It is a good thing also for the rider to accustom himself to keep a
quiet seat, especially when mounted on a spirited horse; and also to
touch him as little as possible with anything except that part of the
body necessary to secure a firm seat.

Again, it should be known that the conventional "chirrup"[7] to quiet
and "cluck" to rouse a horse are a sort of precept of the training
school; and supposing any one from the beginning chose to associate
soft soothing actions with the "cluck" sound, and harsh rousing
actions with the "chirrup," the horse could be taught to rouse himself
at the "chirrup" and to calm himself at the "cluck" sound. On this
principle, at the sound of the trumpet or the shout of battle the
rider should avoid coming up to his charger in a state of excitement,
or, indeed, bringing any disturbing influence to bear on the animal.
As far as possible, at such a crisis he should halt and rest him; and,
if circumstances permit, give him his morning or his evening meal. But
the best advice of all is not to get an over-spirited horse for the
purposes of war.

[7] Al. "whistling," and see Berenger, ii. 68. {poppusmos}, a sound
from the lips; {klogmos}, from the cheek.

As to the sluggish type of animal, I need only suggest to do
everything the opposite to what we advise as appropriate in dealing
with an animal of high spirit.



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