On the Art of Horsemanship

When he is seated, whether on the bare back or on the cloth, we would not have him sit as if he were on his chair,[*](In the jockey mode. I think that those critics are in error who understand that X. meant that the rider should take the extreme fork seat; for not only would such a position be very insecure upon the simple saddles of the Greeks, but it is inconsistent with the graceful and firm position exhibited by the marbles. E. L. Anderson inRiding (Badminton series).) but as though he were standing upright with his legs astride. For thus he will get a better grip of his horse with his thighs, and the erect position will enable him, if need be, to throw his spear and deliver a blow on horseback with more force.

The lower leg including the foot must hang lax and easy from the knee down. For if he keeps his leg stiff and should strike it against anything, he may break it, whereas a loose leg will recoil, whatever it encounters, without disturbing the position of the thigh at all.

The rider must also accustom himself to keeping his body above the hips as loose as possible, for thus he will be able to stand more fatigue and will be less liable to come off when he is pulled or pushed.

As soon as he is seated, he must teach his horse to stand quiet at first, until he has shifted anything that wants arranging underneath him, gathered the reins even in his hand and grasped his spear in the most convenient manner. Then let him keep his left arm close to his side, for thus the horseman’s figure will look best, and his hand will have most power.

As for reins, we recommend that they be of equal strength, not weak nor slippery nor thick, in order that the spear may be held in the same hand when necessary.

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.