you may get at any
inn or public houfe, and add {ive or fix cloves of
pepper : giv^e half a pint of this preparation, milk-
warm, every three hours to the horfe, until you
perceive the difeafe is fomewhat abated, give him
likewife bran-maHies tolerably warm, as recom-
mended in fome of the diforders before-mentioned.
Let him then have as foon as poffible the follow-
ing

CLYSTER.

140 ASTLEYS EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

CLYSTER,

Take two quarts of water in which tripe has
been boiled \ — four ounces of olive oil and frefli
butter j a handful of camomile flowers-, half an
ounce of fenna ; two ounces of common fugar or
honey ; boil all thofe together, and then drain the
compolition through a fine lieve, or coarfe cloth ;
and give from half to three quarters of a pint tole-
rably warm. — Repeat this clyfter every three hours,
until you find the horfe relieved from his pain.—
Let him be kept, during this indifpofition, in a
large liable, well littered with clean flraw ; be
fure to keep him warm, and take off his halter, in
order to let him range at full liberty.

GIDDINESS.

Sometimes a horfe will be feized with fuch a gid-
dinefs as to fall down the moment he comes out
of the flable into the air. This is chiefly caufed
by a phletoric habit, groffnefs of the blood, and
humours, occafioned by over feeding, want of
proper exercife, and being cpnfined too long in a
clofe flable. — The fpirits and circulation being
thus rendered torpid and inadive, when they are
roufed by the adlion of frefli air, the brain is not

able

astley's equestrian education. 141

able to endure the impetuofity, which caufcs that
fwimming in the head, you will always find at-
tended with a failure in the limbs \ — as children
when playing- will frequently turn round fo many
times as to caufe them to be incapable of pre-
ferving themfclves from falling, unlefs they lean or
fupport themfelves by a chair, table, or any other
thing which prefents itfelf for their ailiftance ; {o
are the effedls of this giddinefs fhewn when a
horfe is feized with it.

This diforder is rather to be prevented than
cured, by giving the horfe moderate food, gentle
exercife, and at intervals a clyfter, or purgatives
(fee index at word aloes).

SHAKES OR WRENCHES IN THE
SHOULDERS.

Young horfes are moftly liable to ftrains, and
notwithftanding the greateft care, they flill may
happen to the beft of horfes ; when they do, they
are moftly beyond the reach of medicine. — How-
ever, the following remedies may be ufed, as they
have been known frequently toeffcd a cure, when
the ftrain or wrench has not been exceiUvely

Let

J^Z ASTLEYS EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION,

Let him be bled in the plate-vein, and put in his
chefl a rowel, well lieeped in the tindlure of can-
tharides ; then turn him into a large open flablc,
if it bevvinier, or to grafs, if in fummer: fhould
the diforder be not defperately bad, you may try
the following ointment, which has proved wonder-
fa lly efficacious in fome difeafes of the above na-
ture.

Take of bees-wax, pitch, and common turpen-
tine, each half a pound; of olive-oil one pound;
of mutton-fuet half a pound ; of oils of turpentine
and linfeed, each, four ounces : melt thefe ingre-
dients in an iron ladle feparately; then put them
into an earthen pot, in order to incorporate them
well together by means of a gentle fire. — Rub the
ointment well over the part affedled, and, in order
to make it penetrate the fkin, hold a hot fire-fhovel
before it : repeat this application every two days
for a fortnight.

STRAINS, WRENCHES, AND WINDGALLS,
FROM THE KNEE TO THE HOOF,

Occafioned by hard Ridings iSc,

CURE.

The following fimple and cheap embrocation
will be found ferviceable in curing thefe cafualties.

Take

ASTLEYS EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. 143

Take of oil of turpentine, double-diflilled vine-
gar, and fpirits of wine, each a gill ; but obferve
to mix firfl with the turpentine alone, the whites
of two eggs, in order the better to diffblve them
blend the whole together, and rub the part affeded
with it, night and morning, uling a flannel wrap-
per to keep it warm ; fo efficacious is this medi-
cine, that there is fcarcely a ilrain, or bruife, but
it will cure, if the bone be not injured ; but fhould
the bone be hurt, it is neceflary then to foment the
part with fuch common herbs as are ufed on fuch
occafions : this muft be done before you embrocate
the part. — The befl: manner is to take a piece of
double canvafs uiing a ftick to each end ; then fleep
a piece of flannel in the fomentation — and having
wrung it rather dry, by the aid of the canvafs and
Hicks, apply it as hot to the ftrain, &c. as the horfe
can poflibly bear it, covering it with a horfe-cloth.
« — Having repeated this application feveral times,
let the part be rubbed entirely dry, and then
bathed with the embrocation twice every day, for
three days together : then once a day i — and thus,
difcontinue it, in proportion as the difcafe difap-
pears. — The fomentation may be ufed as frequent-
ly, as you think proper, in all cafes Vv'here the
bone has received any injury ; but where the
fmews, mufcles, and nerves are only drained, the
embrocation may be found fufficient ; — care muft
be taken that you do notufe it more than lix times
fuccefiively, lefl it fnould bring off fome of the

hair.

144 ASTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

hair, to prevent which, apply the opodeldoc till
the horfe is cured. (^See index^ at word opo-
deldoc.

SADDLE-GALL, AND GALLING BETWEEN
THE FORE LEGS.

Thefe complaints arife from not being circum-
fpedl in, keeping the horfe rubbed dry from fweat,
and clean from dirt which he contrads between
the fore legs: thefe negligences caufe the horfe to
chafe in thofe parts.

CURE,

Should the gall in either the back, or the fore
legs be recent, nothing will be found better than
the white of an egg, fpread on whitebrown paper
and then laid on the fore, after it is well cleanfed
with brandy and water ; but Ihould you be on a
journey, and not be able to apply this remedy,
you mufi:, in fuch cafe, bathe it with brandy and
fweet-oil, till you arrive where the horfe can have
reft, then ufe the green ointment, made as I (hall
hereafter prefcribe.

THE GREEN OINTMENT.

Take of bees-wax, one ounce ; of mutton-fuet,
two ounces i and of verdigreafe in powder, a quar-
ter

astley's equestrian education. 145

ter of an ounce : melt thefe together, and keep
ftirring them until they are cold : foften the whole
with fweet-oil.

THE AUTHOR'S SPERMACETI LINIMENT,
FOR CRACKED HEELS, &c.

Takeof fpermaceti, four ounces ; of yellow wax,
one ounce i of Venice turpentine, half an ounce;
of verdigreafe, in fine powder, a quarter of an
ounce-, of Euphorbium, in fine powder, half an
ounce ; linfeed-oil, one ounce ; (let the wax and
fpermaceti be melted) laftly, put in the linfeed-oil,
turpentine, verdigreafe, and the Euphorbium, and,
when the veffel is taken off the fire, flir it till the
whole be cold.

This liniment, applied to cracked heels, fores,
ulcers, or the like, will prove exceedingly fervice-
able.

MANGE, BLOOD-RUNNING ITCH, Sec

CURE.

The cure is as fimple as the caufe, and is efFecfled
by ufing the following recipe:

Put three ounces of crude mercury into two
quarts of boiling water in a (lone bottle, then put

L a blad-

146 as-tley's equestrian education.

bladder on your hand, in order to defend it from
! he eiTcifl of the mercury : thus guarded, rub with
a fponge, dipped in this mixture, all over thofe
parts of the body of the horfe, on which the mange
or itch appears. — Obferve to let the mercury fub-
fide, before you attempt to ufe the vvater: two or
three fuch rubbings generally efFe(5l a cure ; but
fhould they be found infufficient, a fourth may be
reforted to with fafety. — Give, at the fame time,
phyfic,*asprefcribed, internally, which will greatly
accelerate the cure, by cleanfing the body. You
may likewife give the horfe a table fpoonful of
brimftone, in a bran-mafh, night and morning;
but he muft ndt be rubbed more than once a day,
and care muft be had not to touch his eyes, his
privities, or any other part, too tender for the cor-
rofive properties of this medicine. — To prevent his
imbibing any of the mercury, by licking it ofFhis
body, let his head be tied to the manger, in fuch
a manner, as to prevent his having the power of
making his mouth fore. — Having ufed the liquid
three days with fuccefs, mix together fix drachms
of aloes, the fame quantity of rhubarb, and half a
drachm of ginger, all in powder, with firup of
buckthorn, and liquorice-powder : form the whole
into two balls, which conflitute a dofe. — Give him
a fecond on the third morning after, and another
on the fix-th. — The firft dofe may not purge him,
but the fecond and third moft certainly will : let
his water be luke warm.

ASTLEV'S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. I ^^

It would be proper before you begin the appli-
cation of rubbing him with the mercurial water,
tocaufe him to perfpire, by riding half a mile or a
mile, on a pace fufficient to make him fweat.

The fecond Remedy.

