Chap. IV. ^tfcovering fome Errors j &c. i $ 



Thirdly, The Exercife of a Horfe ought to be propor- 

 tion'd to his Strength, and likewife to his Feeding ; for a 

 Horfe that is of a Weak, delicate Make, cannot bear much 

 Exercife, neither muft that be violent, but gentle. In like 

 Manner, a Horfe who has but fhort Feeding, cannot bear 

 fo much, nor fuch hard Exercife, as if he was kept high. 



Fourthly, A Horfe fhould be gently ufed when he is 

 full, becaufe at that Time, bcfides the Prejudice done him 

 by the Weight of his Stomach, the Blood receiving from 

 thence frefh Supplies, will be apt to caufe a Plenitude and 

 Fulnefs of the Veflels, which may either occafion a too 

 great Rarefaftion, or a Stagnation, efpecially in the Lungs, 

 by reafon of their near Communication with the Heart, and 

 their frequent Diftention with Air ; and Horfes that are 

 of a large and heavy Make, ought to be Rid more gently 

 at all Times, than thofe that are light and nimble. 



Fifthly^ No Habit fhould be broke fuddenly, but by 

 Degrees ; for Inftance, if a Horfe has been ufed to travel, 

 he ought to be walk'd out, and rid more or lefs for fome 

 time thereafter ; becaufe during the Time of Exercife, the 

 Blood muft have acquired a more than ordinary Aptitude 

 to Motion ; and therefore it will be ready to ftagnate in 

 fome remote Parts, where the Veflels are fmall. The fame 

 Rule is to be obferved with refped to Horfes newly taken 

 up from Grafs, becaufe they have been ufed both to Exer- 

 cife and Air, while at their Liberty in the Fields. Neither 

 muft a Horfe that has been ufed to feed plentifully, be fud- 

 denly reduced to a low Diet, becaufe he will be apt to 

 grow faint, and oftentimes fick in his Spirits, which may oc- 

 cafion very great Diforders, by reafon the Quantity of the 

 Blood is of a fudden render'd too fmall, in proportion to the 

 Capacity of the Veflels. And, on the contrary, a Horfe 

 that is low, muft be fed but gently, and brought to good 

 Keeping by Degrees. 



Sixthly, A due Regard ought to be had to Drefling, be- 

 caufe rubbing and combing is a Sort of Exercife, efpecially 

 to a Horfe of Mettle, it promotes the Motion of the Blood 

 in the extreme Parts, and greatly helps the cuticular Dif- 

 ; charges] and therefore a Horfe that has been ufed to good 

 Drefling, iliould never go without it, left the Pores ot the 

 Skin becomes fuddenly obftruded, which muft unavoid- 

 ably caufe fome Diforders. But if a Horfe has never been 

 ufed to any Regularity, as to his Feeding, ^V. which is the 

 Cafe of fome Drudges, the bsft Way is to continue in the 

 i iam? 



