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implements for cleansing； and then beat out the dust； following the lie of
the hair。 The hair on the spine （and dorsal region） ought not to be touched
with any instrument whatever； the hand alone should be used to rub and
smooth it； and in the direction of its natural growth； so as to preserve from
injury that part of the horse's back on which the rider sits。
The head should be drenched with water simply； for； being bony； if
you try to cleanse it with iron or wooden instruments injury may be caused。
So； too； the forelock should be merely wetted； the long hairs of which it is
composed； without hindering the animal's vision； serve to scare away from
the eyes anything that might trouble them。 Providence； we must
suppose；＇6＇ bestowed these hairs upon the horse； instead of the large ears
which are given to the ass and the mule as a protection to the eyes。＇7＇ The
tail； again； and mane should be washed； the object being to help the hairs
to growthose in the tail so as to allow the creature the greatest reach
possible in brushing away molesting objects；＇8＇ and those of the neck in
order that the rider may have as free a grip as possible。
＇6＇ Lit。 〃The gods； we must suppose； gave 。 。 。〃
＇7＇ Lit。 〃as defences or protective bulwarks。〃
＇8＇ Insects； etc。
Mane； forelock； and tail are triple gifts bestowed by the gods upon the
horse for the sake of pride and ornament；＇9＇ and here is the proof： a brood
mare； so long as her mane is long and flowing； will not readily suffer
herself to be covered by an ass； hence breeders of mules take care to clip
the mane of the mare with a view to covering。＇10＇
＇9＇ ｛aglaias eneka｝ （a poetic word）。 Cf。 〃Od。〃 xv。 78； xvii。 310。
＇10＇ For this belief Schneid。 cf Aristot。 〃H。 A。〃 vi。 18； Plin。 viii。
42； Aelian； 〃H。 A。〃 ii。 10； xi。 18； xii。 16； to which Dr。 Morgan aptly
adds Soph。 〃Fr。〃 587 （Tyro）； a beautiful passage； ｛komes de penthos
lagkhano polou diken； k。t。l。｝ （cf。 Plut。 〃Mor。〃 754 A）。
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On Horsemanship
Washing of the legs we are inclined to dispense withno good is done
but rather harm to the hoofs by this daily washing。 So； too； excessive
cleanliness of the belly is to be discouraged； the operation itself is most
annoying to the horse； and the cleaner these parts are made； the thicker the
swarm of troublesome things which collect beneath the belly。 Besides
which； however elaborately you clean these parts； the horse is no sooner
led out than presently he will be just as dirty as if he had not been cleaned。
Omit these ablutions then； we say； and similarly for the legs； rubbing and
currying by hand is quite sufficient。
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On Horsemanship
VI
We will now explain how the operation of grooming may be
performed with least danger to oneself and best advantage to the horse。 If
the groom attempts to clean the horse with his face turned the same way as
the horse； he runs the risk of getting a knock in the face from the animal's
knee or hoof。 When cleaning him he should turn his face in the opposite
direction to the horse； and planting himself well out of the way of his leg；
at an angle to his shoulder…blade； proceed to rub him down。 He will then
escape all mischief； and he will be able to clean the frog by folding back
the hoof。 Let him clean the hind…legs in the same way。
The man who has to do with the horse should know； with regard to this
and all other necessary operations； that he ought to approach as little as
possible from the head or the tail to perform them； for if the horse attempt
to show vice he is master of the man in front and rear。 But by approaching
from the side he will get the greatest hold over the horse with the least risk
of injury to himself。
When the horse has to be led； we do not approve of leading him from
in front； for the simple reason that the person so leading him robs himself
of his power of self…protection； whilst he leaves the horse freedom to do
what he likes。 On the other hand； we take a like exception to the plan of
training the horse to go forward on a long rein＇1＇ and lead the way； and for
this reason： it gives the horse the opportunity of mischief； in whichever
direction he likes； on either flank； and the power also to turn right about
and face his driver。 How can a troop of horses be kept free of one another；
if driven in this fashion from behind？whereas a horse accustomed to be
led from the side will have least power of mischief to horse or man； and at
the same time be in the best position to be mounted by the rider at a
moment's notice； were it necessary。
＇1＇ See a passage from Strattis； 〃Chrys。〃 2 （Pollux； x。 55）； ｛prosage
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On Horsemanship
ton polon atrema； proslabon ton agogea brakhuteron。 oukh oras oti
abolos estin｝。
In order to insert the bit correctly the groom should； in the first place；
approach on the near＇2＇ side of the horse； and then throwing the reins over
his head； let them drop loosely on the withers； raise the headstall in his
right hand； and with his left present the bit。 If the horse will take the bit； it
is a simple business to adjust the strap of the headstall； but if he refuses to
open his mouth； the groom must hold the bit against the teeth and at the
same time insert the thumb＇3＇ of his left hand inside the horse's jaws。
Most horses will open their mouths to that operation。 But if he still refuses；
then the groom must press the lip against the tush＇4＇； very few horses will
refuse the bit； when that is done to them。＇5＇
＇2＇ Lit。 〃on the left…hand side。〃
＇3＇ ｛ton megan daktulon｝； Hdt。 iii。 8。
＇4＇ i。e。 〃canine tooth。〃
＇5＇ Or； 〃it is a very exceptional horse that will not open his mouth
under the circumstances。〃
The groom can hardly be too much alive to the following points * * *
if any work is to be done：＇6＇ in fact； so important is it that the horse should
readily take his bit； that； to put it tersely； a horse that will not take it is
good for nothing。 Now； if the horse be bitted not only when he has work to
do； but also when he is being taken to his food and when he is being led
home from a ride； it