Take gunpowder, diffolved in vinegar, and rub
the horfe every morning ail over his body, parti-
cularly his mane and tail -, repeat the fame for a
week, giving him three times a day a warm malt-
mafh, with a fmall table fpoonful of fulphur, well
mixed with the ma{h, for feven days; at the end
of whirh omit both, and wafh off the powder with
ftrong warm lees of tobacco-water, viz. three
pounds boiled in three gallons of water, till half
the water is confumed ; repeat this three days,
after which drefs the horfe as ufual. — This remedy,
for the mange in dogs, is the bed I ever knew,
provided plenty of boiled milk and bread be given
to them during its application.

A third Remedy. {Generally made ufe of in France .
and with great Succefs.)

Take equal proportions — fay three half pints of
turpentine, and three half pints of beer, put them
into a bottle, and fhake them well together; put
two halters on the horfe, and faflen him to a pofl
or tree, with a quantity of dung fpread round it,
to prevent him from hurting himfelf. Snake the
bottle, and with a man on each fide, rub him well

L 2 all

148 ASTLEy's EQJJESTRIAN EDUCATION.

all over, and quick, particularly if the difeafe be
very bad ; but in tliree quarters of an hour the
pain totally abates, and you may untie the horfe
with fafety, — A malt-mafh fhould be prepared for
him, obferving he is not to be curried or drefled
for feveral days ; after which, wafh the horfe all
over with a flrong decodlion of tobacco-water, as
in the second remedy, three fucceflive morn-
ings, and he will be effedlually cured. The French
objedl to this remedy for dogs, but apply it to their
horned cattle.

N. B. During the cure, give the veterinary
powders for the mange. (^S*^^ index^ at word

mange,)

BROKEN LEGS.

It is u nneceifa ry to engage the reader's time
with detailing a cure for fuch accidents ; for it is
almofl a phenomenon to effedl that of a broken
bone in a horfe, fo as to fender him again fit for
fervice. — It is true, I have known a horfe cured,
by having been flung for three months, and his leg
fplintered and properly bandaged during the whole
time ; biit when the great hazard of his ever being
refiored, fo as to be fit for fervice, and the great
expence of keeping him ufelefs, during all this
tin-\e, are confidered, it will furely appear fcarcely

worth

ASTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. I49

worth any perfon*s while to keep a horfe fo long
an unneceflary vicflim of torture. I would, there-
fore, advife him to be ihot immediately on his
meeting with fuch a cafualty. Should it be a
mare, from which you would wi(h to breed,
you may then ufe your own difcretion, by en-
deavouring to have the bone fet in the befl man-
ner poflible.

A LOCKED-JAW.

The Author, in the courfe of forty years public
exercifes, has loft, by this dreadful difeafe, four
of his moft valuable horfes ; the firft was in the
year 1780, in the city of Vienna, by the horfe
treading on a piece of a broken bottle, with
the off fore- foot. The fecond was in the year 1788,
in the city of Paris, by the horfe running againft
n bar of fmall fquare iron (that entered his flank),
which a cart was conveying through the ftreets.
The third in the year 1792, in Dublin, by the
horfe, in the courfe of his Equeftrian Exercifes,
treading upon a rufty twenty-penny nail, which
entered the centre of his near fore-foot, about one
inch and a half deep. The fourth was in London,
by the horfe treading with his off hind-foot on
fome edged tool, fuppofed a chifel j the wound
about three quarters of an inch in depth.

The

150 astley's equestrian education.

The Author, not fatisfied with his own judge-
ment, in the above cafes, called in the affiftance
of feveral profeflional men, to deliberate with hina
on the poflibility of effed^ing a cure, but was un-
fuccefsful, for within nine days they all died.

It will here, perhaps, not be improper to men-
tion the different modes recurred to in the dif-
ferent places. In Vienna, the foot was carefully
opened, and the warmefl vulneraries applied, with
the frequent adminiftration of clyfters, but to no
purpofe. In Paris, the wound was dreffed by the
profeffors of the Veterinary College, and with the
warmefl: balfamics of every fort, that human wif-
dom could devife ; but the horfe had a very high
fever ; in confequence of which, manna, firup
of rofes, fal mirabile, &c. were adminiflered in
fmall dofes, but to no efFe(fl. The third, the
horfe *s foot was opened, entirely round the wound,
by myfelf, and burnt alum, vitriol, &c. poured
in ; after which, a plentiful ufe of digefl:ives was
reforted to, alfo without fuccefs, for the horfe
died within eight days. The fourth, the part
round the wound was laid open, with the greateft
care, and a fmall hot iron prefled to the bottom of
the v/ound ; after which, the beft digefllves were
carefully applied, and the horfe was immediately
given a ftrong dofe of ^thiop's mineral : this
ipethod jQliled; he died within nme days.

. I (hould

ASTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. 151

I fhould think myfelf highly indebted to any
gentleman, who would have the gocdnefs to lurniih
me with an effecflual cure for this dreadful, this
fatal, difeafe in the horfe, as the numbe t, which
I have known to have died of the locked jaw, in
the army, kc. are beyond my calculation.

A CLYSTER FOR AN ACUTE FEVER.

In a common emollient decocflion, m.ade with
an ounce and a half of polychreft, mixed v;ith
herbs, to which you will add fennel- feed, pounded
and boiled with them, and two handfuls of whole
barley ; after having ftrained the whole, you are
to add, of the oil of rofes and of violets, each fo'ir
ounces, and two ounces of benedi(5le, or three of
caffia ; thus prepared, the clyfter will detergr the
bowels, while it comforts them ; it would not be
amifs to rub a horfe that has a fever againjl the
graiUy for the purpofe of more effedlually opening
the pores, and expelling the fuliginous, fmoky
vapours, that exift under the fkin, th. s promoting
perfpiration ; give alfo the fever-powders. {See
mdex, word fever.)

I have known this medicine prove of infinite
utility to fome horfes; to oihers, ii was not given
with equal fuccefs : but when I find a Iiorf con-
tinue to have a violent fever, from four to fix days,

without

152 ASl^LEY S EQUESTRIAN tDUCATlON.

without intermiflion, I give myfelf no farther trou-
ble about him, judging him to be incurable; for
I have not known any to recover, after having
been fo long aftiicled with a fever, which ends, I
repeat, by totally confuming the liver.

GOLDEN SULPHUR OF ANTIMOxNY.

Boil the regulus of antimony, with crude ditto,
two pounds ; of tartar one pound ; and of fine
nitre half a pound; for the purpofe of procuring
the fcoria. The regulus is found to be of great
utility in medicine, but in this particular inflance
it is reforted to, merely to obtain the fcoHa, in
which the golden fulphur, which we arefearching
after, is contained. You are, therefore, to feparate
the fcoria, and put it into boiling water ; flir it
frequently — it willdiflblve — take itoffthefire, let it
fettle, and pour the cleareft part off at pleafure.

Boil, in other water, tartar in powder ; flir it
often, and make it diffolve; take the water you
poured off firil, and throw the latter into it by flow
degrees; you will find it to emit a difagrecable,
foetid fmell, and a brownifh powder will be found
at the bottom, which powder is tht golden fulphur
of antimony \ let it dry on brown paper, and keep
it for ufe : the dofe is to be from half an ounce to
an ounce, n^ixed with double the quantity of very

fine

ASTLEYS EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. I53

fine wheaten flour ; diffolve the whole well in a
pint of wine ; let it infufe a whole night, and give
it to the horfe every morning, taking care to keep
him bridled two hours before, and three after, and
continue fo doing fifteen or twenty days ; thus, with-
out any other remedy, the animal will foon recover.

I have blended the flour with the golden ful**
phur, that the lacrer fhould not precipitate to the
bottom of the veflcl, and that it fhould adhere to
the wine, in order to be the more eafily fwallowed.

This remedy is not a purgative for horfes, it is
called the panacea, and is well worthy of the
name, by the frequent occafions, on which I have
witnefled its efficacy, when adminiftered to the
human fpecies. It operates on horfes by perfpi-
ratioHj purifies the blood, cools the bowels : dif-
fipates noxious waters and obfl:ruCtions ; opens the
paflages,. and increafes, to a wonderful deg ee,
the natural heat of the animal; it alfo cures the
farcy, the mange, and the cough v it prevents
cattle from being broken winded, nor is it lefs
falutary for men, than for iiorfcs : on trial, you
will find it "well deferves to be confidered as a
cATHOLicoN, or, up.i/erfal remedy.

This medicine is too coflly to be given ta
horfes of inferior quality, but it would be greatly-
criminal to neglect even ihefe.

FOX

154 astley's equestrian education.

FOR A HORSE GREATLY FATIGUED.

Bleed your horfe in the neck, half a pint ; the
next day give hinji a clyfter, with an ounce and a
half of polychreft ; and the day following give
him half a pound of olive-oil in a quart of milk,
keeping him bridled two hours before and two
hours after ; in four days, (the day he took the
oil included) give him the following

POTION.

