74 The Compleat Horfeman : or^ 



ss it may be obje&ed, that the Humour which falls 

 down, is diflipated by Tranfpiration through the 

 Pores, which are open'd by this rubbing of the 

 Legs : To this I anfwer, That the Humour indeed 

 does in fome meafure rarifie, but that it cannot be 

 all difcufled that way, having too grofs a Body for 

 it ; fo that the remaining part of the Humour infi- 

 iiuates it felf as a Vapour amongft the Nerves, 

 which is afterwards by the Cold condenfed into a 

 Water, and this Water into a kind of vifcous Hu- 

 mour, which cannot be difpelled by rubbing • be- 

 caufe being done in a time whan all the Humours 

 are in Agitation, it draweth them down, and in- 

 ftead of giving eafe, or being anyways beneficial to 

 the Horfe, is extremely prejudicial and hurtful. 

 Not that I difapprove the rubbing Horfes Legs ? 

 upon the contrary I very much approve of it, only 

 1 would not have it done at their firft arrival, but 

 when they are perfectly cooled. 



If before you arrive at the Inn you meet with 

 any Ford, ride your Horfe through it two or three 

 times, but not fo deep as the Water may come up 

 to his Belly. Now this Water will not only cleanfe 

 his Legs of Mud, but thecoldnefs thereof will bind 

 up the Humours, and prevent their defcent. 



Being arrived at your Inn, aflbon as he is partly 

 dried, and ceafes to beat in his Flanks, let him be 

 unbridled, and his Bitt wa died,. clean fed, and wiped, 

 and let him eat his Hay at pleafure. 



If your Horfe hath been very warm, and that you 

 bad not the conveniency of letting him drink upon 

 the Road, he will when unbridled eat but very 

 little •, you mult therefore give him his Oats wafhed 

 in Ale or Beer, or fome of them only, if you in- 

 tend to feed him again after he hath drunk. 



Many are of Opinion that People fpoil their 

 Horfes by giving them Oats before their Water \ be- 

 caufe, fay they, the Water makes the Oats pafs too 



foon, 



