I^fe 
 
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 At' 
 
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i 
 
 JOHNA.SEAVERNS 
 
PHIJLIPASTXEY, 
 
 Eom JanT 8*^1742 
 
 
 
 ^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 : -:!r s .T r "-^"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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