BRITISH TURF. 15 



works on the same subject which have followed 

 it, up to the eighteenth century. 



Zenophon refers to a previous work by Simon 

 of ^gina, but of which nothing is now known,- — 

 a matter of little consequence, as Zenophon pro- 

 fesses to give all the passages in it that are worthy 

 of notice. He commences with instructions to a 

 purchaser, in which he recommends especial 

 attention to the legs and hoofs. He then parti- 

 cularly commends the use of gentleness in 

 breaking in and training ; in which respect he 

 differs from most of the later writers, great vio- 

 lence being the practice they generally advise. 

 He then proceeds to refer to the teeth, as a 

 sure criterion of a horse's age. His instruc- 

 tions for stabling, feeding, and exercise, show 

 much judgment ; and among other things, he 

 recommends that an outer court should be 

 strewed with small round stones, confined by an 

 iron rim, so that by constant treading upon 

 these, the hoofs may acquire hardness ; — a fact 

 well worthy of remark, as it proves that at this 

 period the Greek horses were not shod. 



His duties of a groom being curious, we will 

 briefly describe them. They are, to know how 

 to fasten a horse properly to his manger, to 

 keep the stalls clean, to curry the body, and 

 wash the head, mane, and tail. The legs are 



