\6 XENOPHON ON HORSEMANSHIP. 



of the flesh, the back sinew ^ often gives way, 

 and makes the horse lame. As for the knees, 

 if they are supple in bending when the colt 

 walks, you may infer that his limbs will be 

 supple in riding; for as time goes on, all colts 

 get more and more supple at the knees. 

 Supple knees are highly esteemed ; and justly, 

 because they make the horse easier and less 

 likely to stumble than stiff ones. Forearms ^ 

 stout below the shoulders look stronger and 

 comelier, as they do in man. 



The broader the chest so much the hand- 

 somer and the stronger is it, and the more 

 naturally adapted to carry the legs well apart 

 and without interference. The neck should 

 not be thrown out from the chest like a 

 boar's, but, like a cock's, should rise straight 

 up to the poll and be slim at the bend, 

 while the head, though bony, should have 

 but a small jaw.^ The neck would then 

 protect the rider, and the eye see what lies 

 before the feet. A horse thus shaped could 

 do the least harm, even if he were very high- 

 spirited ; for it is not by arching the neck 

 and head, but by stretching them out, that 

 horses try their powers of violence. You 



