<7^ The CompleatUorfeman : cr, 



between the Points of the Fore and Hind-Bows of 

 the Saddle, and make the Stirrop-leathers pafs over 

 them. 



Let your Stirrop-leathers be ftrong, as alfo the 

 Stirrop-irons, which fhould be pretty large, that 

 you may the fooner quit them in cafe of a Fall. 



Having obferved thefe Precautions, begin your 

 Journey with fliort Marches, efpecially if your Horfe 

 have not been exercifed in a long time. Suffer him 

 to pifs as often as you find him inclin'd ; and not on- 

 ly fo, but invite him to it. But excite not your 

 Mares to pifs, becaufe their Vigour will be thereby 

 diminifhed. During your whole Journey let him 

 drink of the fir ft good Water you meet with after 

 feven in the Morning in Summer, and after nine 

 or ten in Winter. I call that good Water which is 

 neither too quick and piercing, nor too muddy and 

 ilinking. This you are to do, nnlefs you defign to 

 gallop him a long time after drinking *, for in that 

 cafe you mull forbear, although it be the cuftom in 

 England to run and gallop their Horfes after drink- 

 ing, which they call Watering-courfes^ to bring them, 

 as they fay, in Wind ; yet it is the molt pernicious 

 and hurtful Pra&ice for Horfes that a Man can ima- 

 gine, and many of their Horfes become purfy by it. 



While he is drinking, draw up his Head five or fix 

 times, moving him a little betwixt every Draught *, 

 and altho' he be warm and foveating very much, 

 yet if he be not quite out of breath, and that he 

 have four or five Miles to ride, he will be better af- 

 ter drinking a little than if he had drank none at all. 

 It is true indeed, that if the Horfe be very warm, you 

 fhould at the coming out of the Water redouble your 

 pace, or make him go at a gentle Trot, to warm 

 the Water in his Belly. 



You are thus to let him drink all the while you 

 are travelling, becaufe if he be hot or fweating 

 when you come to bait, you mull let him Hand a 



long 



