172 The Compleat Horfeman: cr y 



with light Shoes or Plates, the Night before the 

 Courfe, their Horfes have taken fuch notice there- 

 of, that they would neither eat what they gave 

 them, nor lie down to take any reft all the Night 

 following : But a Horfe muft be old and long ex- 

 perienced in this Exercife to make fuch fubtil Obfer- 

 vations. However, I advife that things of neceflity 

 be done upon this Day, rather than upon the Mor- 

 ning of the Courfe, becaufe on that Morning he 

 fhould have nothing to trouhle him. 



Late at 'Night feed as you did in the Evening, 

 and give him what he likes belt, according to his 

 Stomach, only as little Bread and Beans as poflible ; 

 then putting on his Muzzle, and toffing up his Lit- 

 ter, leave him quiet till next Morning. 



The next Morning (being that of the Match 

 Day) come to him before Day, take off his Muzzle, 

 rub his Head well, and give him a pretty quantity 

 of Oats wafhed in Muskadine if he will eat them, 

 or elfe in the Whites of Eggs. If he refufe both, 

 then try him with fine drefs'd Oats, dry, and mix'd 

 with a little Wheat : After he hath eaten them, 

 if he be a flow Emptier, walk him abroad, and in 

 the places where he ufed to empty, there entice 

 Mm to it, which, as foon as he hath done, bring 

 Iiim home, put on his Muzzle, and let him reft 

 until you have warning to make ready. But if he 

 te a free Emptier, then you need not ftir him, but 

 let him lie quiet. 



When you have warning to make ready, take off 

 his Muzzle, and having wafhed his Snaffle in a little 

 Muskadine, bridle him up. But before you bridle 

 him, if you think him too empty, give him three 

 or four mouthfuls of the wafh'd Meat laft fpoken of. 

 Then bridle up and drefs him. Afterwards pitch- 

 ing your Saddle and Girths with Shoemaker s-Wax^ 

 fct it on his Back and girt it gently, fo that he may 

 only feel the Girths, but have no ftrakncft : Then 



