40 XENOPHON ON HORSEMANSHIP. 



at the withers and also grasp the mane, so 

 that he may not wrench the horse's mouth at 

 all as he gets up. In springing to his place, 

 he must draw up the body with the left hand, 

 keeping his right stiff as he raises himself 

 with it; for in mounting thus, he will not 

 look ungraceful even from behind. The leg 

 should be kept bent, the knee must not 

 touch the horse's back, and the calf must 

 be brought clean over to the off side. After 

 having brought his foot completely round, he 

 is then to settle down in his seat on the 

 horse. I think it good that the horseman 

 should practise springing up from the off 

 side as well, on the chance that he may 

 happen to be leading his horse with the left 

 hand and holding his spear in his right. He 

 has only to learn to do with the left what 

 he did before with the right, and with the 

 right what he did with the left. Another 

 reason why I approve of the latter method 

 of mounting is that the moment he is on 

 horseback the rider would be completely 

 ready, if he should have to engage the enemy 

 all of a sudden. 



When the rider takes his seat, whether 



