On Horsemanship

The other work by Xenophon on horsemanship is Ἱππαρχικὸς, hipparchikos, usually known as Hipparchicus, or The cavalry commander.

Xenophon first makes a point to say that the reader should not waste his time nor endanger his health[8] by personally breaking colts.

The groom should stroke or scratch the colt, so that he enjoys human company, and should take the young horse through crowds to accustom him to different sights and noises.

If the horse is intended as a war-mount, he should be jumped over ditches, walls, and on and off high banks, and should also be galloped up and down steep inclines.

Xenophon believed that if the horse scattered his food he was showing symptoms of too much blood, and was in need of veterinary care, that he was over-fatigued, and required rest, or that he suffered from indigestion or some other sickness.

However, the back of the horse should not be touched with a brush, but the groom should use only his hand to clean it, in the direction of the hair's growth, so that the area where the rider sits is not injured.

He should avoid approaching the head or tail straight on, as the horse can easily overpower him by rearing or kicking.

Therefore, it is best to lead the horse from the side, as there he will be most controllable and it is the easiest place for him to be quickly mounted should the need arise.

With his right hand he should grasp the reins, along with a small lock of mane so that he does not hit the horse in the mouth when he mounts.

The rider's body above his hips should be supple, as he will be able to move more easily when fighting and will be less likely to be unseated if he is shoved.

The left arm of the rider should be held against his side, giving him the greatest freedom and the firmest hold of the reins.

The horse should stand quietly once the rider mounts and as he adjusts his rein length or grip on the spear.

He also describes an ovular pattern, with a wheeling performed on the turns and galloping on the straight sections.

However, he notes that on the curve the horse should be slowed, as it is unsafe to make a tight turn at high speeds, especially when the footing is slippery.

In this section, Xenophon outlines advanced training exercises for the war-horse, including jumping and cross-country riding.

The master should cross the obstacle first, and then pull the leading rein tight to encourage the horse to follow.

Xenophon mentions that the horse will not only clear the obstacle, but will overjump it, and will thereafter not require a switch to entice him to jump but simply the sight of someone coming behind him.

When pulling the horse up, the rider should lean back, which will lessen the shock of the sudden change in speed.

Xenophon also suggests the rider loosen the reins and grab the mane when jumping a ditch or climbing an incline, so that he does not pull the horse in the mouth.

As an exercise for the rider to improve his seat at the gallop over all terrain, Xenophon suggests hunting on horseback.

Xenophon ends this section by reiterating the fact that the master should show kindness to the horse, and punish him only when he is disobedient.

After mounting, the rider should sit quietly for a longer period than usual, and only ask the horse to move off with the slightest of aids.

The master should never approach a spirited horse in excitement, and should avoid bringing things toward the animal that frighten it.

Then, when he is ridden in the milder bit, he will be grateful for its smoothness, and will perform all his movements with greater happiness and exuberance.

Xenophon goes on to describe a flexible bit as one with broad and smooth junctions, which bend easily, and with several parts fitted around the axles that are not closely packed.

At the instant where the horse raises his neck to the pull, the rider should give the bit and lighten the pressure as a reward.

The horse will then be able to place his hindquarters under, and when pulled up with the bit he will lower himself onto his hocks and raise his front end so that his whole belly down to his sheath may be seen.

To do this, Xenophon says, for example, gallop the horse hard until he begins to prance and show his airs, at which time the rider should at once dismount and remove the bit.

If it brings out the fire and spirit of the neighing and snorting animals, the whole company will be a thrilling spectacle.

In the final section of his treatise, Xenophon describes the equipment for both the horse and the rider when riding into battle.