OF HORSEMANSHIP. i6c, 



•pofite fex. In other refpec^s there is no reafon to 

 think them inferior to horfes, and, cateris paribus, al- 

 ways fuperior, as being perfedt in nature, to Geldings. 



The horfes known by the name of Dextrarii in 

 Latin, Dejiriere in Italian, and Dcjirier in the French 

 languages, were fo called from the word Dextra, figni- 

 fying in the Latin, the Right-Hand ; they all having 

 been carefully handled, drelled, or maneged, as we call 

 it, from the Italian word maneggiare, which, in its lite- 

 ral fenfe, means no more than fmiply to handle. Others 

 fay, that it is to be taken in ^ Jigurative {Qn{e from the 

 word Dextra, importing the Dexterity and readinefs with 

 which they work under their riders ; and others, that 

 they are fo denominated from being led by grooms, 

 when they attended their mailers into the field or lifts, 

 by the Right-hand. The firfl: explanation feems to be the 

 mod clear and juft. 



Thefe Dextrarii were alfo called magni Eqiii, or great 

 liorfcs, becaufe they were required to be of the largeft 

 fize, and were always intended to ferve in war, or in 

 the exercifes of the T'ournament, which were nearly al- 

 lied to it. As the riders were cloathed in complete ar- 

 mour, they were of a prodigious weight, and confe- 

 quently demanded very flrong and able-bodied, as well 

 as tall horfes, to carry them through their enterprizes : 

 great and Jized. horfes were therefore required, in oppo- 

 fition to Palfreys, Courfers, Nags, and other common 

 horfes : and forafmuch as thefe great horfes were all 

 required to be drejfed or taught, that they might per- 



Vo L. I. Z form 



