me time be able to use his weapons with effect on horseback, nothing
could be better, where the country suits and there are wild animals,
than to practise horsemanship in combination with the chase. But when
these resources fail, a good exercise may be supplied in the combined
efforts of two horsemen. (9) One of them will play the part of fugitive,
retreating helter-skelter over every sort of ground, with lance reversed
and plying the butt end. The other pursues, with buttons on his javelins
and his lance similarly handled. (10) Whenever he comes within javelin
range he lets fly at the retreating foeman with his blunted missiles; or
whenever within spear thrust he deals the overtaken combatant a blow.
In coming to close quarters, it is a good plan first to drag the foeman
towards oneself, and then on a sudden to thrust him off; that is a
device to bring him to the ground. (11) The correct plan for the man so
dragged is to press his horse forward: by which action the man who is
being dragged is more likely to unhorse his assailant than to be brought
to the ground himself.

(9) {ippota}. A poetic word; "cavaliers."

(10) Or, "manipulated."

(11) Or, "that may be spoken off as the 'purl trick'"; "it will
unhorse him if anything."

If it ever happens that you have an enemy's camp in front, and cavalry
skirmishing is the order of the day (at one time charging the enemy
right up to the hostile battle-line, and again beating a retreat),
under these circumstances it is well to bear in mind that so long as the
skirmisher is close to his own party, (12) valour and discretion alike
dictate to wheel and charge in the vanguard might and main; but when he
finds himself in close proximity to the foe, he must keep his horse well
in hand. This, in all probability, will enable him to do the greatest
mischief to the enemy, and to receive least damage at his hands.

(12) See "Hipparch," viii. 23.

The gods have bestowed on man, indeed, the gift of teaching man his duty
by means of speech and reasoning, but the horse, it is obvious, is not
open to instruction by speech and reasoning. If you would have a horse
learn to perform his duty, your best plan will be, whenever he does
as you wish, to show him some kindness in return, and when he is
disobedient to chastise him. This principle, though capable of being
stated in a few words, is one which holds good throughout the whole of
horsemanship. As, for instance, a horse will more