Classical literature; Horsemanship; Horses -- Training
A good deal can be done by touching, stroking, patting those
parts of the body which the creature likes to have so handled. These
are the hairiest parts, or where, if there is anything annoying him, the
horse can least of all apply relief himself.
(1) Or, "The training of the colt is a topic which, as it seems to us,
may fairly be omitted, since those appointed for cavalry service
in these states are persons who," etc. For reading see Courier,
"Notes," p. 84.
(2) "Organisation in the several states."
(3) Or, "As a matter of fact it is the wealthiest members of the
state, and those who have the largest stake in civic life, that
are appointed to cavalry duties." See "Hippparch," i. 9.
(4) Cf. "Econ." iii. 10.
(5) {ego}. Hitherto the author has used the plural {emin} with which
he started.
(6) Reading {upodeigmata}, "finger-post signs," as it were, or "draft
in outline"; al. {upomnemata} = "memoranda."
(7) "Gentle, and accustomed to the hand, and fond of man."
(8) Lit. "if he knows how to provide that hunger and thirst, etc.,
should be felt by the colt in solitude, whilst food and drink,
etc., come through help of man."
The groom should have standing orders to take his charge through crowds,
and to make him familiar with all sorts of sights and noises; and if the
colt shows sign of apprehension at them, (9) he must teach him--not by
cruel, but by gentle handling--that they are not really formidable.
(9) Or, "is disposed to shy."
On this topic, then, of training, (10) the rules here given will, I
think, suffice for any private individual.
(10) Or, "In reference to horsebreaking, the above remarks will
perhaps be found sufficient for the practical guidance of an
amateur."
III
To meet the case in which the object is to buy a horse already fit
for riding, we will set down certain memoranda, (1) which, if applied
intelligently, may save the purchaser from being cheated.
(1) "Which the purchaser should lay to heart, if he does not wish to
be cheated."
First, then, let there be no mistake about the age. If the horse
has lost his mark teeth, (2) not only will the purchaser's hopes be
blighted, but he may find himself saddled for ever with a sorry bargain.
(3)
(2) Or, "the milk teeth," i.e. is more than five years old. See
Morgan, p. 126.
(3) Lit. "a horse that has lost his milk teeth cannot be said to
gladden his owner's mind with hopes, and is not so easily disposed
of."
Given that the fact of youth is well established, let there be no
mistake about another matter: how does he take the bit into his mouth
and the headstall (4) over his ears? There need be little ambiguity
on this score, if the purchaser will see the bit inserted and again
removed, under his eyes. Next, let it be carefully noted how the horse
stands being mounted. Many horses are extremely loath to admit the
approach of anything which, if once accepted, clearly means to them
enforced exertion.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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