Take, of eledluary catholicon, one ounce; two
drachms of treacle i of liquid conferve of red rofes,
one ounce -, of cafTia, one ounce ; of liquorice juice>
half an ounce -, of fenna in powder, half an ounce;
two drachms offcammony, prepared with fulphur ;
of annifeedand cummin, each a drachm: mix the
whole with a pint of white wine, and give it to
the horfe, who is to be kept bridled two hours
before, and four after the remedy has been ap-
plied •, if the animal has not been much purged,
continue the clyflers. Give him wet bran, good
hay, and half a pound of honey, diffolved in
hot water, after which mix it with the water he
drinks night and morning, for his common beve-
vage, — This done, allow him fome reft, in order
to fee the effeds of the medicine; if you perceive
no great amendment, you muft refort to the golden
fulphur of antimony, and to clyfters once more;

keeping

ASTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. 155

keeping the horfe warm by an extra rug, in order
to promote perfpiration, giving him as much reft as
poffible; but, on no account, keep him in a fmall
ftable, air being neceflfary in this complaint.

VETERINARY POWDERS FOR ACUTE
FEVERS.

Take of antimony, finely powdered, and of
fliavings oi liartllioni, half a pound, incorpo-
rate ihem well together; put them in a crucible,
and place it in the centre of a ftrong fire (melting
heat) until the whole is red hot — take it from the
fire and let it cooi-— after which, break the cru-
cible, and powder the medicine very fine. The
dofe for horfes, in acute fevers, is twenty-five
grains every fix hours, given in half a pint of
water-gruel i ten dofes are fufficient within fixty
hours, and if the fymptoms (hould not abate, in-
creafe the dofe to thirty grains every four hours, to
the extent of ten dofes j allow an interval of one
day, and if the pulfe be moderate, continue the
powders, night and morning, twenty-fiv?e grains,
until the horfe is well. — Give him, for his com-
mon beverage, water, f\r eetened with honey, er
treacle ; fhould the horfe purge very much, take
ten grains from each dofe of the powders. If the
fever is 'violent, bleed thrice, one pint, every fix

hours.

156 astley's equestrian education!

hours. — If it continues fo for five days, give your-
felf no more trouble about him ; in this time, his
liver will be confumed, and he will be only fit for
the dunghilL

VETERINARY POWDERS, EXCEEDINGLY
SERVICEABLE IN THE FARCY, STRAN-
GLES, VIES, MANGE, AND ALL IMPU-
RITIES,

Take ^thiop's mineral, made without fire, half
a pound ; of crude antimony, one pound, and mix
them into a fine powder. Give the horfe two
drachms, night and morning, in half a pint of
water-gruel, fweetened with honey, until the cure
is completed. While the horfe is taking the me-
dicine, linfeed mixed with the oats will be found
exceedingly ferviceable in mofl of thofe difeafes.

VETERINARY EGYPTIAN OINTMENT.

Take of verdigreafe four ounces; of double dif-
tilled vinegar, fix ounces ; of honey, one pound ;
put them into a pipkin, that will Hand the fire, and
jet them boil gently to a dufky colour; add, to^
wards the latter end, roche-alum, and fal ammo-
niac,

ASTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. I57

niac, in fine powder, of each half an ounce, and
make them into an ointment according to art.

VETERINARY TAR OINTMENT.

Take ten ounces of tar, and four ounces of yel-
low wax, cut fmall -, put them into a glazed pip-
kin, that will ftand the fire, and let them incorpo-
rate over a gentle heat.

SWELLED LEGS, CRACKED HEELS, OR
WHAT IS COMMONLY CALLED, THE
GREASE.

Thefe diforders may be attributed to violent and
frequent exercife, improper management in groom-
ing,* feeding, &c.

* Nothing is more injurious than wafhing horfes feet and legs,
particularly in cold weather, and leaving them ivet.-^Wcxt
grooms to let their hands dry without wiping them, after being
waihed, they would foon be convinced of the abfolute neceffity
of rubbing their horfes legs dry at all times; the more fo, if
the lead appearance of inflammation, cracks, &c. fliould be per-
ceptible.

I have to remark on thi$ fubje6t, that, in the courfe of forty
years praflice, I have known more difeafcs in the legs proceed
from an unpardonable negleft of this nature, than from t!ie bad
habit of body of the animal.

With

158 ASTLEV'S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION'.

With regard to the mode oi cure, I am of opi-
nion, that all external remedies, poultices, oint-
ments, vvafhings, &c. are inefFeiflual ; and that no-
thini^ will lb fpeedily relieve this diflemper and
prevent its recurrence, as alteratives, and a proper
regard to diet during their being adminiftered,
keeping the wound clean, Sec. Poultices, though
they may give the horfe temporary eafe, increafe
the diforder, by drawing down what humours are
in the body to the parts afFeded.

The moil effedl:ual remedy, that I know of, for
this diforder^ is as follows : put your horfe to feed
on the bed hay poilible, about fourteen pounds per
day, and as much good wheaten flraw as he can
moderately eat: give him half a peck of bran,
three times a day, moiflened with water- — add two
tea fpoonfulsof fulphur, each time, to the quantity.
During this regimen of diet, take three drachms of
aloes, two ditto of rhubarb ; a quarter of ditto of
ginger, all in fine'powder; diffolve the whole in a
pint of hot table-beer, or ale ; give this mixture,
when cool, every morning, with the afliftance of
a horn, or bottle, keeping the horfe half an hour
without eating before and after the dofe. — Repeat
the fame until he purges moderately ; fuppofc,
four^ or fix days; then omit the draught until
the purging is diminifhcd, for one or two days;
(at the fame time not neglccfting the fulphur and
malh, as defcribed) after which, repeat the

draught

ASTLEY's equestrian education. f£9

draught fix or eight days more, or until he again
purges. — You will then omit the draught for three
or four days, as before, and proceed in this man-
ner until an alteration for the better be^ifcovered :
then, in fuch cafe, give the draught only every
third, fifth, or feventh, until he is completely cured :
fhould the heels be very bad, and fores deep, apply
the Egyptian ointment one day, and the tar oint-
ment the other : {See index^ at word Egyptian and tar
ointments^ i^c.) bathing the fore with a little arque-
bufade water ; a little tow and a roller of canvafs
will affift in keeping the dreliing proper.

During the cure, gentle exercife, attentive
grooming, and hand-rubbing the fwelled ]egSj will
greatly aflift in promoting his recovery. You may,
on the horfe's convalefcence, give" a f^^ oats, with
carrots fliced among them ; the water, in order the
more to haften the cure, may be made moderately
fweet with honey, or treacle, namely, half a pound
diflblved in a quart of boiling water; after which
pour it into a pail of cold water, and give it every
night and morning, byway of diet-drink. — I have
known fome horfes to be entirely free from this
difeafe, flri(ftly following the above remedy, in the
courfe of twelve days-— others in a month : if the
horfe is turned into a large flable, or ftall, well lit-
tered, it may induce him to lie down, confequently,
will expedite the cure, as will alfo a little grafs, if
in the fummer months.

I have

l6o ASTLEY*S ECLUESTRIAN EDUCATION-

I have here to notice that aloes will have a
better eifedt when adminiflered in fmall quantities,
than in the ufual way : giving it, thus, it will
{Irengthen while it cleanfes the inteflines, it will
purge the brain, and refift the corruption of hu-
mours ; this is the reafon why it is fo much ufed in
pills, namely, the befl fuccotrine : for my part, I
know no better purgative, nor one fo friendly to
the nature of horfes.

The following Diologue^ between the late Sir Richard
Jebh and Myfelf will illuftrate this Fa5l.

Sir RicftARD Jeeb. Pray Mr. Aftley, what do
ypu conceive to be the beft purge for a horfe, and
what has been your pradice.

Mr. AsTLEY. On account of the horizontal po-
rtion of the horfe's body, Sir Richard, I have been
always careful to moderate fuch purgatives, as I con-
ceived would produce little or no inflammation in
the inteftines j and having myfelf, for a feries
of years, taken eight grains, occafionaly, of Ruff s
pills, (a preparation of aloes, myrrh, andfaffron)
much to my f^tisfacflion, I turned my thoughts
that way, and tried various experiments to af-
certain their true quantity and effecft, and I found
that aloes for horfes was invaluable, if given

under

astley's equestrian education. i6i

under four drachms and repeatedly until the de-
fircd efFedl was produced, and this inftead of
eight drachms or upwards, which quantity, ad-
miniftered within four days, has been found for
fome horfes to be too powerful. To corred the
aloes, and as a fubftitute for the myrrh and faffron,
I have made ufc of rhubarb, with a fmall quan-
tity of ginger, which 1 found completely an-
fwered my purpofe ; for, from being convinced
of the efficacy of the aloes upon myfelf, and the
good flate of health I enjoy, notwithflanding the
moft violent exercife, which my profelHon na-
turally caufed, I was fatisfied that I was fufficiently
authorized to try the fame on my horfe.

Sir Richard. You are perfedlly right: it did
not llrike me fo forcibly, as it has done you,
with regard to the horizontal pofition of the
horfe : pray, in what difeafes do you generally
give the aloes ?

