bit at once; and so throughout, as we never cease repeating, at
every response to your wishes, whenever and wherever the animal performs
his service well, (9) reward and humour him. Thus, when the rider
perceives that the horse takes a pleasure in the high arching and
supple play of his neck, let him seize the instant not to impose severe
exertion on him, like a taskmaster, but rather to caress and coax
him, as if anxious to give him a rest. In this way the horse will be
encouraged and fall into a rapid pace.

(8) i.e. "the ends of the axles (at the point of junction) which work
into each other are broad and smooth, so as to play freely at the
join."

(9) "Behaves compliantly."

That a horse takes pleasure in swift movement, may be shown
conclusively. As soon as he has got his liberty, he sets off at a
trot or gallop, never at a walking pace; so natural and instinctive a
pleasure does this action afford him, if he is not forced to perform
it to excess; since it is true of horse and man alike that nothing is
pleasant if carried to excess. (10)

(10) L. Dind. cf. Eur. "Med." 128, {ta de' uperballont oudena kairon}.

But now suppose he has attained to the grand style when ridden--we have
accustomed him of course in his first exercise to wheel and fall into
a canter simultaneously; assuming then, he has got that lesson well
by heart, if the rider pulls him up with the bit while simultaneously
giving him one of the signals to be off, the horse, galled on the one
hand by the bit, and on the other collecting himself in obedience to the
signal "off," will throw forward his chest and raise his legs aloft with
fiery spirit; though not indeed with suppleness, for the supple play
of the limbs ceases as soon as the horse feels annoyance. But now,
supposing when his fire is thus enkindled (11) you give him the rein,
the effect is instantaneous. Under the pleasurable sense of freedom,
thanks to the relaxation of the bit, with stately bearing and legs
pliantly moving he dashes forward in his pride, in every respect
imitating the airs and graces of a horse approaching other horses.
Listen to the epithets with which spectators will describe the type of
horse: the noble animal! and what willingness to work, what paces, (12)
what a spirit and what mettle; how proudly he bears himself (13)--a joy
at once, and yet a terror to behold.

(11) Cf. "Hell." V. iv. 46, "kindled into new life."

(12) {ipposten}, "a true soldier'