MAny , yea euen of those which are nearest to my studies , will not onely wonder , but in part condemne me for this worke when they shall but reade the title , without any excuse imagining , that I hauing in my last booke done my vttermost endeuour , and spent my best skil in this subiect , that surely this reiteration , can be nothing but either meere Tautologie , or some surfaite of ostentation . But how much I hate the one & condemne the other , both my selfe and those with whom I hold any comercement , can iustly and truly witnesse : ●or beleeue it , I neuer stood affected either to Absalons pillars or to the musique of mine owne words . Truth it is , that at the publishing of my last booke , I intended to haue inserted this in the same forme and methode as now it is , but the ouer hastie greedinesse of a selfe-hurting Stationer , and the confusion of many Printers ( one poore booke being mangled into diuers hands ) did both so confound , and defeate all my better purposes , that I was compeld to giue way to their wils , and to suffer it to come forth with that mishapen and distract face which now it beareth ; euery page being loaded with the Printers faults , and no way to saue their reputation , but by most wilful neglecting to fixe to any Errata . Well , for euery part of that booke ( excepting that of cures ) the Printers faults excussed , I dare boldly defend it against either enuy , censure , or any preiudication ; and though it be not the perfection or most perfect ( for those fruites grow not on my tree , ) yet it is such , and so sound as shall giue a ful satisfaction to euery indifferent and vpright iudgement . As for that part , ( the booke of cures I meane ) which my selfe must needes confesse , giueth not that ample satisfaction which I intended , I haue in amends thereof compiled this volume with such earnest care , practise and diligence , that I dare engage euen my best fortunes , that simplicity and ignorance it selfe ( I meane such as neuer intermedled with this art in the whole circuit of their liues ) shall not onely with good iudgement performe as great and as inuincible cures as the best Smith-farriers of this kingdome , but also shall giue such substantiall reasons and vncontrollable accounts for whatsoeuer they do , ( which yet neuer Smith that I knew was able to do ) that not the best artist shall be able with vndoubted truth to refute them . And with this protestation and full assurance to euery well practizing reader of this worke , I will proceede to my purpose , according to euery branch and head in the title .

It is most necessary then for euery man who shall endeuour himselfe to haue knowledge in this art , first to learne whereof and how a horses body is compounded , that according to the naturall composition thereof , and the vnnaturall workings in those compositions , he may compound his medicines , and make them agreeable with the effects of his infirmities ; and not as our farriers do , many times vse one medicine for all inward diseases , and one salue for all sores .

Touching therefore the true composition of a horses body , you shall vnderstand that it is as the body of a man is , compounded of thirteene seuerall things , that is to say , seuen naturall and sixe not naturall ; the seuen naturall are , Elements , Temperaments , Humours , Members , Powers or Vertues , Actions or Operations , and Spirits ; all which be called naturall , because the naturall profession and excellency of euery sensible body , doth wholly depend vpon them , and hath his mouing no longer then they haue power of working . The sixe which are not naturall , be the Aire , Meate and Drinke , Motion and Rest , Sleepe and Watch , Emptinesse and Fulnes , and the Affects or motions of the minde ; and these are called not naturall , because as ( being rightly and in due order applyed ) they preserue , sustaine , and fortifie the body ; so being misgouerned , or vsed in any excesse or disorder , they are the onely corrupt destroyers of the whole body : and of these thirteene simples which compound the fabricke or whole frame of the body , I intend to speake seuerally .

