48 The Compleat Horfeman : or y 



laft or hindmoft Ribs comprefling too much the in- 

 ward Parts. 



If fuch Horfes as have their Ribs ftrait be great 

 Feeders, then their Bellies will bfe gulphed up, fo 

 that it not being poflible for the Entrails to be con- 

 tained within the Ribs, they will prefs downwards, 

 and make the fhape of a Cow's Belly, which is very- 

 unbecoming. Befides that thofe Horfes that are 

 ftrait Rib'd are very difficult to Saddle,for they muft 

 have Saddles made exprefly for them *, they have no 

 Wind, and are fubjecl: to the Cough. But they have 

 generally a good Chine or Back. 



If a Horfe's not having a good Belly proceed front 

 leannefs, he may be recovered by Reft and Eafe, 

 with the afllftance of cooling and moift nourilhment, 

 efpecially if his Ribs have a good compafs •, and if 

 they have not, yet if he eat heartily his Hay and 

 Oats, and drink well, he may prove as good as any 

 for the Saddle, but I would not meddle with him 

 for a Coach. Horfes with ftrait Ribs have general- 

 ly good Backs, and altho' their Croups are not fo 

 beautiful, being for the mod part pointed ; yet to 

 fupply that they have excellent Reins. They are 

 commonly called Sow-backs. 



It is an infallible Maxim, that a Man fhould ne- 

 ver buy a Horfe which is both light-bodied and 

 fiery, becaufe fuch Horfes deftroy themfelves in an 

 inftant. Many People do ignorantly confound Fie- 

 rynefs with Vigour or High-mettle; whereas true 

 Mettle doth not confift in fretting, trampling, 

 dancing, and not fuifering any Horfe to go before 

 them, but in being very fenfible of the Spurs. Not 

 but that fiery Horfes are many times very high- 

 mettled, but their fault is in being fo, with this freU 

 ful Difpofition. 



Horfes which have any great pain in their Hind- 

 Quarters, are commonly light-bellied. Therefore 

 when you are Ihown a Horfe that is light-bellied* 



look 



