pains should be taken on the owner's part to see that the colt is gentle, tractable, and affectionate,[7] when delivered to the professional trainer. That is a condition of things which for the most part may be brought about at home and by the groom--if he knows how to let the animal connect[8] hunger and thirst and the annoyance of flies with solitude, whilst associating food and drink and escape from sources of irritation with the presence of man. As the result of this treatment, necessarily the young horse will acquire--not fondness merely, but an absolute craving for human beings. A good deal can be done by touching, stroking, patting those parts of the body which the creature likes to have so handled. These are the hairiest parts, or where, if there is anything annoying him, the horse can least of all apply relief himself.

[1] Or, "The training of the colt is a topic which, as it seems to us, may fairly be omitted, since those appointed for cavalry service in these states are persons who," etc. For reading see Courier, "Notes," p. 84.

[2] "Organisation in the several states."

[3] Or, "As a matter of fact it is the wealthiest members of the state, and those who have the largest stake in civic life, that are appointed to cavalry duties." See "Hippparch," i. 9.

[4] Cf. "Econ." iii. 10.

[5] {ego}. Hitherto the author has used the plural {emin} with which he started.

[6] Reading {upodeigmata}, "finger-post signs," as it were, or "draft in outline"; al. {upomnemata} = "memoranda."

[7] "Gentle, and accustomed to the hand, and fond of man."

[8] Lit. "if he knows how to provide that hunger and thirst, etc., should be felt by the colt in solitude, whilst food and drink, etc., come through help of man."

The groom should have standing orders to take his charge through crowds, and to make him familiar with all sorts of sights and noises; and if the colt shows sign of apprehension at them,[9] he must teach him--not by cruel, but by gentle handling--that they are not really formidable.

[9] Or, "is disposed to shy."

On this topic, then, of training,[10] the rules here given will, I think, suffice for any private individual.

[10] Or, "In reference to horsebreaking, the above remarks will perhaps be found sufficient for the practical guidance of an amateur."

III

To meet the case in which the object is to buy a horse already fit for riding, we will set down certain memoranda,[1] which, if applied intelligently, may save the purchaser from being cheated.

[1] "Which the purchaser should lay to heart, if he does not wish to be cheated."

First, then, let there be no mistake about the age. If the horse has lost his mark teeth,[2] not only will the purchaser's hopes be blighted, but he may find himself saddled for ever with a sorry bargain.[3]

[2] Or, "the milk teeth," i.e. is more than five years old. See Morgan, p. 126.

[3] Lit. "a horse that has lost his milk teeth cannot be said to gladden his owner's mind with hopes, and is not so easily disposed of."

Given that the fact of youth is well established, let there be no mistake about another matter: how does he take the bit into his mouth and the headstall[4] over his ears? There need be little ambiguity on this score, if the purchaser will see the bit inserted and again removed, under his eyes. Next, let it be carefully noted how the horse stands being mounted. Many horses are extremely loath to admit the approach of anything which, if once accepted, clearly means to them enforced exertion.

[4] {koruphaia}, part of the {khalinos} gear.

Another point to ascertain is whether the horse, when mounted, can be induced to leave other horses, or when being ridden past a group of horses standing, will not bolt off to join the company. Some horses again, as the result of bad training, will run away from the