On Horsemanship by Xenophon
page 21 of 54 (38%)
page 21 of 54 (38%)
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[11] Or, "may be used with like effect on a horse's mouth," i.e. bathing, friction, oil. See Pollux, i. 201. V It is the duty of a horseman, as we think, to have his groom trained thoroughly in all that concerns the treatment of the horse. In the first place, then, the groom should know that he is never to knot the halter[1] at the point where the headstall is attached to the horse's head. By constantly rubbing his head against the manger, if the halter does not sit quite loose about his ears, the horse will be constantly injuring himself;[2] and with sores so set up, it is inevitable that he should show peevishness, while being bitted or rubbed down. [1] Lit. "by which the horse is tied to the manger"; "licol d'ecurie." [2] Al. "in nine cases out of ten he rubs his head . . . and ten to one will make a sore." It is desirable that the groom should be ordered to carry out the dung and litter of the horse to some one place each day. By so doing, he will discharge the duty with least trouble to himself,[3] and at the same time be doing the horse a kindness. [3] Al. "get rid of the refuse in the easiest way." The groom should also be instructed to attach the muzzle to the |
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