48 XENOPHON ON HORSEMANSHIP. 



short. The horse is apt to disHke'''' this 

 less than riding ahvays in the same places 

 and over the same distance. The rider 

 must have a firm seat when going at full 

 speed over all sorts of ground, and must also 

 be able to use his weapons well on horse- 

 back. Hence there is nothing to be said 

 against the practice of riding in the hunt, 

 where there is a suitable country with wild 

 animals ; ^^ but where these are not to be had, 

 it is good training for two riders to arrange 

 together, one to fly from the other on horse- 

 back over all sorts of ground, wheeling about 

 with his spear and retreating again, while the 

 other pursues with buttons on his javelins 

 and on his spear. Whenever he gets within 

 javelin-shot, he is to hurl his button-tipped 

 javelins at the runner, and to strike him with 

 his spear when he overtakes him within strik- 

 ing distance. If they come to close quarters, 

 it is well for one to pull his adversary towards 

 him and then to thrust him back all of a sud- 

 den ; this is the way to unhorse him. But 

 the proper thing for the man who is being 

 pulled to do, is to urge his horse forward; 

 for by so doing, he will be more likely to 



