On the Art of Horsemanship

Next, attention must be paid to his behaviour when he receives the rider on his back. For many horses will not readily accept a thing if they know beforehand that, if they accept it, they will be forced to work.

Another thing to be observed is whether when mounted he is willing to leave his companions, or whether in passing standing horses he does not bolt towards them. Some too, in consequence of bad training run away from the riding ground to the paths that lead home.

A horse with jaws unequally sensitive is detected by the exercise called the ring,[*](i.e., the volte; see note at 7.13.) but much more by changing the exercise.[*](i.e., by riding on the other hand. The allusion, as Hermann saw, is not to the inverted volte.) For many do not attempt to bolt unless they have a bad mouth, and the road along which they can bolt home gives them their chance.[*](The meaning is, that if, for example, the road on the right leads home, the horse with a more sensitive right jaw will try to bolt down it.) It is likewise necessary to know whether, when going at full speed he can be pulled up sharp, and whether he turns readily.

And it is well to make sure whether he is equally willing to obey when roused by a blow. For a disobedient servant and a disobedient army are of course useless; and a disobedient horse is not only useless, but often behaves just like a traitor.

As we have assumed that the horse to be bought is designed for war, he must be tested in all the particulars in which he is tested by war. These include springing across ditches, leaping over walls, rushing up banks, jumping down from banks. One must also try him by riding up and down hill and on a slope. All these experiments prove whether his spirit is strong and his body sound.