BOOK VI. XXVII. 1-4 



into three classes. There is the noble stock which 

 supplies horses for the circus and the Sacred Games ; 

 then there is the stock used for breeding mules 

 which in the price which its offspring fetches is a 

 match for the noble breed ; and there is the common 

 breed which produces ordinary mares and horses. 

 The more excellent each class is, the richer must be 2 

 the pasturage assigned to it. The feeding-grounds 

 chosen for herds of horses must be spacious and 

 marshy, mountainous, well-watered and never 

 diy, empty rather than encumbered by many tree- 

 trunks, and producing an abundance of soft rather 

 than tall grass. The stallions and mares of the 3 

 common stock are allowed to be pastured every- 

 where together, and no fixed seasons are observed 

 for breeding. The stallions of the noble stock will 

 be put to the mares about the time of the spring 

 equinox, so that the mares may be able to rear their 

 offspring with little trouble, when the pasture is rich 

 and grassy, at the same season a year later as that 

 at which they conceived them ; for they give birth 

 to their young in the twelfth month. The greatest 

 care, therefore, must be taken that at the said time of 

 year every opportunity is given equally to mares as to 

 their stallions to couple if they desire to do so, because, 

 if you prevent them from doing so, horses beyond all 

 animals are excited by the fury of their lust. (Hence 

 the term " horse-madness " is given to the poison 

 which kindles in human beings a passion like the 

 desire in horses.) Indeed, in some regions, there is 4 

 no doubt that the mares are affected by such a 

 burning desire for intercourse, that, even though 



" duodecimo o : duodecima 8 A. 



191 



