For Scouring a Race Horse
Take 20 Raisins of the Sun stoned, 10. Figgs slit in the midst, boyle them till they be thick in a Pottle of Fair Water, mix it with Powder of Annis-Seeds, Lycoras, and Sugar-candy, till it come to a stiff Paste, make them into round Balls, roul them in Butter, and give him three or four of them the next morning after his Course, and ride him an hour after, and then set him up Warm. Or this may be preferred, being both a Purge and a Restorative, a Cleanser and a Comforter, thus prepared.
Take three Ounces of Annis-Seeds, six Drams of Cummin-Seeds, one Dram and half of Carthamus, one Ounce and two Drams of Fennugreek-Seed, one Ounce and half of Brimstone; Beat all these to a fine Powder, and searse them; then take a Pint and two Ounces of Sallet Oyl, a pint and half of Honey, and a Pottle of White-wine; then with a sufficient Quantity of fine white Meal, knead and work all well into a stiff Paste; keep it in a clean Cloath, for use. When occasion requires, dissolve a Ball of it in a Pail of Water, and after Exercise give it him to drink in the Dark, that he may not see the Colour, and refuse it: If he does refuse, let Fasting force him to be of another mind.
To conclude, those Instructions, which are enumerated by Mr. Markham, I will give you in short before you run, and then away as fast as you can.
Course not your Horse hard four or five dayes before your Match, lest you make his Limbs sore, and abate his Speed.
Muzzle him not (except a foul Feeder) above two or three Nights before the Race, and the Night before his bloody Courses.
Give him sharp, as well as gentle, Courses on the Race he is to run.
Shoe him a day before you run him.
Let him be empty on the Match Day.
Saddle him in the Stable, and fix to him the Girths and Pannel with Shoo-makers Wax.
Lead him with all Gentleness to his Course, and let him smell other Horses Dung to provoke him to stale, &c.
And Lastly, Being come to the starting place rub him well, uncloath him, then take his Back, and the Word given, with all Gentleness and Quietness possible, start and away; And God speed you well.
I shall not insist on any large Encomiums of this Recreation, only that it is a most Princely and serious Pleasure; nor shall I amuse you with subtle and nice Distinctions, and things no way material; But will inform you with what is meerly necessary for the right Understanding and Use of this Noble Art. I shall begin then with Hawks, their Names and Flights.