16 HISTORY OF THE 



not to be washed, as he fancies damp softens 

 the hoof, and also that it is so much labour lost, 

 as they so soon become dirty again ! At- 

 tention is particularly enjoined in keeping the 

 heels clean, — a most salutary recommendation. 

 Among those precepts most worthy of being 

 follov/ed, is that in which he advises the groom 

 never to be angry with the horse ; but if a horse 

 is startled at any thing, he is to be gently led up 

 to it, and the rider is to handle it before him. 

 Blows are on no account to be given, as the 

 horse in such cases lays them to the account of 

 the object by which it has been terrified. 



The remainder of his work is devoted to 

 directions to the rider, as to the proper manage- 

 ment of his horse in leaping, public shows, and 

 war. 



His other work inriAPXIKOS, containing in- 

 structions to his son Gryllus, relates entirely to 

 military horsemanship. 