Mr. AsTLEY. Whenever my horfes have been
taken from grafs, and more particularly from the
ftraw-yard, I have been in the habit of giving the
aloes in fmall dofes of three drachms, every other
day, for eight days, or a fortnight, according
to the age and conflitution : I have likewife
given the fame for all eruptions of the blood,
difeafes of the eyes, &c. and, more particularly
for botts and worms, to horfes that have been

M hard-

i62 astley's equestrian education.

hard-worked and kept upon bad hay, and for
the difeafe commonly called the greafe, I know of
nothing better. — As I kept myfelf in health and
good appetite by taking Ruff's pills, when I found
myfelf heavy and loaded, fo I kept my horfes
in health, by giving the aloes in fmall dofes,
once or twice a month, or whenever 1 found
occafion.

Sir Richard. I believe you are right; but
what fluids did you give while you were admini-
fieri ng the aloes in fmall dofes ?

Mr. AsTLEY. I am a great admirer of honey,
having taken it 'in gruel for a number of years,
and fo convinced am I of its excellence, that I
fhall continue it.—-], therefore, Sir Richard, when
I adminifter the aloes to my horfes, give them half a
pound of honey, diffolved in a quart of hot water,
which is then thrown into a pail of water for their
ordinary drink ; but when honey could not be
obtained, I have fubftituted treacle, and I have
found the highefl benefits from both, when travel-
ing long journeys, fuch as to Paris, Dublin, &c.
particularly in cold weather. I would now be
happy if you would give me your opinion on the
propriety or impropriety of my condui5l.

Sir Richard. Indeed, Mr. Aftley, your
obfervaiions on this point are-, in every way, fo

congenial

astley's equestrian education. 163

congenial with my own ideas, as to render my
opinion unneceffary, being convinced that you
have adled both judicioufly and cautioufly. — Great
fkill and dexterity are required in the management
of aloes to caufe it to operate, as an alterative;
but if I muft give advice to the veterinary furgeon,
it is, never to lofe fight of moderation. — Will you
name the difeafes for which 3 ou have given aloes
with fuccefs ?

Mr, AsTLEY. I adminifter it in all fcorbutic
cafes ; in the blood-running itch ; in the mange
in the farcy; for old fores, ulcers, and the like
cracked heels; ftrangles; in the mad ftaggers
and, lafl:ly,.Jn the glanders, with the addition of
-Sithiop*s mir^eral, {vide glanders). Indeed, Sir
Richard, I am partial to aloes, viz. the mofl tranf-
parent poflible, from its being the leaft adlive in
quality, and I know of no chronical difeafe, to
which horfes are liable, in which aloes, given in
fmall dofes, can be injurious.

Sir Richard. I approve much of your method ;
long pradice and experience are fufficient au-
thority.

M 2 The

i54 astley's equestrian education.

The following are three Receipts^ perhaps the moft
valuable that ever appeared in any Publicacion of
this Nature :

FIRST, A VETERINARY GENERAL RESTO-
RATIVE POWDER FOR HORSES,

THAT HAVE BEEN RIDDEN HARD, ARE SUB.
JECT TO A COtj^GH, &c.

Take of linfeed in fine powder, eight ounces; of
carra way-feed, cummin-feed, annifeed, fenugreek,
carthamus, and coltsfoot, in ditto, three ounces
each; of liquorice root, in ditto, eight ounces;
of flowers of benjamin, one ounce; flower of
fulphur one ounce ; mix the whole well together.
Give the horfe two ounces of this powder, in a
quarter of a peck of good malt, made into a mafh ;
and this, exclufive of his ufual quantity of corn,
twice a day, for a fortnight, or three weeks toge-
ther. This is, perhaps, one of thebefl: refl:oratives
for horfes, after a violent day's hunting, that the
ingenuity of man can devife — it removes all ob-
ftrudlions of the bowels, increafes refpiration, and
adds vigour and fl:rength to the whole frame, cures
chronic difeafes, arifing from over- heated blood,
fuch as colds, coughs, inward decays, and, in
fhort, prevents all fuch difeafes.

SECOND,

astley's equestrian education, 165

SECOND, A VETERINARY OPODELDOC,

FOR

Strained Shoulders^ JVrenches in the Hminches^ every
Kind of Bruifey Swellings Contufion, and the like ;
whether from Falls ^ Blows ^ or fimilar Accidents ; for
refrepiing amd fortifying the Legs of a Horfe^ when
fatigued by long Journeys^ or when Horfes are fubjc6l
to Rheumatic and Paralytic Complaints ; and I am
here free to confefs^ that^ in the extenjive Courfe of
my Pra5licc^ I have never found a more efficacious^
nor a more general Medicine for the above- men-
tioned Accidents^ Difeafes^ ^c. not only as proper
to be ufed for a Horfe^ but as being of ajlonifhing
Virtue when aptly ndminiftered to the human Species
of all AgeSy and both Sexes, where Nature affords no
Nourifhment to the Part affliEled,

When horfes have been drained in the fhoulder,
and negleded, from the duration of fuch complalnr,
and through extreme pain the part becomes wi-
thered, almofl void of feeling, and, in a great
meafure, motionlefs ; fo that it may, with much
propriety, be faid to be a dead member, attached
to a living body ; and unlefs a powerful alkali
be adminiflered, for the purpofe of extinguifhing
this unnatural heat, the part affeCled will be for ever

incapable

i66 astley's equestrian education.

incapable of refuming its primitive and original
fandions — this happens to horfes that have received
a hurt in the foot, which prevents them from fetting
it to the ground for a month or two. If the hurt be
before, it is the fhoulder, if behind, it is the haunch,
which is thus withered and confumed, and this, on
account of its having been too long deprived of
nutriment, and debarred from its dueexercife, fo
iniinitely conducive to natural warmth.

People may conceive that I err againft the firft
principles, by attempting to reftore animation to a
part fo dreadfully afFedled — but in fadl, it is other-
wife, and it vvill be found that the afFedled mem-
ber dill retains fufflc lent heat, when aided by fome
powerful alkali, to recover that which was loft,
and to reflore it to its former energy and vigour;
and whoever infpe(5ls this method with a fcientific
eye will immediately difcover that it refts on the
broad bafis of philofophy.

RECIPE FOR MAKING THE VETERINARY
OPODELDOC OINTMENT.

Take of dried roots of marfhmallows, comfrey,
gentian, long birth wort, angelica, of each one
ounce and a half; of ladies' mantle, moufe-ear,
adder's tongue, fage, lavender, ground-ivy, a hand-
ful i of juniper- berries, cummin, caftor, camphire

and

astley's equestrian education. 167

and garden muftard feed, of each one ounce,
reduced into powder ; put the whole into a glafs
veflel and pour thereon one quart of fpirits of
wine i cover it with the top of an alembeck, that
has no aperture to it : this veifel is admirably cal-
culated to make the ingredients blend properly
together. To prove your fpirits of wine, put a
fmall quantity of gun-powder into a fpoon, hlled
with the faid fpirits, fet fire to the liquor, which,
if genuine, will caufe an explofion of the powder
inflantaneouily to take place.

In order to make up the medicine, if you have
no glafs- veflel, make ufe of a thin retort with a
long neck, the two-thirds of which mufl: be empty
when all the ingredients are in ; in the mouth of
the retort, place another fmall one wich tlie bottom
upwards— this is called a meeting veifel, that thus
the ingredients may mix together in the mofl
perfect manner ; cover the joints of the retort with
thick paper, which rub over with the white of an
egg; confine the whole with a thread, and let the
materials undergo the procefs of fire, as follows:
place your retort in the exad centre of a boiler,
fufpended, and fo fixed as not to move backwards
nor forwards ; put fome flraw between the
bottom of the retort and rhe boiler, for the pur-,
pofe of keeping them about two fingers breadth
afunder ; this part of the procefs is to laft ten
hours, during eight of which the water is to^ be fo

warm.

i68 astlky's equestrian education.

warm, as {ccircdy to allow you to keep your finger
in it i and during ihe two remaining hours the heat
mufl: be increafed, but not fo as to caufe it to boil ;
by this method the ingredients, contained in the
retort, will diffolve, blend together, and com-
pletely unite i the fpirits of wine will attrad and
aflfume the tindlure of the various iimples, in
which their fanative qualities are principally con-
tained.

The fpirits of wine having thus attracted the
tindure of the roots, of the powders, and of the
vulnerary herbs, let the whole cool, flrain it well
through a linen cloth, put back the fpirits into the
retort, as before, add thereto a pound of mottled
cadiie foap, cut into thin dices, and put the retort
again into the boiler, till the foap fhall be fo
incorporated with the fpirits of wine, that the
whole may form an ointment : you muft then
take your retort out of the boiler, and let its con-
tents cool: it is in this foap that the alkali, which
I have mentioned, is contained j it is this alkali
that is to confume and deftroy, in fadl, a real fire,
which is devouring the (houlder, kc.

If you have minutely attended to the mode I
have prefcribed for making this falutary ointment,
you will find it neither too thick nor too thin ;
and the better to afcertain whether you have per-
fedly fucceeded in the procefs, rub a little of it

on

ASTLEY*S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. 169

on your hand; if it leave behind it a greenish
hue, though the natural colour of the ointment be
BROWN, then, and only then, you may be fure you
have afted agreeably to my inflrudlions.

