On curing defects in horses

HORSES that bolt are helped by pulling out the longer hairs from their eyelashes and the hairs hanging down from their foreheads. The misbehaviour of backing is ended if a rough cord is made of horsehair and placed under the tail; when the rider pulls it this way and that with both hands like a rein, he will chafe the horse. This is called a tail bit, and is used only for remedying such a defect. ¹ It is very useful, too, for the steed to be thoroughly trained to swim carrying a rider in armour, where it is a matter of developing the promise of strength it gives, in flight or attack. ² This is the custom of dwellers in Scythia, especially in the lands around the Don, where the rivers are very wide and there are no bridges because of the waters’ changeable course or flooding from melted snows. Strabo has much to say about these matters towards the end of Bk VIII and in Bk XI. He writes also in Bk XVII of the great speed and agility of horses, and how, when trained, they follow their masters like dogs. ³ But I do not need to quote many instances from foreign lands. It is a common occurrence in the northern countries even for young horses, when they are robust and fit for war, to be trained and led to the battlefield in such a way that they know their rider and follow him without guidance, standing with him when he stands and running when he runs. ⁴ Yet their masters’ lack of concern is kept within bounds and they continue holding the reins in case wolves should come racing suddenly from where they lie in wait. If the horses make off, the riders may be snapped up for food, or something similar may happen if they come across wolves on open ice.