248 XENOPHON's TREATISE 



ihighs will cling clofer to the horfe, and, being up- 

 right, he will be better able to wield his lance, and ^' 

 llrike with more force. 



The leg, below the knee, muft hang loofe and eafyj 

 if it is kept llifF, and (hould ftrike againfl any thing, 

 it might be hurt or broken ; but being at liberty, 

 whatever it encounters it will give way, while the 

 T'bigb remains unmoved. Indeed the whole of the 

 rider's body fhould be, above the knees, as pliant as 

 pollible, that he may be able to endure more fatigue, 

 and be lefs liable, when he is attacked, to be either 

 pulled or puflied from his feat. 



When he is feated, the horfe muft be taught to con- 

 tinue quiet till he has got every thing he wants, 

 gathered the reins even in his hand, and placed his 

 fpear in the moft convenient manner. 



Let him keep his left-arm clofe to his fide, which is 

 the moft becoming pofture, and that in which he can 

 exert the greateft power. The reins fhould be of equal 

 length, ftrong, not llippery nor thick, in order that the 

 fpear may occafionally be held in the fame hand. 



When the rider direds his horfe to go forward, let 

 him begin at a flow rate, for this prevents confufion. 



If the horfe carries his head low, let the rider hold 

 the reins high ; and, vice verfa, this makes the moft 

 graceful appearance. 



The horfe will fooner make his body fupple and 

 pliable, by being fuffered to go his own pace for fome 

 time, which will prepare him to be exerted and ani- 

 mated 