To apply this valuable and intrinfically excellent
medicine with effedl:, the injured part muft firft be
well chafed by rubbing it properly with flannel *,
after which the ointment is to be put on and rub-
bed into the fkin ; repeat the application feven or
eight times, not omitting, at each time, to rub in
the ointment with good fpirits of wine, which is to
be applied gradually and rubbed in by regular de-
grees, that the ointment may penetrate thoroughly
—a gill of fpirits of wine to be confumed at each
application ; if it fhould raife a lather while the
ointment is rubbing in, you are not to difcontinue
till you have entirely exhaufled the quantity of
fpirits above-mentioned.

The opodeldoc is to be ufed coldj and it is of a
nature fo extremely penetrative that, in one ap-
plication, the whole of the ointment, compofed
agreeably to my method, might be exhaufled ; but
infinite care is to be taken to employ it with be-
coming moderation, each time, that it may allifl
the natural heat in vivifying the affeifled member,
and in refloring it to its wonted tone and native
vigour.

The

170 ASTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

The opodeldoc, as has been already ftated, has
been found of almoft general utility, when ad-
miniflered to the human fpecies.

I have particularly experienced its excellent
effects on a horfe of mine, to which, during a very
long excurlion, I allowed no very extraordinary
repofe; it is true, he was led by one of my people,
hut it is equally fo that, in a fhort time, by the
aid of this ointment alone, he recovered his ac-
cyfiomed flrength and vivacity^

Should you find it neceffary to apply the
opodeldoc to very flefhy parts ; for inftance, to
the fhoulder, kc. before the part is dry, and before
the application can have produced the wi(hed-for
effecf^, you are to repeat it : indeed, it would not
be amifs to anoint it one day, and the next, to be
careful in rubbing the ointment in well with the
fpirits of wine, as I have already direded; and fo
on in uninterrupted fuccellion for fixteen or eigh-
teen days.

There are thoufands of people ready to vouch
for the efficacy of this medicine : feveral coach and
{dddle horfes, (whofe fhoulders were entirely de-
cayed and dried up, in confequence of having
been negleded, after having received an injury of
the kind before fpecified,) who were as lame, as
can polfiblj be conceived, v/ere radically cured by

is

ASTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. 171

it, proved ufeful to their owners, and never after
experienced the fmallefl inconvenience from the
former complaint ^ — but you are to take particular
care that, for a month, or more, the horfe be not
worked at all; and after that fpace of time, that
he be only walked about for a quarter of an hour,
the firft day ; then, by degrees, to take more ex-
ercife, in order that the injured part may be more
efFedlually reftored.

People, who incautioufly work their cattle too
foon, not only renew the complaint, but render
all further attempts to elFed a cure impoffible.

The ointment will not injure a hair on the
decayed fhoulder, &c. — it is of infinite efficacy in
fprained legs, in ftrengthening the limbs of horfes,
to thofe that are apt to ftumble ; I have witneffed
fuch aflonifhing cures by the application of the
opodeldoc-ointment, that I do not hefitate to
recommend it moft llrenuoufly to thofe, who are
fond of horfes — and even for the phyfical fyftem
of man, I advife it, having, in various inftances,
found the greateft benefit from its effeds, as well
as from the following Veterinary Arquebufade.

VETE-

72 ASTLEY S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION.

VETERINARY ARQUEBUSADE

For horfes that have received wounds, whether
from mufkets, fwords, or fharper inftruments, of
whatever kind, or that are flaked in leaping, torn
in any diredlion ; brokien in the knees, &c. ; alfo for
fwellings, bruifes, and contufions of the legs, or
body ; cuts in any direction, depth, width, or
extent, even when the members are divided, par-
ticularly during a campaign, or accidents when
exercifing — nothing will be found more efFecflual,
in fuch cafes, than the arquebufade, as follows :

^'he Author* s Manner of Making his Veterinary'
Arquehufade,

Take leaves of the greater and lefler comfrey,
cut fmall, of each two handfuls ; birthwort,
foapwort, and galangal, of each three drachms ;
zedoary, cut fmall, half an ounce : pound the
whole, but not too fine; crabs eyes, four ounces,
alfo powdered fine \ put the whole into a new pot,
10 which, add four pints of the cleareft and bed
white wine ; cover the pot with the utmofl care,
and let it infufe two days in a fand-heat \ after
which, place it on a moderate fire for one day ;
then boil it for half an hour — ftrain it off, accord-
ing

ASTLEY's equestrian EDUCATiOJi. IJj

ing to art, and, when cool, draw off the clear
part and cork it up in a bottle for ufe. This ex-
cellent medicine cures wounds in general.

If the horfe be inclined to fever, or his pulfe
beat quick, adminifter a clyfter {fee index, at word
clyfier) every four or fix hours, till it operates;
but be careful not to give him any arquebufade to
drink, for, being compofed of warm limples, it
would add very confiderably to the heat ; but
again, it occurs not unfrequently that a horfe,
though very feverely wounded, has no fever; in
fuch cafe, the arquebufade may be given, a gill
every day, with the affiftance of a horn or bottle.

Among the natives of Germany, Switzerland,
and France, a much inferior medicine is in great
and general repute; the fuperior arquebufade,
made and recommended by the Author, is afto-
niftiingly efficacious in all cafes above-mentioned;
and when fymptoms of fever appear, he earneflly
recommends bran-mafhes, and water-gruel, fweet-
ened with honey, having found the higheft
benefit from them.

Equffinan

174 ASTLEYS EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION-

EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION,

1 HE fcience of horfemanfliip, as it relates to
war-manoeuvres, is of infinite utility in the field
of honour : this is a fadl every General Officer
will allow. It is an exercife highly conducive to
health, and has fuch a variety of advantages
attached to it, that princes have deigned to make
it their ftudy in all ages, and almoft in every
clime. Different countries have their peculiar
fyftems, but that fquadron, though inferior in
number, which has adopted the befl, has the
faireft profpedl in the field: often it has happened,
and many can teftify the fame, that a battle has
been won by the fuperior difcipline of the cavalry
or loft where it has failed.

To difcover the capacity of the mai^ege horfe,
naturally a friend to man, and to employ that
capacity in the way the moft advantageous, is the
chief end the Author has in view; but to arrive
at perfedlion in any art or fcience at once is
contrary to the nature of things; happy, how-
ever, will he feel himfelf, if he can contribute to

the

astley's equestrian education. 175

the completion of a fyftem of fucli national utility,
fo noble and manly in its nature, and fo pecu-
liarly beneficial in its efFeds.

The intention of adding the following fketcbes
(of various airs*) is to convey a farther idea of
what the horfe may be inftrudled to perform in the
manege ; proving the powers and fagacity of that
animal, and the ability of the Equeflrian Pro-
feflfor, &c.

* Definition of the word. Air.— -The rider teaches
his horfe a variety of anions, either for plcafure or for felf-de-
fence, &c. Thefe are the pefade^ the croupade^ the balotade, the
cabriole, the courbettey the terre^a-terre^ the pirouette, and the
pwfe J fome low and fome more lofty flights ; all thefe actions,
are called airs— derived, from the aQ of rifing off the ground
into the air, when horfes perform any of the above-mentioned
actions. In the execution of this part of Equeftrian Edocaiion.
promptitude, aud quicknefs of thought are reqiiifites worthy the
attention of kings, princes, and nobles ; but above all, of
foldiers in action : of this ftrong aflertion I have wimefled the
moft incontrovertible proofs, as well with refp^ft to the old as
to the NEW fchool, amongft the former I beg leave to mention
the following perfonagcs :— Prince Ferdinand — the Duke of
Brunfv/ick— Lord Granby — Lord Frederick CavendiHi — Lord
Cornwallis — Sir Frederick Evylin — Sir George Howard — Gene-
ral Conway — Colonel Beckwith— Colonel Harvey — Colonel
Frazer — Colonel Gun — General Ainflie — General Sir William
Erflcine — and my ever to be lamented and worthy friend, the
Hero of Aboukir, General Sir Ralph Abercromby — General
Luckner— General Fritag, &c. (The names of the illuftrious
characters of the modern fchool, and thofe omitted in the old,
ihall appear in the fecond volume.)

JPESADE.

176 astley's eqjuestrian education.

PESADE.

To prepare the horfe for this acl:Ion, his fhoulders rauft
be fuppled both ways ; he muft be thrown on his haunches,
and acquire a lofty head (as for fuigle combat) ; all this
nauft be done in the circle.

The pefade is the movement performed when a horfe fifes
his fore-feet, and immediately bends them up towards his
body, without moving thofe behind : the profeflbr has to
throw all the weight of the horfe on his haunches, in order
that it may be raifed more or Icfs in perfeft cadence.

The pefade is the firft lefTon : indeed, I confider it as the
ground* work of the following airs ; but great precaution is
necefiary to render the horfe thoroughly obedient to the
hand, the appuiy and the heel. Light leffons, in the be-
ginning ; moderation and rewards in the circle ; while exer-
cifing round the single pillar; againft the wall; and
between the two pillars, will effect wonders.

