230 



XENOPHON's TREATISE 



tirely to change the way of working. For many horfes 

 do not attempt to run away, unlefs they have a bad 

 mouth; or are, at the fame time, going homeward, and 

 eager to get thither. It is necelTary likewife to know, 

 whether, when the horfc is animated and exerted to a 

 briflc pace, he will flop readily, turn back, and obey the 

 rider. 



He ought alfo to be put to the trial of his obedience, 

 by being now and then roufed, and provoked by a 

 blow ; which, if he receives it without refentment or 

 anger, it is a mark of a good and generous temper. 

 An army which refufes to obey its general, or a fervant 

 who will not fubmit to his mafler, are both entirely 

 ufelefs ; but a refratftory and difobedient horfe is not 

 only of no fervice, but will degenerate into a traitor, 

 and bring his rider to deflrudtion. 



As we take for granted, that the horfe to be bought, 

 is defigned for war, he ought to be examined in every 

 particular, which that fervice requires. — Such as, his 

 vigour and adlivity in fpringing acrofs a ditch, leap- 



None of the Commentators take any notice of thefe difficulties. — Stephem 

 indeed explains the word Uih, to be a method of exercifing horfes by 

 means of a Chain, and quotes our author, adding that it was ufed to 

 make the horfe turn to either fide ; and then it might eidier be the rein 

 of the bridle, or rather a longe, with which the horfe was pulled and 

 worked, to make him fupple to either fide; for which purpofe, it 

 might be cuflomary to ufe a Cbain. All this, however, is but fuppofi- 

 tion, and 1 muft confefs my inability, to give any certain infor- 

 mation. Vid. infra. 



ing 