THese Temperaments or Temperatures , which are the second things in a horses composition , do spring from the commixture of the foure elements , and are nine in number , whereof eight are vnequall , and the ninth is equall . Of the eight vnequall , foure are ●imple , and those be hot , cold , moist , and dry , which Physitions call the first qualities ; and of these , the first two be actiue , and the other two passiue : the other foure are compound , and they be hot & moist , hot & dry , cold and moist , cold and dry . Now the equall temperament is diuided into two , an vniuersall and a speciall . The equall Temperament vniuersall , is when the foure elements are in an equall proportion , genenerally diuided through the whole body , nature enioyning no more from the one then from the other . The equall Temperament special , is when the elements are proportioned according as euery kind doth most properly require , be it either plant or beast : in plants , when euery plant hath that commixture of elements which are proper to its kinde , the hot plant being hot , the cold being cold , and so forth : whereas contrariwise , to haue a hot plant cold , or a cold hot , to haue rue cold , or sorrell hot , were a false and vnequal commixture of elements . So likewise of beasts , that horse , that dogge , that swine is said to haue his due Temperament , when hee is of such temperature as is most proper vnto his kinde ; which onely is best discerned by his actions or motions . As thus , the horse is known to be hot and m●●st by his l●g●tnesse , swiftnesse , valiantnesse and long life ; and also to be of a temperate nature , in that he is easily tamed , docible , obedient and familiar with the man . And so long as either horse or any other thing , continueth in the mediocrity and excellencie of his proper Temperament , so long we may truly iudge him of a good temper & disposition ; but if there be any ouerflow of qualities , or excesse in his humors , as either in heate , coldnesse , moistnesse or drinesse , then we say , he is either a hot cholericke horse , a cold dull horse , a dry mischieuous horse , or a moyst cowardly horse , according to the ouerflow of that quality which raigneth in him .

Againe , euery horse is sayd to haue his due Temperament according to his age , and the country wherein he is bred ▪ and sometimes according to the time of the yeare wherein he liueth . And thus a horse in his foal●-age , which is till he be sixe yeares old , is naturally hot and moist . In his middle age , which is till twelue , more hot and dry then moist ; and in his old age , which is past eighteene , more cold and dry , then either hot or moist . So likewise the horses which are bred in southerne parts , as either in Spaine , Barbary , or Greece are naturally more hot then those which are bred either in the seuenteene lands , Germany , or England ; either is there any horse which is in good state of body , that is so hot in the spring time of the yeare , as in the summer , nor so cold in the summer as in the winter . All which obseruations are with most curious diligence to be obserued of euery horse-leach , when he goeth about to cure any sicknes : for vnlesse he consider their natures & temperatures , and euery other circumstance already declared , he shall right soone be deceiued in the administration of his physicke . Therfore I earnestly aduise euery Farrier , before he giue any drench or potion , first to enquire the kinde , race , and disposition of the horse , next his age , then the country , and lastly the time of the yeare : and so according to the truth thereof , to mixe his receipts .

It is most expedient also for euery horse-leach to consider the second qualities , which are so called , because they take their beginnings from the first qualities already declared ; of which second qualities some be called palpable , or to be touched , as these , softnesse , hardnesse , smoothnesse , roughnesse , toughnesse , brickelnesse , lightnesse , heauinesse , thinnesse , thicknesse , smalnesse , grosnesse , and such other like . Some againe are not palpable , as those which appertaine to hearing seeing and smelling , as noysses , colours , odours and such like ; and by obseruing well these second qualities , he shall with much ease , know whether the horse be disposed to any sicknes or not , as shall be more largely declared hereafter in euery particular chapter .