CROUPADE.

to fiuJie Jictae /76

^A:e/cA ^ A^ <^ye^(Xd^

to fiace /i^t^^ i77

oJ/ce/cA o^ tA^ Orozyiao^

ASTLEYS EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. I77

CROUPADE.

The hor& leaps into the air with all his feet off the
ground at one and the fame tinne, and without (Iretching
out thofe behind : by an attention to this action, much
good raight refult to the cavalry : and here I will relate a
manoeuvre, to which I often had recourfc in 1761, and at
other periods of the feven years war. I in{lru6ted my horfe
to flrike an obje6t, or objects, at the will of the rider,
within a given diftance, before, behind, or togetlier ; and
neceflity furnilhed rae with the idea.

In patroling, a foldier fometimes wants a guide, and
gentle means often prove ineffectual to induce a peafant to
quit his bed, at the dead of the night, for the accommoda-
tion of others — to difmount for the purpofe of procuring
admittance into a houfe, at fuch a time, barred and bolted
within, and perhaps in an enemy's country, would be dan-
gerous. I knew my duty, and, ere this, my horfe knew
his. On approaching the door, I caufed him to ilrike it
with his fore-feet ; and if this did not anfwer my purpofe,'
(for it would fometimes fail,) — 1 faced him about, when
with his croup he would break the door in pieces : this he
would accomplifh in a few moments, to the furprife and
terror of the inhabitants; on the other hand, when upon
the defenfive, no perfon could approach me without dan-
ger; and when on the offcnGve, and animated at my plea-
fure, to the highefl pitch, he would ftrike in every direction,
and clear his way !

N BALOTADE.

178 astley's equestrian education.

BALOTADE.

This adion, which requires much attention and (kill in
the profeffor, may be confidered as a key to the cabriole*
The horfe being now forefhortened, well on his haunches,
and every way obedient, is inftru8.ed to rife forward fome-
what higher than in the croupade ; and, at the moment he
has drawn up his fore-feet, (as in the a6l of leaping,) a
ftroke from the (hambriercy or a touch of the fpur- flick, at
Jiis croup, caufes him to ftrike with his hindermoft feet,
fufficiently only to (hew his flioes. This a6tion may be
ilyled a h^M- cabriole. The general practice is to teach the
haktade in hand, or between the two pillars, and when
advanced in this leffon, a light weight is placed on his back:
but to perform balotades well; the horfe muft be accuftomed
to the rider, and the rider to the horfe.* The appul muft
be furc, and the aids be delicate.

CABRIOLE

♦ To prov« the utility of wtU-dveired hoi^res to the army, it may not be improper
to mention the following ciicumllance:— In the year 176a* when the 15th Light
JDragoons were in Weftphalia, a great number of recruits, and young horfes, were
attached to the regiment, both were wanted for fpecial fcrvice ; and an experiment
was tried to mownt the young men on the old horfes, and the old men on the
young horfes ; feveral field days took place in coafequence, and anfwercd tolerably
wtll ; but the regiment being called upon to attack an out-poft of French
infantry, who giving their fire, the young horfes inftanlly turned tail, nor could
they be bronght back to the charge. The young men, though mounted on the
old horfes, being ignorant of the fword-cxercife, and of the proper ufe of the
bridle-band, could not force the enemy's line •, of courfp the old men regaiaed
rhtir horfe-s This may do very well for number* on a hill, but for aftual icrvice
H wlil not anfwcr.

^ovfes

to foLce /lAac

to /ace /Locre /70

<y/ce/r/? o/ lAe La/^rto/e

astley's equestrian education. 179

CABRIOLE.

From [the bahtade is drawn the cabriole^ confidered as
one of the mod difficult a6t:ions to be performed by the
horfe, he being, for a time, fufpended, as it were, in the
air : great (kill is fequifite in the profefibr, as well as in
the choice of horfes, adapted to fuch performance, which
muil be lively, a6live, and of a proportionate ftrength : by
means of the cabriole^ perfons engaged in fingle combat,
often obtain a great fuperiority over their opponents, not
acquainted with this excellent manoeuvre, and with the
ncceflary aids*

Horfes every way complete for war exercifesare in valae beyond calculation, t
have known fome of the old and experienced Generals purchafe fuch well-dreflfed
horfes at any price. Furthermore, I have witneflfed in the fcvcn years war> while
a fcarcity of accomplifhed military heifcs prevailed, frequent application to be
made by Prince Ferdinard, Lord Granby, my old and intimate acquaintance
General Luckncr, &c. to the Quarter and Riding-Mafters of the Britifti Army,
then ia Weftphalia, in order to purchafe their horfes ; o le ?in j articular, the bell
war horfe I ever mounted, was the property of Quarter-Mailer^ Henry Richards
of the 1 5th Light Dragoons, and, I believe the ©Idett foldier in the army.

My worthy friend, Richards, had purchafed the horfe of a farmer at Saliibury»
for twenty-five guineas, prior to the regiment going to Gern\ ny, and he fold him
to General Luckner, for four hundred ducats, two years after. I was alfo prefcnt
when Lord Granby offered the General fix hundred ducats for him. The veteran
chief, however, was not to be caught by gold* knowing that, in a great meafure,
his life depended on the excellence of his horfe. I further recollect, that Lord
Brome, now Marqjois Cornwallis, (then Aid-de-Cairp to the Marquis of
Granby,) had as good horfes as any in the Britiih Army ; but, 1 fuppofe, lik<
General Luckncr, he knew their value.

N 2 THE

l8o A&TLEY*S ECtUESTRIAN EDUGATIOM*

THE COURBE rXE.

A horfe that can pefade and croupade well may be placed
between the two pillars ; there flill more thrown on
his haunches, and raifed before, rather higher than in the
two foregoing airs ; which is effe£ted thus — the profeflbr
aids him forward with two fmall whips, while an affiftant,
with the cbamkriere dt his croup, encourages him to bring his
hindermoft legs well under, and to fupport his body in the
a£tion of, what the Author terms, forefhortening. Many
horfemen conceive, that there is not much difficulty in
inftru6i^ing the horfe in this airj but pra£iice will con-
vince them to the contrary. The horfe, capable of per-
forming a good courbettCy may be confidered as far ad-
vanced in terre a terrey demi-voltesy and pirouette', but it
is neceflary that he {hould become very expert, and his
afiiion eafy in the cmrheitey between the pillars, before
he is moanted.

THE

lofare fnye /80

.^Aetc/i o^ tAe Cour/'f/te

to race^ haae. /Sf

yAe/cA of //le <S/^er/e -c^'(l7e rre

-^.7A:

astley's equestrian education. iSi

THE TERRE-A-TERRE.

Previous to any attempt being made to bring a horfe to
ierre-O'terre^ he Ihould be perfcded in the pefadey crou-
pade^ and courhetUs^ and not unacquainted with the voltes.
He fhouid be well fuppled in the circle, but with judgement ;
for his croup, at no time, mufl gain upon the centre or given
ground, you with to obtain. — In every air the horfe fhould
be well together, particularly in ihofe in which his Ihoul-
ders (hould have a pofition more forward than his croup, in
the proportion of about two-fevenths,

ProfeiTors have wifely obferved that, in Urre a-terre^
the horfe cannot, in reafon, be too much forqfliortened — this
aQ:ion may be performed in a circle, right or left — in a fquare,
tight or left — and on as many ground lines as the profeflbr.
may fancy, either with head or croup to fuch lines. Ii. is
a kind of cumprefTed gallop, in an oblique dire<9:ion, with
the fhoulders more advanced than the croup, as before ex-
preflfed. A good profeffor, mounted on a welUdreffed horfe,
can, however, terre-a-terre with one-fifth of the flioulder
forward; but it muft be a pei fan completely mafter of the
Eqjeftrian Art, who can perform on equal lines, lofing
fight of the pblique dire<^ion altogether. — Laftly, the pofi-
tion of the rider's body (hould be firm, his foot rather light
in the ftirrup, on the fide approaching, the other giving the
aid\ which is done without moving (he body. The horfe
mull be well raifed, lofty in head, and, to give him freedom,
his haunqhcs mufi: be ki'.pt in a jull pofition ; the appul^ ra-
ther iTrong on the oppofire fi-le, namely, if you Urre a terrs
to the right j fuch appul ar.d aid are to tlic Ic^fr, and vice
verja.

THE

iSz astley's equestrian education.

THE PIROUETTE.

Is the nS-ion of a horfe galloping entirely round, either
right or left, on a centre, with one leg, as it were, on the
ground. — To complete the horfe in this difficult air, much
(kill and patience are required ; but he fliould not, by any
means, be exercifed in it, till he is perfectly fuppled in all
directions, namely, m the terre-a-terre in a circle of twenty
yards diameter ; in a large fqiiare, and by the fide of a wall,
keeping the head, fhoulder, and croup, to the centre in
every oblique pofition ; he (hould alfo be well inftrufted in
the demi'Volieii or what very properly may be termed half-
pirouettes ; for example, fuppofe the pirouetti is intended to
the right, the horfe in fuch cafes, raifes his fore-feet and
the left hindcrmofl, fupporting himfelf on the right, while
turning, and vice verfa', if to the left, the aids are the
outfide rein to the turn, raifed fomewhat higher than the
infide, firft throwing him well on his haunches — firm pofi-
tion and command of body, appui rather ftrong, and the
body of the rider and horfe towards the turn j at the fame
time, if the horfe's head be not fufficiently high and obe-
dient to the bridle-hand, the profeffor will experience much
interruption in the execution of this aftion, which may be
confidered as the subli me of cadence.

