ANCIENT HORSEBREAKING AND HORSEMANSHIP. 591 
III the processes of teaching, the horses were moved in circles, 
that they might be made supple, and ready to turn any way. 
The Parthians, in training their horses to go safely over rough 
ground, and lift their feet above opposing objects, disposed, on a 
spot about fifty paces long and five broad, in rows, boxes or 
coffers filled with chalk or clay. At first the horses used to trip 
and stumble, but, being taught by repetition to lift their feet 
higher and avoid the offending objects, they acquired a habit of 
bending their knees, and attending to their steps, sometimes 
shorter and sometimes longer, as the ground required, and thus 
were enabled to carry their rider in safety. But the Romans, if 
nature had not furnished the horses with a proud and lofty action, 
used to tie rollers of wood and weights to their pastern joints, to 
compel them to lift their feet; a practice particularly required to 
go safely, skilfully, and with ease to the rider in the amble. This 
was a favourite pace with the Romans, and it consisted, through 
tying the legs, in controlling the steps of the horse, so that he 
moved two legs on one side together, and the other two in the 
same manner. According to this account, the amble must have 
resembled a gentle canter. Trotting they abhorred, and horses fond 
of that pace they called even tormentors (cruciaiores), and tor¬ 
turers (tortoresj . 
To produce time and cadence in the steps of the horses, they 
were exercised by musical accompaniments; and books of horse- 
music are said to be still existent in Italy. Races were rode 
down hill in some nations ; and when the horse leaped over a 
ditch, the rider laid hold of the mane, that the bridle might not 
check him; and when going down a steep or declivity, he flung 
his body back, and supported the horse with the bridle, to pre¬ 
vent his falling headlong down the hill. 
They were taught also to kneel, that their riders, who had no 
stirrups, might mount them by jumping, a practice taught by 
means of wooden horses. They mounted on the off side, by 
holding the mane and the bridle in the hand. Plutarch men¬ 
tions colts that would practise figure-dances, and theatrical 
horses ; and Homer speaks of a/xCp/TTTro/, desultoreSy or persons 
that would leap from one horse to another. 
Wha<t seems singular is, that impetuous and fiery steeds were 
deemed unfit for war. The Greeks tried their horses by a bell, 
and other loud and sudden noises ; and by their behaviour under 
these circumstances judged of their temper and character. Such 
horses as were worn out, and unfit to serve with the troops, were 
turned out; and, as a mark of dismission, were branded on the 
j aw with the figure of a circle or a wheel. It was also usual with 
private people to mark their horses by branding into their flesh 