NOw concerning Humours , which are the third composers of a horses body , and so likewise of euery other beast also ; you shall vnderstand that they are foure in number , that is to say , Bloud , Fleame , Choler and Melancholy . As touching bloud , it is in it owne nature vncorrupted , and therefore hot and moyst , and sweet in taste , as participating of the elements , Fire and Aire . Fleame is cold and moist , and either sweet or wallowish without any taste at all , as participating of the elements water and aire . Choler is hot and dry , and bitter in taste , as participating of the elements fire and earth . Melancholy is cold and dry , and in taste ●ower and heauy , as participating of the elements water and earth : so that these foure humours by their qualities , are euery way allied vnto the elements . For to speake briefly , and according to the manner of Physitions , Bloud is of the nature of aire , it being most predominant therein ; Fleame of the nature of water , Choler of the nature of fire , and Melancholy of the nature of the earth . And albeit these humours are simbolized or mixt through euery part of the body ; yet euery one of them , aboundeth more in one part then in another , and haue their places of residence absolute and peculiar to themselues , as Bloud about the heart , Fleame in the braine , Choler in the liuer , and Melancholy in the spleene . Now as these humors do more or lesse abound , or haue greater or lesser soueraignty in the body of the horse : so is the beast naturally better or worse coloured , qualified or disposed , as thus . That horse in whom bloud hath the greatest predominance , & may be called a horse sanguine , is bright bay of colour , and in disposition pleasant , nimble , and of temperate or moderate motion . That horse in whom fleame hath the greatest dominion , and may be called a flegmatike horse , is for the most part , of a milke white colour , and so consequently slow , dull and heauy . If choler beare the greatest rule in his constitution , then is his colour commonly a bright sorrell , and by that meanes of disposition hot , fiery , and of little strength . Lastly , if the earth haue gotten power aboue the other elements , so that he may be called a melancholy horse , then is his colour commonly a mouse dunne , and his disposition cowardly , faint and slothfull . But because these particularities are properly appertaining to the complexions of horses , of which we shall haue cause to speake more largely hereafter , I will not stand vpon any greater relation ; onely I giue you thus much in conclusion : to vnderstand that euery one of these aforesaid humours hath his proper vse or end , whereunto it serueth , as thus . Bloud serueth most properly to nourish the body . Fleame giueth motion to the ioynts . Choler prouoketh the auoydance of excrements , and Melancholy begetteth an appetite or longing to his meate . Now during the time that these humours do possesse their naturall qualities , so long they are wholesome , and bee called by their simple names , without glosse or addition ; but if by any mischance they be disordered or corrupted , then they are vnwholesome , and are no longer called by their simple names , but haue other epithetons annexed vnto them , as Melancholy Bloud , Salt Fleame , Choler adust or Burnt Choler , and fretting Melancholy , whereof proceedeth many pestilent and dangerous diseases , as shall be at large declared hereafter . And thus much for the state of humours .

TOuching Members , which are the fourth maine instruments in this great fabricke of a horses body , they are by Schoolemen diuided into two parts . The first is called similaria , which is like , semblable or one and the same thing . The other is called instrumentall , and are contrary to the first .

Members alike are those which being separated or dist●●buted into parts , yet euery part thereof is alike in substance to the whole , neither altering in definition , appellation or nature ; as flesh , bone , sinew , and such like : for flesh being cut or incised into many parts , yet is euery part still flesh , so reputed and so called , as well as when it was in combination altogether , and as of this so likewise may it be said of bones , sinewes , and their like .

Now for members instrumentall , they bee those which being made of parts semblable , and diuided into parts ; yet the parts are not alike , neither haue all one name with the whole , as the head , legge , foote , and such like : for euery part of the head is not called the head , nor euery part of the legge , the legge ; but haue other appellations , as the brow , the temples , the knee , the feetlocke , and so forth . Now these instrumentall members , in doing of their offices and duties are of much more perfection then the semblable members ; wherefore Schoole-men haue made amongst these instrumentall members foure soueraignes or princes aboue the rest ; that is , the Braine , the Heart , the Liuer , and the Stones ; of which the first three are the preseruers of the singular body ; and the fourth of the whole kinde : the first three giuing motion and agitation to the body , the fourth generation and 〈◊〉 to succ●eding ages .

Now from these principall members , like branches from a well growne tree , do spring other members which do them seruice ▪ as from the braine springeth ●inewes , whose office is feeling : from the heart arteries , whose office is sprightinesse and liuely hood ; from the liuer , veines , whose office is warmth and strength ; and from the stones the seede vessels , whose office is procreation and increase . Now for as much as from those doth likewise proceede a world of other members , as Tendants , Ligaments , Lungs , Spl●ene , Guts and such like ; all which , in as much as the knowledge of them doth more properly belong to the office of the Chyrurgian then to the Physitian ( though most necessary for both ) I am her● to aduertise euery studious reader , that when he shall haue occasion to meddle with any member about a horse , that he turne to the second booke in this volume , which treateth onely of surgery ; and there he shall not only find euery member and lineament in a horse , but also the true anatomies so liuely demonstrated , that there shall be nothing wanting to the perfecting of his vnderstanding . And thus much in this place of members .

