^2 XENOrHON ON HORSEMANSHIP. 



any implement at all. It is to be rubbed 

 with the hand, and softly smoothed in its 

 natural direction ; for thus the seat would be 

 least injured. The head, however, must be 

 washed with water; -^ it is bony, and to clean 

 it with iron or wood would hurt the horse. 

 The forelock also should be wetted ; this hair, 

 even though pretty long, does not prevent 

 the horse from seeing, but clears away from 

 his eyes things that would hurt them. The 

 gods, we must believe, gave this tuft to the 

 horse instead of the huge ears which the}^ gave 

 to asses and mules to protect their eyes. 



The tail and mane should be washed, seeing 

 that the hair must be made to grow on the 

 tail, so that the horse, reaching out as far as 

 possible, may switch away things that tor- 

 ment him, and made to grow on the neck 

 to afford plenty to take hold of in mounting. 

 The mane, forelock, and tail are gifts of the 

 gods bestowed on the horse for beauty.^^ 

 A proof is that brood mares, as long as 

 their hair is flowing, are not so apt to admit 

 asses, whence all breeders of mules cut off 

 the hairdo from their mares preparatory to 

 covering. 



