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got what you are aiming ata horse that delights in being ridden； a
splendid and showy animal； the joy of all beholders。
＇1＇ Al。 〃the animals are so scared that； the chances are； they are
thrown into disorder。〃
＇2＇ ｛gorgoumenos｝； with pride and spirit； but with a suggestion of
〃fierceness and rage；〃 as of Job's war…horse。
＇3＇ 〃Mollia crura reponit；〃 Virg。 〃Georg。〃 iii。 76； Hom。 〃Hymn。 ad
Merc。〃
How these desirable results are； in our opinion； to be produced； we
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will now endeavour to explain。 In the first place； then； you ought to have
at least two bits。 One of these should be smooth； with discs of a good size；
the other should have heavy and flat discs＇4＇ studded with sharp spikes； so
that when the horse seizes it and dislikes the roughness he will drop it；
then when the smooth is given him instead； he is delighted with its
smoothness； and whatever he has learnt before upon the rough； he will
perform with greater relish on the smooth。 He may certainly； out of
contempt for its very smoothness； perpetually try to get a purchase on it；
and that is why we attach large discs to the smooth bit； the effect of which
is to make him open his mouth； and drop the mouthpiece。 It is possible to
make the rough bit of every degree of roughness by keeping it slack or
taut。
＇4＇ See Morgan； op。 cit。 p。 144 foll。
But； whatever the type of bit may be； let it in any case be flexible。 If it
be stiff； at whatever point the horse seizes it he must take it up bodily
against his jaws； just as it does not matter at what point a man takes hold
of a bar of iron；＇5＇ he lifts it as a whole。 The other flexibly constructed
type acts like a chain （only the single point at which you hold it remains
stiff； the rest hangs loose）； and while perpetually hunting for the portion
which escapes him； he lets the mouthpiece go from his bars。＇6＇ For this
reason the rings are hung in the middle from the two axles；＇7＇ so that
while feeling for them with his tongue and teeth he may neglect to take the
bit up against his jaws。
＇5＇ Or； 〃poker；〃 as we might say； lit。 〃spit。〃
＇6＇ Schneid。 cf。 Eur。 〃Hippol。〃 1223。
＇7＇ See Morgan； note ad loc。 Berenger （i。 261） notes： 〃We have a small
chain in the upset or hollow part of our bits； called a 'Player；' with
which the horse playing with his tongue； and rolling it about； keeps
his mouth moist and fresh； and； as Xenophon hints； it may serve
likewise to fix his attention and prevent him from writhing his mouth
about； or as the French call it； 'faire ses forces。'〃
To explain what is meant by flexible and stiff as applied to a bit； we
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On Horsemanship
will describe the matter。 A flexible bit is one in which the axles have their
points of junction broad and smooth；＇8＇ so as to bend easily； and where
the several parts fitting round the axles； being large of aperture and not too
closely packed； have greater flexibility； whereas； if the several parts do not
slide to and fro with ease； and play into each other； that is what we call a
stiff bit。 Whatever the kind of bit may be； the rider must carry out
precisely the same rules in using it； as follows； if he wishes to turn out a
horse with the qualities described。 The horse's mouth is not to be pulled
back too harshly so as to make him toss his head aside； nor yet so gently
that he will not feel the pressure。 But the instant he raises his neck in
answer to the pull； give him the bit at once； and so throughout； as we
never cease repeating； at every response to your wishes； whenever and
wherever the animal performs his service well；＇9＇ reward and humour him。
Thus； when the rider perceives that the horse takes a pleasure in the high
arching and supple play of his neck； let him seize the instant not to impose
severe exertion on him； like a taskmaster； but rather to caress and coax
him； as if anxious to give him a rest。 In this way the horse will be
encouraged and fall into a rapid pace。
＇8＇ i。e。 〃the ends of the axles （at the point of junction） which work
into each other are broad and smooth； so as to play freely at the
join。〃
＇9＇ 〃Behaves compliantly。〃
That a horse takes pleasure in swift movement； may be shown
conclusively。 As soon as he has got his liberty； he sets off at a trot or
gallop； never at a walking pace； so natural and instinctive a pleasure does
this action afford him； if he is not forced to perform it to excess； since it is
true of horse and man alike that nothing is pleasant if carried to
excess。＇10＇
＇10＇ L。 Dind。 cf。 Eur。 〃Med。〃 128； ｛ta de' uperballont oudena kairon｝。
But now suppose he has attained to the grand style when riddenwe
have accustomed him of course in his first exercise to wheel and fall into a
canter simultaneously； assuming then； he has got that lesson well by heart；
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On Horsemanship
if the rider pulls him up with the bit while simultaneously giving him one
of the signals to be off； the horse； galled on the one hand by the bit； and on
the other collecting himself in obedience to the signal 〃off；〃 will throw
forward his chest and raise his legs aloft with fiery spirit； though not
indeed with suppleness； for the supple play of the limbs ceases as soon as
the horse feels annoyance。 But now； supposing when his fire is thus
enkindled＇11＇ you give him the rein； the effect is instantaneous。 Under the
pleasurable sense of freedom； thanks to the relaxation of the bit； with
stately bearing and legs pliantly moving he dashes forward in his pride； in
every respect imitating the airs and graces of a horse approaching other
horses。 Listen to the epithets with which spectators will describe the type
of horse： the noble animal！ and what willingness to work； what paces；＇12＇
what a spirit and what mettle； how proudly he bears himself＇13＇a joy at
once； and yet a terror to behold。
＇11＇ Cf。 〃Hell。〃 V。 iv。 46； 〃kindled into new life。〃
＇12＇ ｛ipposten｝； 〃a true soldier's horse。〃
＇13＇ ｛sobaron｝； 〃what a push and swagger〃； ｛kai ama edun te kai
gorgon idein｝； 〃a la fois doux et terrible a voir；〃 see Victor
Cherbuliez； 〃Un Cheval de Phidias；〃 p。 148。
Thus far on this topic； these notes may serve perhaps to meet a special
need。
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XI
If； however； the wish is to secure a horse adapted to parade and state
processions； a high stepper and a showy＇1＇ animal； these are qualities not
to be found combined in every horse； but to begin with； the animal must
have high spirit and a stalwart body。 Not that； as some think； a horse with
flexible legs will necessarily be able to rear his body。 What we want is a
horse with supple loins； and not supple only but short and strong （I do not
mean the loins towards the tail； but by the belly the region between the
ribs and thighs）。 That is the horse who will be able to plant his hind…legs
well under the forearm。 If while he is so planting his hind…quarters； he is
pulled up with the bit； he lowers his hind…legs on his hocks＇2＇ and raises
the forepart of his body； so that any one in front of him will see the whole
length of his belly to the sheath。＇3＇ At the moment the horse does this； the
rider should give him the rein； so that he may display the noblest feats
which a horse can perform of his own free will； to the satisfaction of the
spectators。
＇1＇ ｛lampros｝。 Cf。 Isae。 xi。 41 （〃On the estate of Hagnias〃）； Lys。
xix。 63 （〃de Bon。 Aris