POwers which by some are called vertues or principall faculties , and do gouerne and controll both the body of man or beast , and haue the fift place in this worke , are in number three , that is , the Power animall the Power vitall , and the Power naturall . The Power animall is a vertue incident to the braine , which through the sinewes coming like little conduit pipes from the braine , distributeth feeling and mouing to all the parts of the body . The Power vitall is a vertue belonging to the heart , which doth giue life and spirit to all the body by meanes of the arteries ; which proceeding from the heart , which is the chiefe fountaine of naturall heate , carries in their little channels ouer the whole body , that aire and spirituall bloud which makes it full of lightnesse and alacrity . The Power naturall is a vertue belonging to the liuer which giues nourishment vnto all the body , and to euery part thereof , by meanes of the veines , which do likewise proceede from the liuer like greater conduites , carrying the bloud from the liuer which is the fountaine of bloud , into euery part of the body . Besides the Power naturall containeth foure other vertues , that is , the vertue attractiue which draweth food meete to sustaine the body ; the vertue retentiue , by which it retaineth and keepeth the foode receiued : the vertue disgestiue whereby it concocteth and disgesteth the same . And lastly the vertue expulsiue , by which it expelleth excrements and superfluities . Thus these powers or vertues being of no lesse validity then you perceiue by this discourse . it is the part and duty of euery good Horse-leach , to haue a most carefull and vigilant respect vnto them : for if any of them faile , the horse cannot liue . Therefore whensoeuer you see that either your horse refuseth his foode , or that he doth not retaine and keepe his food● , but casteth it vp againe , or that he doth not digest his food , but keeps it corruptly in his stomacke , or that he can not void his excrements in a naturall manner , but holds it burning in his body , take them for most certaine signes of mortall sicknesse . And thus much of powers or vertues .

SPirits , which is the seuenth naturall builder of this naturall worke , are to be vnderstood to be that fine , pure , cleare , and ayrie substance which is ingendred of the finest part of the bloud , whereby the vertue of euery principall member may visite all the other parts of the body , making them to do their duties according to the rules of nature . Now of spirits , according to the opinion of some Physitians , there are but two kinds , that is , the Spirit animall and the Spirit vitall . The Spirit animall is that which giueth power of feeling and mouing to a horse , and hath his resting place in the braine , from whence through the sinewes it is dispersed into all other parts of the body ; and as it is ingendred of the vitall spirit , being more vehemently wrought and laboured , and partly of continuall breathing : euen so it is partly preserued by the Chaule of the braine , which doth howrely water and nourish it .

The Spirit vitall is contained in the heart , from whence it floweth into euery part of the body , being the chiefe cause of all naturall heate ; and it is preserued and nourished , both by breathing and bloud .

HAuing spoken of the naturall things whereof a horses body is compounded , it is needfull now that we speake something of the other sixe which be not naturall , so farre forth as they concerne the office of the Farrier and no further : for with other matters we haue not to do . The first thing then which is not naturall , yet preserueth a horses body in good state , is the aire , which being pure , sharp , cleare and piercing , giueth great life and nourishment to a horse , but being contrary , that is , grosse , thicke , and full of putrifaction , it cannot chuse but alter the good habit of his body , and breede in him many infirmities . Therefore euery Farrier shall haue great respect to the aire wherein a horse either liueth or was bred in , as if a horse that was bred in a hot aire , come to liue in a cold , and through that exchange grow sicke , the Farrier shall by warme dyet , close house , and moderate cloathing , bring his nature to a stronger acquaintance : also when a horse exceedeth in any of the foure qualities , that is , in heate , moystnesse , coldnesse , or drinesse , it is best for him to , liue in that aire which is contrary to that quality wherein hee exceedeth . Lastly , in many diseases , the change of the aire is most wholesome , as shall be shewed at large in the particular diseases .

For the meate and drinke of a horse which is the second thing not naturall in a horses composition , it is not to be doubted but whilest it is sweete , cleane , & good , as bread well made and baked , dry oates , dry beanes , dry pease , sweet hay , sweet straw , or short grasse , so long it nourisheth and preserueth the horses body ; but if it bee fully , raw , corrupt and vncleane , or if he eate tares , fitches , rye , or barley , then must hee needes bee vnsound and full of infirmities . Therefore the Farrier shall be carefull to keepe him from all such foodes as breede naughty euill bloud ; as for his water , the more pure it is , the better , and the more muddy , thicke and pleasant , so much the more vnhealthfull .

