On the Art of Horsemanship

When he directs his horse to go forward, let him begin at a walk, for this prevents any flurry. If the horse carries his head too low, let the rider hold the hands higher; if too high, lower; for in this way he will give him the most graceful carriage.

After this, if he breaks into his natural trot, he will relax his body in the easiest fashion and come to the gallop most readily. Since, too, the more approved method is to begin with the left,[*](The left lead comes natural to the horse. The Parthenon figures show the right lead; but the Greeks approved of many things in art that they did not practise.) one will best begin on this side, by giving the horse the signal to gallop while trotting, at the instant when he is treading with the right (fore) foot.

As he is then on the point of raising the left, he will begin with it, and, as soon as the rider turns him to the left, will immediately begin the stride. For it is natural for the horse to lead with the right when turned to the right and with the left when turned to the left.[*](A remarkable proof of X’s. power of observation. When the trotting horse treads with the right fore-leg, the hind-legs are in the position that the horse assumes when galloping on the left lead, and the horse will strike off with the left fore-leg.)

The exercise that we recommend is the one called the ring,[*](Literally fetter. The old English term is ring, now volte. Of course the horse was exercised first in one direction, then in the other.) since it accustoms the horse to turn on both jaws. It is also well to change the exercise,[*](i.e., ride on the other hand; this is not part of the volte.) in order that both jaws may be equally practised on each side of the exercise.[*](i.e., may have both jaws equally sensitive on whichever hand he is ridden.)

We recommend the manage[*](I have ventured to use this term since X. means precisely what Gervase Markham calls the manage in the strict sense, i.e., two straight treads with a semicircle at either end.) rather than the complete ring, for thus the horse will turn more willingly when he has gone some distance in a straight course, and one can practise the career and the turn at the same time.