The School of Recreation | Page 7

on his Withers or
Main.
On the next day as before; and after that, put him on a strong Musrole,
or sharp Cavezan, and Martingale; which is the best guide to a Horse
for setting his head in due place, forming the Rein, and appearing
Graceful and Comely; it Corrects the yerking out his Head, or Nose,
and prevents his running away with his Rider. Observe therefore to
place it right, that it be not buckled straight, but loose, and so low, that
it rest on the tender Grizsle of his Nose, to make him the more sensible
of his fault, and Correction; and so as you see you win his Head, bring
him straighter by degrees; let him but gently feel it, till his Head be
brought to its true perfection.
Having observed this well, lead him forth into some soft or new
Plowed Land, trot him about in your hand a good while: Then offer to
Mount; if he refuse to suffer you, trot him again; then putting your foot
into the Styrrop, mount half way; if he takes it impatient, correct him,
and about again; if not, cherish him, and place your self a moment in
the Saddle, dismount, cherish, and feed him with Grass, or Bread: All
things being well, remount, even in the Saddle, keeping your Rod from
his Eye; then let one lead him by the Chaff-Halter, and ever and a-non
make him stand, and cherish him, till he will of his own accord go
forward; then come home, alight gently, dress and feed him well. This
Course in few dayes will bring him to Trot, by following some other
Horse-man, stop him now and then gently, and forward; not forgetting
seasonable Cherishings and Corrections, by Voice, Bridle, Rod, Spurs.
Being thus brought to some certainty of Rein, and Trotting forth-right,
then to the treading forth of the large Rings. And here first examine
your Horses Nature, before you choose your Ground, for, if his Nature
be dull and sloathful, yet strong, then New-Plow'd-Field is best; if
Active, Quick and Fiery, then Sandy-ground is to be preferred; in the

most proper of which mark out a large Ring, of a Hundred paces
circumference. Walk about it on the right seven or eight times, then by
a little straightning your right Rein, and laying your left leg calf to his
side, make a half Circle within the Ring upon your right down to its
Center; then by straightning a little your left Rein, and laying your right
Leg Calf to his side, make a half Circle to your left hand, from the
Center to the outmost Verge, and these you see contrary turned make a
Roman S. Now to your first large Compass, walk him about on your
left hand, as oft as before on the right, and change to your right within
your Ring; then Trot him first on the right-hand, then on the left, as
long as you judge fit, and as often Mornings and Evenings, as the
Nature of your Horse shall require. In the same manner you may make
him to Gallop the same Rings, though you must not enter it all at once,
but by degrees, first a Quarter, then a Half-quarter; and the Lightness
and Cheerfulness of your Body, not the Spur, must induce him to it.
The next Lesson is to Stop Fair, Comely, and without Danger. First see
that the Ground be hard and firm, then having cherisht your Horse,
bring him to a swift Trot, about Fifty Paces, and then straightly &
suddenly draw in your Bridle hand; then ease a little your hand to make
him give backward, and in so doing, give him liberty and cherish him;
then drawing in your Bridle hand, make him retire, and go back; if he
strike, ease your hand: if he refuse, let some by-stander put him back,
that he may learn your intention and thus he may learn these two
Lessons at once.
To Advance before, when he stoppeth, is thus taught: When you stop
your Horse, without easing your hand, lay close and hard to his sides
both Calves of your Legs, and shaking your Rod cry, Up, Up; which he
will understand by frequent Repetition, and Practice: This is a
Gracefull, and Comely Motion, makes a Horse Agile, and Nimble, and
ready to turn; and therefore be careful in it: That he take up his Legs
Even together, and bending to his Body; not too high, for fear of his
coming over; not sprawling, or pawing; or for his own pleasure; in
these faults correct him with Spur and Rod.
To Yerk out behind is the next Lesson, thus learnt, Presently upon your

making him stop give him a good brisk jerk near his Flank, which will