It is a known fafifc, that the horfeman in battle, who has
the beft drefTed horfe in this a6tion, has a wonderful advan-
tage over his opponent — nothing can bring fuch a dragbon
to the groi:nd, but a ball.

THE

/<7 "ract /MCff ffj^

^Mr/rA ry^ tA^ 9y/'r(9t/^/^

rv

to Ace pa^e /S3

IX

oy/c£/i:A o/ /yi' oV?^'^

ASTLEY*S EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION. 183

THE PIAFE.

Is a graceful air of parade in the a6lion of the trot ; the
firfl: leffon is given between the two pillars ; the profeffor
in the rear, with the whip and chambriers^ encouraging him
to move to the right, to the left, and fomctimes forward^
until he is forefliortened and well on his haunches ; for the-
more he is fo, the more graceful will be his adion : this is
effe6^ed by (hort leflbns, long intervals, and frequent caref-
fes— care muft be had to make him draw from the pillar-
rope,* and by no means from the bridle, till far advanced,
preferving, however, throughout, a lofty head. Much
judgement is, now, required to aid the horfe, particularly
when mounted ; whether advancing, retreating, or return-
ing to cither fide ; for it is at fuch time, that the horfeman
is obliged to call in the more tender aids of the heel and fpur,
together with the neceflary affiance of the bridle-hand,
and its delicate appui : this, it may be remarked, was the ac-
tion made ufe of in the famous Equeflrian minuet, forming
part of the amufements at Weftminfter- bridge, firft invetited
and attempted by the Author, who caufed his horfe to mark
his name on the ground of the Amphiihearre.

The few rules, diredions, and obfervations, herein given,
I prefent moft refpe6ifully to my country, as the refuh of my
experience, during a practice of forty years in the fervlce of
the public ; to whom I beg to exprefs my moft grateful ac-

» The pillar-rope (or collar) fliouid be very ftiong, the nofe-part lined, and
two inches broad, to prevent its chafing ; the pillars fhould be firm in the grouod
feven inches in diameter, and round ; fix feet four inchts clear ia height, and
about five and a half fett io diltance : llufTed and lined on the infide.

nowledgmente

J 84 astley's equestrian education.

knovvledgments for the long and liberal patronage, with
which my efforts, as well as thofe of my fon, have been Co
diflinguifliediy honoured.

Convinced that it is not in mortals *' to command
SUCCESS," I have always endeavoured '^ to deserve ir ;'*
and I triift, my patrons have been well affured of every ex-
ertion, on my part, to render myfelf worthy of that libera-
lity, which has ever been the pride of my heart to obtain.

Having faid thus much in behalf of the encouragement
bellowed on my individual public labours, (which it is my
ambition to fay, have been honoured with the order of
MERIT, during my refidence in France,) and having refigned,
for tiie term of feven years, the Royal Amphitheatre
OF Arts, Weftminfter-bridge, with that in Dublin, in
favour of my fon, (referving to myfelf the Amphithe-
atre in Paris,) I now leave him to the proteQ:ion of that
generous, difcerning public, of whom I am.

With becoming gratitude and refpe6l.

The moft obedient, and

The mod devoted humble fcrvant.

Hercuies-lluU^ Lambeth,

London, ill; of May,

1801.

Profeflbr of the Art ©f Riding.

Philip Astleyy

EXPLA-

( i85 )

EXPLANATION

OF THE

General Apparatus in the adjoining Page,

A — Caveffon and cord.

B— Snaffle* reins, intended to adjuft the given point, or exad

pofiiion of the horfe's head.
C. D— The breaft-piate, belonging to the buckle- furcingle,

bearing- rein, crupper, &c. and intended to keep the

whole fecure.
I — Profeflbr in the a£t of working the horfe ; circle to the

left.
2— His affiflant, in each hand a piftol, waiting for the fig-

nal from the ProfcfTor.
3— The pofition of the horfe's head,
4— The caveffon cord ; two fmall rings thereon.
5. — A fmall hand-line, (pafled through two fmall rings to

keep it fleady,) occafionally ufed to refrefli the horfe**

mouth, and to render it fenfible to the motion of the

hand, when the profeflbr judges proper to eafe him and

reward his labour,
6—The feather buckle-furcingle, communicating with the

breaft- plate, crupper, bridle-reins, bearing-reins, &c.
7 — The chambriere.
S*— A bafket, containing (the fupnofec) rewards, viz. corn,

carrots, apples, pears, &c.

> 9— A

l86 EXPLANATION, &C»

9-^A drum, for the familiarizing a hdrfe to it, when
wanted.

10— A fla^, ufed for the like purpofe.

1 1 — A trumpet to found on fimilar occafions.

12 — Fire-works of different explofions, intended to be let off
at the will and pleafure of the profeffor, either by the
afTiffanceof a rope-match, lighted, or by the leader of
fuch fire- works being conduQ:ed by the pan of a piffol,
primed only— for the like purpofe— the piftol being
previouily made faff to the pillar, &c.— 'according to
art,

13 — Sketch of a bag to be filled with any given weight of
fand, the more effectually to habituate the horfe to
bear his rider ; and which the author buckles round
the horfe for fuch purpofe.

14— Sketch of a fpur-ftick, fix feet long, ufed on various
occafions ; alfo to accuftom the horfe to the ufc of the
fpur, previoufly to his being mounted.

15— The afllftant's dog, which he occafionally caufes to
bark, at the pleafure of the profeffor.

16— A fmall hand- whip, hung on the pillar, for the ufe of
the profeffor.

N. B. The various pages in the body of the work, and which refer to this
Ikctch, will fully explain, and direa the young praftitioner to the knowledge and
utilily of the whole ©f fuch apparatus, 8ec.

INDEX

INDEX.

A.

ABERCROMBT, General ~. .175

Accidents^ how prevented , 23, 24, 25, 77, gs
Advice^ ferious^ to ladies and gentlemen . 77 to 88
Aids ' . 21, 22, 74, 75, 76

y^/r, definition of . , .175

Amufementy equeftrian^ conducive to health • xv
Antimony y golden^ fulphur of • . 152, 153

Annifeed • . • ^39

Apparatus^ equeftrian^ engraving and Jketch of

10, II, 185
Appetite lojiy after hard ridings conjtdered

112, 118, 123
Appui' telegraphic communication^ the Authors

idea of it . . .22

Apple Sy excellent for horfes • 9, 12, 31

Attack and defence • • 14, 34, 40

Arquebufade^ veterinary^ the Authors prepa-
ration and ufe of it . -172
Arms^ finally glittering of ; .16
Art and cufining^ when neceffary , -73
Arts andfciencfSy how acquired . . ^^

Al&es

l88 INDEX.

Mes . . iS^y J^ij 1^2, 163

Jge of a horfe^ how to know it . . 90, pt

B.

Back, fore, from the preffure of the f addle . 112

Backing and breaking colts • .1

Bag, fand, for what purpofe • • 19

Eallotade, a5lion and Jketch of . .178

Body, command of . • ^4> 93

— pliahility of . . • ^4

Bounty, royal - • .29

j&n^/^, changing of, conftdered dangerous . 9^
Bridle-hand, direawn of 40, 77> ^5> ^^^ ^^^
i^rzW/^, riding, driving, Q^c defcription

of ... 56, 93> 94, loi

Brufes ; . . 165, 170

C.

Cadence, definition of • ; . 3> 4
Cabriole, aclion and Jketch of . -179
Careffes, quick, when neceffary . 12, 18, 68
Caveffon, cord of — line of . .10
Cambridge, Univcrfity riding fchool . • 29
Cantlets, condemned, . • '7^
Carrots, excellent for horfes . 9, 12, 118
Chamhriere, when neceffary . 5^y 55
Changing dragoon horfes, the practice of con-
demned . • . ' .184
Clarendon, Lord Chancellor, his opinion * 29

INDEX. I '89

Cholic and gripes^ Symptoms of, and cure 137, 138

College^ veterinary , • .6

Contujion . . . 165, 169

Courbette, aElion and jketch of . . iSo

Conftitutiony how improved ; how impaired^ 54, 35

Corhwallis, Marquis . • . 175, 179

Commijfions in the army . . . viii

Croiipade, a6lion and jketch of , » 177

Cw/^A . . . .164

Cracked heels, ISc, . i57> 15S, 159, 163

Dajhing forward, danger . . 100

Dialogue between the author and a young ca- ^
valry officer . . .32

■ twith a traveller on preferving horfes on

a journey . . . iT4to T19

with the late Sir Richard Jebh\ vete-

rinary medicines, &?r. . . 160, 16^

"Diet, regimen of, in lofs of appetite-, fevers,

i^C' . ' , . . 118, 123, 128

Dtfeafes to which horfes are liable, cmifidered

120, 144
Difobedience in the horfe prevented 46, 49, 50

Difpoftion, furious . • 69, 70

Dragoons, Light, i^th . .178

Drefs, ladies, conjidered ; necejfty of grooms

familiarizing horfes to fuck . 87, 88

Drum, found of , , 12,16

Dublin, locked-jaw^ CKperimcnt ineffectual 14-9

Ear^

igO INDEX.

