[7] Cf. "Anab." IV. iv. 4; "Hipparch," i. 17; "Cyrop." VII. i. 38.

[8] An {anaboleus}. Cf. Plut. "C. Gracch." 7.

The one best precept--the golden rule--in dealing with a horse is
never to approach him angrily. Anger is so devoid of forethought that
it will often drive a man to do things which in a calmer mood he will
regret.[9] Thus, when a horse is shy of any object and refuses to
approach it, you must teach him that there is nothing to be alarmed
at, particularly if he be a plucky animal;[10] or, failing that, touch
the formidable object yourself, and then gently lead the horse up to
it. The opposite plan of forcing the frightened creature by blows only
intensifies its fear, the horse mentally associating the pain he
suffers at such a moment with the object of suspicion, which he
naturally regards as its cause.

[9] Cf. "Hell." v. iii. 7 for this maxim.

[10] Al. "if possibly by help of another and plucky animal."

If, when the groom brings up the horse to his master to mount, he
knows how to make him lower his back,[11] to facilitate mounting, we
have no fault to find. Still, we consider that the horseman should
practise and be able to mount, even if the horse does not so lend
himself;[12] since on another occasion another type of horse may fall
to the rider's lot,[13] nor can the same rider be always served by the
same equerry.[14]

[11] {upobibazesthai}. See above, i. 14; Pollux, i. 213; Morgan ad