On Horsemanship by Xenophon
page 16 of 54 (29%)
page 16 of 54 (29%)
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will not attempt to run away except for the concurrence of a bad mouth
along with an avenue of escape home.[6] [5] See Sturz, s.v.; Pollux, i. 219. Al. "the longe," but the passage below (vii. 14) is suggestive rather of the volte. [6] Al. "will only attempt to bolt where the passage out towards home combines, as it were, with a bad mouth." {e . . . ekphora} = "the exit from the manege or riding school." Another point which it is necessary to learn is, whether when let go at full speed the horse can be pulled up[7] sharp and is willing to wheel round in obedience to the rein. [7] {analambanetai}, "come to the poise" (Morgan). For {apostrephesthai} see ix.6; tech. "caracole." It is also well to ascertain by experience if the horse you propose to purchase will show equal docility in response to the whip. Every one knows what a useless thing a servant is, or a body of troops, that will not obey. A disobedient horse is not only useless, but may easily play the part of an arrant traitor. And since it is assumed that the horse to be purchased is intended for war, we must widen our test to include everything which war itself can bring to the proof: such as leaping ditches, scrambling over walls, scaling up and springing off high banks. We must test his paces by galloping him up and down steep pitches and sharp inclines and along a slant. For each and all of these will serve as a touchstone to gauge the endurance of his spirit and the soundness of his body. |
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