Now for his mouing and rest , that is either his trauell or standing still , which is the third thing not naturall in a horses composition , doubtlesse they be great preseruers of a horses health : for as moderate exercise dissolueth grosse humours , ingendreth appetite , and addeth strength vnto the limbes , so likewise indifferent rest , causeth disgestion , comforteth the sinewes , & maketh the heart cheareful against ensuing labour . But on the contrary part , immoderate trauell or exercise , when a horse is ridden beyond his strength , breedeth many dangerous & mortall sicknesses , as the foundring in the body , the consumption of the lungs and liuer , molten grease and such like , besides the pissing of bloud , manginesse , farrye , and such like ; all which inward diseases craue strong purges , and the outward sharp and correding medicines ▪ Immoderate rest , which is when a horse doth stand long still without any exercise . Feeding foule and grosly is as great an enemy to a horses health as the other : for it congregateth & bindeth together all sorts of ill humours , breedes corruption in the bloud , rottennesse in the flesh , & generally as many diseases as any il dyet whatsoeuer .

The sleepe or watch of a horse ( which is the fourth thing in our composition ) is so necessary a comfort to a horse , that he cannot liue without it ; it is the greatest mouer of disgestion : and so consequently giues comfort to the whole body . For whilest a horse sleepeth , the Powers animall do take their rest , which otherwise would be ouer-wearied , and neither able to discharge their duties , nor to continue their actions and operations , which is the giuing of feeling and mouing only : & whilst a horse doth sleep the powers natural haue more liberty to do their work , in concocting the meate , and comforting the bodie ; in so much that I account sleepe to be the onely quieting of the sences , ordained by nature to ingender strength . Sleepe is begotten by sweet , fatty and grosse vapours , ( & not by their contraries ) which are raised from the heart to the braine ; with the coldnesse of which braine those vapours being congealed and thickned together do stop the pipes of the sensitiue spirits , so as they can not resort to the instruments of the sences , to giue the body feeling & mouing , wherby the body at that time is depriued of those motions . And according as those vapours do more or lesse fill the pipes , so is the horses sleepe more or lesse found and vndisturbed ; but when this sleepe shall at any time grow into excesse , and you shall perceiue a horse to sleepe beyond both nature and custome , then you shall know that such sleep cometh from an euill habite of the body , and is a signe either of Lethargie , and a numbnesse of the spirits , or else that he hath some inward griefe and paine in his limbes when he standeth ; which being eased by lying , makes him couet a continuall rest and sleeping . Now for the watch of a horse , because it is the meere contrary to sleepe , there needes little to be sayd more then this : that as the excesse of the one sheweth the want of the other , so the vnnaturall working of either shewes the euill state of a horses body , and giues the Farriers warning to expect ensuing sicknesse .

Now for emptinesse and fulnesse ( which is the fift not naturall compositor ) for as much as it is onely an adding to , and a taking away , some Farriers haue held opinion , that all Physicke belonging to a horses body , consisteth in them two onely ; and truly I am of this minde , that whosoeuer can take away corruption , and adde perfection , shall without doubt , euer keepe an able and substantiall body . But to our purpose , of this fulnesse there are two sorts , the one fulnesse by excesse of humors , the other fulnesse by excesse of meate ; either of which perturbing the spirits are the grounds of sicknes . Againe , excesse of humours are of two kindes , the one an equall encrease of all maner of humours gathered together , and the other a particular excesse either of too much Melancholy , Fleame , or other waterish humours whatsoeuer , the first being termed an aboundance of humours , the latter an excesse of euill iuice or nutriment : lastly , their fulnesse in quantity , and fulnesse in quality . Fulnesse in quantity is when a horse is full of bloud or any other simple humour . Fulnesse in quality is when any of those humors is too hot or too cold , too grosse or too thin . Now for emptinesse , as all diseases of fulnesse must be cured by it onely , so all diseases of emptinesse must be healed by fulnesse , as by taking of bloud , by purge , friction , scarification , boxing , sweating , bathing , and a world of such like , as shal be very largely set forth hereafter .