14 XENOPHON'S HORSE. 



without serious injury, were derided by the spectators, on account of their want 

 of skill ; and the fragments with which the course was covered, rendered almost 

 every step perilous. The conqueror in such a race well deserved the crown 

 which he received, and the honours that were bestowed on him *. 



What were the opinions which prevailed at this early period respecting the 

 proper form the points of the horse ? Let that master horseman, Xenophon, 

 declare. " The first thing that ought to be looked to is the foot ; for as a house 

 would be of no use, though all the upper parts of it were beautiful, if the lower 

 parts of it had not a proper foundation, so a horse would not be of any use in 

 war, if he had tender feet, even though he should have all other good qualities ; 

 for his good qualities could not be made any valuable use of." This maxim, 

 more than 2200 years old, bespeaks at once the horseman. 



" Thick hoofs make a horse's feet better than thin ones." This must be 

 self-evident, where there was no artificial protection of the foot. The force 

 with which the foot will come in contact with the ground at every step will 

 produce sufficient expansion of the heel ; but it is only a strong foot that can 

 long endure the concussion, without being worn away. 



" It likewise must not be forgotten to see whether the hoofs are high or 

 low, and near the ground, both before and behind." Few things are of greater 

 importance than this. If the inclination of the foot in front is less than its 

 usual angle (forty-five degrees), it indicates a contracted foot, and a morbidly 

 hollow sole, and inflammation of the laminae, and speedy and incurable lame- 

 ness. If the inclination is greater, and the angle acuter than it should be, 

 there is flatness of the sole, and liability to serious bruise of it, or, perhaps, 

 pumiced feet. 



" The pasterns, or bones immediately above the hoofs and below the fetlocks, 

 ought not to be straight like those of a goat ; for this would shake the rider, 

 and such legs are more subject to inflammation ; nor ought these bones to be 

 too low, for the fetlock would be chafed and ulcerated, if the horse was ridden 

 over ploughed grounds, or among stones." If he had added that the oblique 

 pastern was sadly liable to sprain, and there would often be injury through the 

 whole course of the flexor tendon, nothing could have been added to the force 

 of his observation. 



" The bones of the legs ought to be large, since they are supporters of the 

 body ; not, however, thick with veins, or cellular matter." He is speaking of 

 the war-horse and the hunter, and what can be more correct ? 



" If the colt in walking bends his knees freely, you may judge, when he 

 comes to be ridden, that his legs will be supple ; and supple joints are justly 

 commended, as they make a horse less liable to stumble, and not tire so soon as 

 when his joints are stiff." 



u The thighs under the shoulders (the fore-arms), when they are large, are both 

 powerful and graceful ; and the chest being large, contributes not only to beauty 

 and strength, but to a horse's being able to continue a long time in one pace." 



" The necK should proceed from the chest, rising upwards, and it should be 

 loose about the bend of the head : the head, too, being bony, should have a 

 Email cheek. The eye should be standing out, and not sunk in the cheek. 

 The nostrils that are wide, are not only better adapted for breathing than 

 those that are compressed, but likewise cause the horse to appear more terrible 

 in battle. The top of the head being large, and the ears small, makes the 

 head appear more elegant. The point of the shoulder likewise, being high, 

 renders that part of the body more compact." The author was evidently aware 



* Pausanias, lib. vii. Pindar. Olymp. 3. Voyage du Jeune Anacharsis, vol. iii. p. 506. 

 Berenger, vol. i. p. 53. 



