loc. "Stirrups were unknown till long after the Christian era
began."

[12] Or, "apart from these good graces on the animal's part."

[13] As a member of the cavalry.

[14] Reading {allo}. Al. reading {allos} with L. D., "and the same
horse will at one time humour you in one way and again in
another." Cf. viii. 13, x. 12, for {uperetein} of the horse.



VII

The master, let us suppose, has received his horse and is ready to
mount.[1] We will now prescribe certain rules to be observed in the
interests not only of the horseman but of the animal which he
bestrides. First, then, he should take the leading rein, which hangs
from the chin-strap or nose-band,[2] conveniently in his left hand,
held slack so as not to jerk the horse's mouth, whether he means to
mount by hoisting himself up, catching hold of the mane behind the
ears, or to vault on to horseback by help of his spear. With the right
hand he should grip the reins along with a tuft of hair beside the
shoulder-joint,[3] so that he may not in any way wrench the horse's
mouth with the bit while mounting. In the act of taking the spring off
the ground for mounting,[4] he should hoist his body by help of the
left hand, and with the right at full stretch assist the upward
movement[5] (a position in mounting which will present a graceful
spectacle also from behind);[6] at the same time with the leg well