On Horsemanship

f the animal which he bestrides. First, then, he should take the leading rein, which hangs from the chin-strap or nose-band,91 conveniently in his left hand, held slack so as

ground for mounting,93 he should hoist his body by help of the left hand, and with the right at full stretch assist the upward movement94 (a position in mounting which will present a graceful spectacle also from behind);95 a

at from the right side also. In fact, he has nothing else to learn except to do with his right limbs what he has previously done with the left, and vice versa. And the reason we approve of this method of m

g and foot should hang loosely from the knee; by keeping the leg stiff, the rider is apt to have it broken in collision with some obstacle; whereas a flexible leg98 will yield to the impact, and at the same time not shift the thigh from its position. The rider should also accustom the whole of his body above the hips to be as supple as possible; for thus he will enlarge his scope of action, and in case of a tug or shove be

without being weak or slippery or thick, so that when nec

e. Presently, as he falls into a natural trot,102 he will gradually relax his limbs without the slightest suffering, and so come more agreeably to the gallop.103 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 a

and then the other half of the exercise.107 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 p

g 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 sudden

group of people,112 nor outside the exercising-ground; but on the precise spot which is th