E.

Ear^ mufical

4> 12, 13

Education^ eqiiejlrian

27, to 76

Elegance . i

xvi

Equitatiortj manege d'

^74

Errors — in horfemanjhip

• ^7

ExercifeSy equeftrian j Pope's Homer

8

Exercife^ /word

• i4> 173

Execution^ equejlnian

2

Eyes^ difeafes of

i35> 136

Eye^ horfes^ knowhdge derived therefrom

90

Ethiofs mineral

. 135

Euphorhium ^ . .

• 145

F.

Fajhions of the day dijaivantageous to a horfeman 3.6
Feeding properly^ diforiers prevented by . 108, 113
Feet^ preferving of on a journey . 113, 119

Fever ^ acute^ clyfte^ . • . . 151

Flags ^waving of . • . . 16, 23

F/qy^, General . • .28

i^jrcd*, //^ impropriety . . 4 S, 49, 58

Fr^Kr^ . . 2, 29, 147, 173, 184

G.

G'^%, confidered . . : 9^? ^^ ^<^2

i?^//, between the fore legs \ mire . 144

INDEX. 191

» i75>

'79

•

140

130,

H5

17

xvi

,

175

»57.

i6z

137.

138

winter.

108,

"3

•

124

»33»

166

147

149

Generals^ modern and oldfchool - 28,

Giddine/Sy remedy

Glanders, defcription and remedy

Good or evil, choice of

Gracefulnefs •

Granby, Lord

Grea/Cy defcription of v preventive and cure

Gripes y fymptoms^^f, and cure .

Grooming^ properly, in fummer and

after a daf s journey
Gruel, water
Ground ivy

Gunpowder •

Germany ' .

H.

Habits, bad . ^ . . 37, 40

Hay and corn, fubftitutes for, in iofs of ap-
petite . , 117; 118
Head, lofty, necejfttyof, in Jingle combat, 14, 182
Hearing, in the horfe . . .9
Heel, obedience to it . . .67
Heathfield, Lord . . .28
Honey and treacle, excellent for horfes 124, 126, 1 62
Honor, field of danger, ^c. , 34> 7^
Horfe, defcription and utility , ix, to xlv

young . . . 13, 40

■■ ■ draught, fatal accidents prevented 103 to 108

Horfe,

igz

INDEX.

Hor/ey refractory . . . 13

■ dominion over . . .101

— — neceffary precautions in purchajing . %g

■ ' indifcriminately mountingy pra£lice con-
demned . . '77
' teaching to draw % the Author s fyftem
of . . \ 103, 104

Hyde-Park . . , xvi

I. and J.

Jaw, locked, experiments thereon ineffe£lualy 149, 150
Imperfections of horfes . •37

Infmttry, French . . .178

Introduction ; the Authors, to the Emperor of
Germany, by Sir Robert Murray Keith, at
Fienna, in i^jSz . • 29, 30, 31

Judgement and jujlice, the Author s idea of . 21

K.

Keith, Sir Robert Murray, Manege at

Vienna
Killedy a groom, by a horfe

29, 30, 31
6

L.

Life, fober and regular,
London, carmen of

S4
13

Luchier, General
Lard, hog's
Legs, broken

. 175
. 119

148

Mange,

INDEX. 193

M.

Mange y i^c, general cure . - • -145

Manege horfe^ capacity . . . • ^74

Manege^ defcription of , . ... 3

Merits order 0/, given to the Author and So?i,

by Lewis XV 1. at Ferfailles . .1^4

.Meadows y Sir Sidney . . . . .28

Mindy Equefirian Exercife ufeful to . 'S3

Minuet I, defcription of that^ danced at the
AmpIiitheaJre of Arts, Weftminfter-
Bridge . . 74, 75» 7^

Mouth of the horfcy refrejiiing of .29

Mercury - , . .146

Mange ^ in dogs . . • ^47

Milk .... ibid

N.

Noife^ unu/ual, familiarizing horfes thereto . ^8
Nourijhmenty part affected . . .165

Natural paces of the horfe . 98 to 102

Neceffary precautions in purchdfiHg a

horfe . . . 89 to 9?.

Neceffary information to officers . 31 to 76

O.

Ointment y green^ for cracked heels ^ <£c, . 144

veterinary^ Egyptian^ preparation,

iSc, . . . .15^

— — veterinary tar^ preparation^ c5?r. , 157

o Opodeldoc

194

INDEX*

Opodeldoc^ veterinary, the Author's preparation

and method of ujing it . 165, 170

Oxford, univerjity of necejftty of riding-fchools • 29

Ohje^ly danger confidered

, Jecurity ditto
Oil, linfeed
-«-, turpentine

23, 24
. ibid.

P.

Faces ^ natural and artificial, confidered §8 to 102
Pefade, Jketch of . . .176

Pears, or apples, hy way of reward, ^c, , 9, 1 2
Pembroke, Earl of . . .28

Patrcling, Author's mode of obtaining a guide , 177
Perfedions . . . 37

Piafe, flietck of • . .183

Pinch the horfe . * .69

Pirouette, fketch of . . .182

Pillar or pillars; ditto rope and collar

6^, 68, 6g, I'jS, 178, 180, 183
Pijlol, explofion of , . . .16

Powders^ veterinary, preparation of for acute
fevers, Jir angles, vies, mange, impuri^
ties, [^c. . . . I55i 156

Powders, the Author's general reftorative . 164

PratVitiojiers, young . . . 4^5 54

Punifhment . . . 17, 60

Prodigaliiy . . .61

^Quarrelling

IMDEX. ' I_95

Q.

panelling with horfeSy reprobated \ 2i, 22

S^ueftions and an/werSy relating to horfes^ by

fignal^ founds &?r. . , 13 ,

^uick-eyey E^c. , . . 9> i^

R.

Recruits^ cavalry . . • 5

Refdutioriy when necejfary . . 4'-> 42

Rewards . . 9, '2, 13, 3a

Riding'fchools , Scientific , . 5, 6
/?^/«, right fidej for what piirpofe in leading

horfes . . . 47

Recommendation . 62

Refiftance . . . 64

S.

Saddle^ Jide^ graceful feat ^ . ^ 77 to 88

' defcription of , . .ibid,

■ ■ make and fhape of

80
144

9

142

74
118

5^^^/^ ^^//, f «r^ for . .

Shakes in flioulder, remedy
Science^ Equeftrian^ public amufements^ i^c.
Shoeing^ confidered
Sounds, neceffary to direct the horfe in obe-
dience . . . 9» 13
Sovereign, his patronage, . . ^9
Strains • . .142

o 2 Strangles^

196 TN-DEX.

Strangles y defc rip Lion of and remedy . 128, 129

Spur . . 46, 49, 59, 61, 70, 71

Seaty Ladies^ . - . . 83, 84

Seat . . . Z^, Z9^ ^o

Signals . . . .13

Stirrups y its length . . . 85, 86

Smelling . . . . 9

c9y/?i?;« 0/ Equejlrian EdiicatioUy peculiar to the

the Author

• >74

Stupidity

.

. 60

Surcingle

.

. 10, 14

Superiority^

.

. 14

Submijfton

• 57

Succefs

.

• 63

Science

• 33

Stirrups

.

' ■ 83

Saddle y length of

82, 83

Spermaceti Imifnent

• '45

T.

Tally firm

.

• 53

Temperance^ necejfary

I

7erre-a'terre, atlion and Jketch of

: . 181

Tournaments - '

10

Tongue

9

1 raining to leap, befi method

•

95, 97

Travelling, the Author s mode

"/

112, 113

Treatment, cruel

•

6, 48, 49, 64

Ti Qt

• 99

Tender

INDEX. icy

Tender ufage of the Horfe . . .12

Twaabk . . -5^

Tobacco-water . . • M7

U. and V.

Ungovernable Horfes • • i> 2, 5
Untutored Equejitrians • . . xvi
Ferdigreafe • . . >5^
Foice^ found of . . . 9* 1 2
F/fiy, general, of the Author's apparatus^ en-
gravings iSc, . . 185, 186
Fies^ powders for . • * ^55
Finegar • • . '33i ^5^

W.

/^/j/^ of a Horfe confidered '> ; ^3

fFaterings properly ^ difeafes prevented

thereby - . loS

fFind-gallSy cure for . . . .142

IVrencheSy iSc . . ibid,

PFaggcn, perfons killed by * • 2.3

ToM«j, horfes . 41, 124, 1 44, 178

Toimg^ pra5litioners , .• • 4^

Z.

Zcdoary . '• , • jyz

END OF THE FIRST VOLUME,

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