ON HORSEMANSHIP. azp 



Another thing to be noted, is whether, when the 

 rider is mounted, the horfe is ready and wilHng to go 

 forward, and leave his companions, if they are near 

 him ; but rather hefitates, and cafts his eyes upon them, 

 as refufmg to leave them. 



There are others who, from not being entirely re- 

 duced, and made obedient, when they were firfl under- 

 taken, grow fo headftrong and furious, as frequently 

 to run away with the rider, and leave the place of 

 exercife *. 



Mouths which are bad, and have loft their feeling, 

 from the imperfedlion of the Jaws, or hardnefs of the 

 Bars, may be discovered by riding the horfes with a 

 Bit, called the Chain f ; but the better method is en- 

 tirely 



* From this exprefllon it is to be inferred, that the Greeks exercifed 

 and taught their horfes out of doors, and knew not to avail themfelves 

 of the advantage of a covered Manege. 



•\- It is very difficult to form any idea of the author's meaning, with: 

 refpeft to this word. — The original Greek term, niSn, fignifies a Chain, 

 Shackle, or Fetter-, and a chain, without much in:ipropriety, might be 

 put into the mouth of an horfe, and be ufed as a fort of a Bit, or elfe 

 it may be underftood to be placed on the outfide of the mouth, in the 

 hollow of the Chin, or upon the Beard, as it is called, in the manner of 

 our bits, or over the nofe, as a cavezon. Thefe fuggeftions, however, 

 are mere conjeflure, and as fuch are left with the reader. The au- 

 thor's meaning, in general, as to this paffage, is likewife fomewhat ob- 

 fcure ; for although he tells us that the badnefs of the horfe's mouth 

 maybe known by riding him with this Chain, yet he fays, immediately 

 after, that it is better that the method fiiould be totally changed; but 

 does not inform us what that method is which he wifhes we fhould purfue. 



None. 



