14 EARLY Tfl.^TOnY OF THE HORSE. 



Neptune. At a signal from the presiding oflicer, the eagle, by some 

 mechanism, sprang into the air, the dolphin sank under gi'ound ; and away 

 the horses started. The hipjiodrome, or course, was about one-third of a 

 mile in length ; and at the farther end was a pillar, round which the 

 chariots were to be driven and back again to the starting-place six times, 

 making rather more than four miles. 



The rounding of this pillar was the first test of the skdl of the driver 

 and the docility of the horses, and many an accident happened there. 



This dangerous spot was no sooner passed, than the competitors came 

 at once upon a strange figure placed to try the courage and nerve of the 

 horses. It was an enormous statue, called Taraxippus, the terrifier of 

 horses ; and, according to old writers, well worthy of the name. None 

 of them desci^ibe this strange deity, but all agree that he used sadly to 

 frighten the steeds, and often to endanger their lives, and that of the 

 drivers. 



A little further on was a lofty rock, in the very centre of the course, 

 leaving only a very narrow defile, in the passing through which the skill 

 of the charioteer was severely tried ; while several men, placed on the rock, 

 increased the confusion and the terror of the horses, by the continual 

 braying of their trumpets. 



As may be well supposed, the number of the competitors was much 

 diminished ere the conclusion of the race. Some ran against the pillar, 

 others were frightened out of the course by the horrible statue, and not a 

 few were wrecked on that fearful rock. Some were destroyed on the spot ; 

 others, who escaped without serious injury, were derided by the spectators, 

 on account of their want of skill ; and the fragments with Avhich the course 

 was covered rendered almost every step perilous. ' The conqueror in 

 such a race,' says Pausanias, 'well deserved the crown wliich he received, 

 and the honours that were bestowed on him.' 



What were the opinions which prevailed at this early period respecting 

 the proper form— the points of the horse ? Let that master horseman, 

 Xenophon, declare : — ' The first thing that ought to be looked to is the 

 foot ; for as a house would be of no use, though all the upper parts of it 

 were beautiful, if the lower parts of it had not a proper foundation, so a 

 horse would not be of any use in war if he had tender feet, even though 

 he should have all other good qualities ; for his good qualities could not 

 be made any valuable use of.' This maxim, more than 2,200 years old, 

 bespeaks at once the horseman. 



' Thick hoofs make a horse's feet better than thin ones.' This must be 

 self-evident, where there was no artificial protection of the foot. The 

 force with which the foot will come in contact with the ground at every 

 step will produce sufficient expansion of the heel ; but it is only a strong 

 foot that can long endure the concussion, without being worn away. 



' It likewise must not be forgotten to see whether the hoofs are high or 

 low; and near the ground, both before and behind.' Few things are of 

 greater importance than this. If the inclination of the foot in front is less 

 than its usual angle (forty-five degrees), it indicates a contracted foot, and 

 a morbidly hollow sole, and inflammation of the laminae, and speedy and 

 incurable lameness. If the inclination is greater, and the angle acuter 

 than it should be, there is flatness of the sole, and liability to serious 

 l)ruise of it, or, perhaps, pumiCed feet. 



' The pasterns, or bones immediately above the hoofs and below the 

 fetlocks, ought not to be straight like those of a goat, for this would shake 

 the rider, and such legs are more subject to inflammation ; nor ought these 

 bones to be too low, for the fetlock v/ould be chafed and ulcerated if the 

 horse Avas ridden over ploughed grounds, or among stones.' If he had added 



