Ill] 



AND HISTORIC TIMES 



299 



and his nostrils wide. When the upper part of the head is 

 somewhat large and the ears rather small a horse's head is more 

 like what it ought to be." These words of Xenophon would 

 serve well for a description of the head of Selene's steed. " A 

 high shoulder makes the rider's seat more secure and makes the 

 shoulder appear more firmly attached to the body; a double 

 back, that is, when the flesh rises on both sides of the spine, is 

 much softer to sit upon and more pleasing to the eye than 



Fig. 84. Head of the Horse of Selene : Parthenon. 



a single one." As the Greeks did not use saddles, they had 

 every reason to dislike a horse ' as lean as any rake.' " The 

 colt should have a good barrel, both for appearance and for 

 easiness of riding ; the loins should be short and broad, for then 

 the horse more easily raises his fore-parts and brings forward 

 his hinder ones ; his haunches should be broad, and well covered 

 with flesh; and if these parts are compact, they will be the 

 lighter for running and make the horse much swifter; the 

 thighs should be broad and straight, for in that case he will set 



