242 XENOPHON's TREATISE 



wetted every day. One fhould be fparing too in 

 cleaning the belly; it is troublefome and difagreeabl^ 

 to the horfe, and the part, by being clean, is more 

 likely to attradt fuch things as may be ofFenfive to it ; 

 and, notwithflanding all the pains that may be taken, 

 the horfe is no fooner led out, than he will be made 

 as dirty as before. — Wherefore, entirely omit it, and 

 let it fuffice to have his legs rubbed with the hand. 



CHAP. VI. 



WE will now iliow which is the beft manner of 

 cleaning and drefling an horfe, and, at the 

 fame time, fafefl to the groom. If he Hands in a 

 line * with the horfe while he is cleaning him, he 

 runs the rifque of being flruck in the face with his 

 knee or hoof. But if he {lands fide-ways, and places 

 hirafelf out of the reach of his foot near the flioulder, 

 he is fecure, and may take up the foot and examine 

 and pick it. This rule fhould be obferved in hand- 

 ling his hinder legs. In general, let it be obferved, 

 that whatever he intends to do to the horfe, he (hould 

 go as little as poflible to the head, or tail ; for then, if 

 the horfe is inclined to be villous, he has an advan- 

 tage over him. But if you approach him fideways, 

 you have it in your power to treat him as you will, 



* That is, if he Hands direftly oppofite to the horfe. 



without 



