2^2 XENOPHON's TREATISE 



catch them, and the bit remains in its proper place j 

 and the horfe forbears to try to diflodge it. Left any 

 one fhould be ignorant of what we mean hy flexible and 

 Jiiff bits, we will explain ourfelves. A bit is flexible, 

 or eafy, which is compofed of broad and fmooth joints, 

 fo that it may eafily be bent, and every bit is eafier in 

 proportion as its joints are large and pliant. But if 

 the parts of the bit do not move eafdy, it is ill put to- 

 gether, and becomes fharp and fcvere. But whatever 

 fort of bridle is ufed, the horfe fhould be fo formed by 

 it, as to perform all that is required of him, or elfe he 

 will not be fuch as we have defcribed. 



The hand muft neither be held fo ftri(fl; as to con- 

 fine and make the horfe uneafy, nor fo loofely as not 

 to let him feel it. The moment he obeys and anfwers 

 it, yield the bridle to him ; this will take off the ftrefs, 

 and relieve his bars, and is in conformity with that 

 maxim, which fliould never be forgot, which is to carefs 

 and reward him for whatever he does well. The mo- 

 ment that the rider perceives that the horfe begins to 

 place his head, to go lightly in the hand, and with cafe 

 and pleafure to him ('elf ; he (hould do nothing that is 

 difagreeable, but flatter and coax, fuffer him to reft a 

 while, and do all he can to keep him in this happy tem- 

 per. This will encourage and prepare him for greater 

 undertakings. 



There is a plain proof to be given, that an horfe takes 

 pleafure in going faft. When he is at. liberty, he fel- 

 dom chufes to go flow, but naturally delights to run 



and 



