250 The Book of the Horse. 



GERVASE MARKHAM. 



While writing on harness-horses it will not be out of place to give a quotation from 

 Gervase Markham, a very accomplished gentleman and experienced horseman, who flourished 

 in the reign of James I., and who was, considering the limited advantages which the age 

 afforded, one of the most acute and shrewd writers on the subject. The principles he laid down 

 in that remote period are just as applicable now as then. We have better roads and streets, 

 lighter carriages, more highly-bred horses ; but his advice is still sound. 



" The use of coaches hath not beene of any long continuance in this kingdome, especially 

 in that general fashion they are now used ; for if formerly they were in the hands and for 

 the ease of particular great persons, yet now they are grown as common as hackneyes, and 

 are in the hands of as many as either esteem reputation or are numbered in the catalogue of 

 rich persons. . . . Neither is it my profession to meddle with the shapes of hunters, nor 

 will I speak of the several customs or fashions of Italy and France, because, as far as I can 

 judge, whatsoever we practice in this art of coach governing is but an imitation of the shapes 

 and chaunges of those kingdomcs. Therefore, for my own part, I mean only to handle some 

 few notes, touching the charge of coach-horses, their keeping and appareling. 



" First, then, to speak of the charge of coach-horses. Some are of opinion that your 

 Flemish horse is the best for that purpose, because he is of strong limbes, hath a full breast, 

 a good chyne, and is naturally trained up more to draught than burthen ; others doe preferre 

 before these horses Flemish mares (and I am of that opinion also), both because of their more 

 temperate and coole spirits, their quiet socialleness in company, and their bringing up, which only 

 is the wagon, by which means, travelling with more patience, they are ever of more strength 

 and endurance. Yet both these horses and mares have their faults ever coupled to their 

 virtues; as first their paces are ever short trots which contain much labour in little ground, 

 and so bring on fastness of spirit in little journey.s, whereas a coach-horse should stretch 

 forth his feet, and the smoother and longer he strides the more may he be ridden, and the 

 sooner comes to his journey's end without tyring. Ne.xt, their limbs from the knees and 

 camtrells downward are so rough and hayrie, and the horses themselves so subject to sault 

 and fretting humours in those parts that neither can the coachman keep them from the paines, 

 scratches, mallendars, sollandars, and such like diseases, nor the farrier ofttimes with his best 

 skill cure them when they are diseased. Lastly, they are for the most part of resty* and hot 

 spirits, so that although they shall be excellent and forward in the draught, yet in our English 

 nation, amongst our deepe clays and myrie trailes, they are not able to continue, but grow 

 fainte and weary of their labour ; and it is ever a rule amongst them, that after they have 

 been once tired there is no means to restore them to their metall or spirits. 



" Now to tell you mine opinion which is the best coach-horse either for streetes of cities 

 or journeying upon the high waies, I hold not any horse comparable, either for strength 

 courage, or labour, with the large-shaped English gelding, for he is as milde and sociable as 

 the Flemish mare, more able to endure travell, better shaped, and long continued in service. 

 Ne.xt to him is the Flemish mare, and the last is the Flemish horse. 



"The Pollander (Polish) is exceedingly good, but he is somewhat too little and too fierce. 

 a nature ; but for tiring, that he will seldom or never do with any indifferent order. 



" When you have determined touching the breed or race of your coach-horses, you shall 



* Our country people still t.ilk of a horse rusting — i.e., refusing — "He rusts at the lane corner." 



