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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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On Horsemanship
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。 Arist。〃）。
＇2＇ See Berenger； ii。 68。
＇3＇ Lit。 〃testicles。〃
There are； indeed； other methods of teaching these arts。＇4＇ Some do so
by touching the horse with a switch under the hocks； others employ an
attendant to run alongside and strike the horse with a stick under the
gaskins。 For ourselves； however； far the best method of instruction；＇5＇ as
we keep repeating； is to let the horse feel that whatever he does in
obedience to the rider's wishes will be followed by some rest and
relaxation。
＇4＇ Lit。 〃People； it must be admitted； claim to teach these arts in
varous wayssome by 。 。 。 others by bidding 。 。 。〃
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On Horsemanship
＇5＇ Reading ｛didaskalion｝； al。 ｛didaskalion｝； 〃systems。〃 Schneid。 cf。
Herod。 v。 58。
To quote a dictum of Simon； what a horse does under compulsion he
does blindly； and his performance is no more beautiful than would be that
of a ballet…dancer taught by whip and goad。 The performances of horse or
man so treated would seem to be displays of clumsy gestures rather than
of grace and beauty。 What we need is that the horse should of his own
accord exhibit his finest airs and paces at set signals。＇6＇ Supposing； when
he is in the riding…field；＇7＇ you push him to a gallop until he is bathed in
sweat； and when he begins to prance and show his airs to fine effect； you
promptly dismount and take off the bit； you may rely upon it he will of his
own accord another time break into the same prancing action。 Such are the
horses on which gods and heroes ride； as represented by the artist。 The
majesty of men themselves is best discovered in the graceful handling of
such animals。＇8＇ A horse so prancing is indeed a thing of beauty； a wonder
and a marvel； riveting the gaze of all who see him； young alike and
graybeards。 They will never turn their backs； I venture to predict； or weary
of their gazing so long as he continues to display his splendid action。
＇6＇ Or； 〃by aids and signs；〃 as we say。
＇7＇ Or； 〃exercising…ground。〃
＇8＇ Or； 〃and the man who knows how to manage such a creature
gracefully himself at once appears magnificent。〃
If the possessor of so rare a creature should find himself by chance in
the position of a squadron leader or a general of cavalry； he must not
confine his zeal to the development of his personal splendour； but should
study all the more to make the troop or regiment a splendid spectacle。
Supposing （in accordance with the high praise bestowed upon the type of
animal）＇9＇ the leader is mounted on a horse