58 XENOPHON ON HORSEMANSHIP. 



not think of snatching up the bit against his 

 bars.54 



I will set down the definitions of flexible 

 and stiff bits, in case some reader may not 

 know them. The bit is flexible when the 

 joints are broad and smooth where they meet, 

 so that it bends easily; and all the pieces put 

 on round the joints are more likely to be 

 flexible if they are roomy and not tight. On 

 the contrary, if the different parts of the bit 

 do not run and play into each other easily, 

 the bit is a stiff one. 



Whatever the kind of bit, it must be used 

 according to the following rules, which are 

 in every case the same, provided that it is 

 desired to give a horse the look that has been 

 described. The horse's mouth must not be 

 checked too harshly, so that he will toss his 

 head, nor too gently for him to feel it. The 

 moment he acknowledges it and begins to 

 raise his neck, give him the bit. And in 

 everything else, as I have insisted over and 

 over again, the horse should be rewarded 

 as long as he behaves well. When you see a 

 horse show his pleasure by carrying his neck 

 high and yielding to the hand, there is no 



