z^6 XENOPHON's TREATISE 



ed to ufe different horfes at different times, but even 

 becaufe the fame horfe is not always equally quiet and 

 patient to be mounted. 



CHAP. vn. 



OUR next bulinefs fliall be to give fome direAions, 

 which fhould be followed by every good rider, 

 when he is going to mount his horfe. 



He mufl firft, with his left-hand, gently take hold o£ 

 the rein, which is fattened to the lower part of the bit, 

 or to the chain that goes under the chin, handling it 

 fo lightly as not to check the horfe, if he raifes him- 

 felf in mounting, by taking hold of the mane near 

 the ears ; or if he fprings from his lance *. "With his 

 right-hand let him take hold of the bridle near the 

 fliouldcr, and of the mane at the fam.e time, that he 

 may in no refpedt pull the bridle as he rifes : when 

 he makes his effort to fpring up, let him raife l^is 



* This manner of getting on horfeback from the lance or fpear, 

 has, till lately, puzzled all the antiquaries and commentators, who have 

 not been able to give any fatisfadtory account of it. In the colleftion 

 of the Pales Jntiques, belonging to the late celebrated baron Stecb, there 

 is one which reprefents a foldier as going to mount his horfe by the 

 afTiftance of his fpear. The fpear is planted at the fide of the horfe, 

 and has an Hook upon the fhaft, on which the man placing his foot, 

 cafily beftrides the horfe. This, at firft fight, explains the above paf- 

 fage. Livy mentions likewife this method of getting on horfeback, 

 as practifed by the Roman foldiers. 



6 body 



