[9] i.e. "below the knee"; "shin and calf."[10] Lit. "pulled up" (and arranged the folds of his mantle). [11] {eustalestatos}, "the most business-like deportment."As to reins, we recommend those which are well balanced, without being weak or slippery or thick, so that when necessary, the hand which holds them can also grasp a spear.
As soon as the rider gives the signal to the horse to start,[12] he should begin at a walking pace, which will tend to allay his excitement. If the horse is inclined to droop his head, the reins should be held pretty high; or somewhat low, if he is disposed to carry his head high. This will set off the horse's bearing to the best advantage. Presently, as he falls into a natural trot,[13] he will gradually relax his limbs without the slightest suffering, and so come more agreeably to the gallop.[14] Since, too, the preference is given to starting on the left foot, it will best conduce to that lead if, while the horse is still trotting, the signal to gallop should be given at the instant of making a step with his right foot.[15] As he is on the point of lifting his left foot he will start upon it, and while turning left will simultaneously make the first bound of the gallop;[16] since, as a matter of instinct, a horse, on being turned to the right, leads off with his right limbs, and to the left with his left.
[12] "Forwards!"
[13] Or, "the true trot."
[14] {epirrabdophorein}, "a fast pace in response to a wave of the whip."[15] See Berenger, i. p. 249; also the "Cavalry Drill Book," Part I. Equitation, S. 22, "The Canter."[16] {tes episkeliseos}, "he will make the forward stride of the gallop in the act of turning to the left." See Morgan ad loc.
As an exercise, we recommend what is called the volte,[17] since ithabituates the animal to turn to either hand; while a variation in the order of the turn is good as involving an equalisation of both sides of the mouth, in first one, and then the other half of the exercise.[18] But of the two we commend the oval form of the volte rather than the circular; for the horse, being already sated with the straight course, will be all the more ready to turn, and will be practised at once in the straight course and in wheeling. At the curve, he should be held up,[19] because it is neither easy nor indeed safe when the horse is at full speed to turn sharp, especially if the ground is broken[20] or slippery.
[17] {pede}, figure of eight.
[18] Or, "on first one and then the other half of the manege."[19] {upolambanein}. See "Hipparch," iii. 14; "Hunting," iii. 10; vi. 22, of a dog.
[20] {apokroton}, al. {epikroton}, "beaten, hard-trodden ground."But in collecting him, the rider should as little as possible sway the horse obliquely with the bit, and as little as possible incline his own body; or, he may rest assured, a trifle will suffice to stretch him and his horse full length upon the ground. The moment the horse has his eyes fixed on the straight course after making a turn, is the time to urge him to full speed. In battle, obviously, these turns and wheelings are with a view to charging or retiring; consequently, to practise quickening the pace after wheeling is desirable. When the horse seems to have had enough of the manege, it would be good to give him a slight pause, and then suddenly to put him to his quickest, away from his fellows first,[21] and now towards them; and then again to quiet him down in mid-career as short as possible;[22] and from halt once more to turn him right-about and off again full charge. It is easy to predict that the day will come when there will be need of each of these manouvres.
[21] {mentoi}, "of course."
[22] Or, "within the narrowest compass"; "as finely as possible."When the moment to dismount has come, you should never do so among other horses, nor near a group of people,[23] nor outside theexercising-ground; but on the precise spot which is the scene of his compulsory exertion there let the horse find also relaxation.[24]
[23] Or, "a knot of bystanders"; cf. Thuc. ii. 21. [24] Or, as we say, "be caressed, and dismissed."
