, 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
exercising-ground and make for the stable. A hard mouth may be detected
by the exercise called the {pede} or volte, (5) and still more so by
varying the direction of the volte to right or left. Many horses will
not attempt to run away except for the concurrence of a bad mouth along
with an avenue of escape home. (6)

(5) See Sturz, s.v.; Pollux, i. 219. Al. "the longe," but the passage
below (vii. 14) is suggestive rather of the volte.

(6) Al. "will only attempt to bolt where the passage out towards home
combines, as it were, with a bad mouth." {e... ekphora} = "the
exit from the manege or riding school."

Another point which it is necessary to learn is, whether when let go at
full speed the horse can be pulled up (7) sharp and is willing to wheel
round in obedience to the rein.

(7) {analambanetai}, "come to the poise" (Morgan). For
{apostrephesthai} see ix.6; tech. "caracole."

It is also well to ascertain by experience if the horse you propose to
purchase will show equal docility in response to the whip. Every one
knows what a useless thing a servant is, or a body of troops, that will
not obey. A disobedient horse is not only useless, but may easily play
the part of an arrant traitor.

And since it is assumed that the horse to be purchased is intended for
war, we must widen our test to include everything which war itself can
bring to the proof: such as leaping ditches, scrambling over walls,
scaling up and springing off high banks. We must test his paces by
galloping him up and down steep pitches and sharp inclines and along a
slant. For each and