42 XENOPHON ON HORSEMANSHIP. 



his hand the greatest power. As for reins, I 

 recommend such as are alike, not weak nor 

 slippery and not thick either, so that if 

 necessary the hand may hold the spear as 

 well. 



When the horse gets the signal to start, let 

 him begin at a walk, for this frets him least. 

 If the horse carries his head low, hold the 

 reins with the hands a bit high ; if he carries 

 it somewhat high, then rather low: this 

 would make the most graceful appearance. 

 Next, by taking the true trot the horse would 

 relax his body with the least discomfort, and 

 come with the greatest ease into the hand 

 gallop. And as leading with the left is the 

 more approved way, this lead would best be 

 reached if the signal to gallop should be 

 given the horse at the moment when he is 

 rising with his right in the trot; for, being 

 about to raise his left foot next, he would 

 lead with it and would begin the stride as he 

 comes over to the left, — for the horse in- 

 stinctively leads with the right on turning 

 to the right, and with the left on turning to 

 the left.43 



I recommend the exercise known as the 



