7. training the war horse

As there are situations when the horse must climb up and down on steep ground, where it must jump over ditches or jump in and out, it is important for horse and rider to train all that. Only in this way both will help each other and will be thought altogether more efficient.

But if somebody thinks, we are repeating, because now we are talking about the same things like above, I want to point out that this chapter will be no repetition. For when in the beginning the horse was bought, we suggested to find out, whether he will be able to do such exercises. But here we are saying that one can teach his horse doing them, and want to give advice how to do so. For who has got a horse totally inexperienced in jumping must under releasing of the leading rope first jump over the ditch himself and then pull the horse, to make it jump. But if it does not want to jump a groom hit him with a stick or whip quite strong on his backside, and he will jump not only the full width but much more far over the ditch. In future one needs not strike any more, it will jump immediately just when seeing somebody come near behind him.

When the horse is used to jumping in this way, the rider shall lead him, also when mounted first to smaller, then also to bigger ditches. When he is to jump he shall touch him with the spur. One shall use the spur light, but sudden. The same he shall use the spur, when the horse shall learn to jump up or down. Because if the horse does so with the whole body then it will do so much more safe for himself and the rider, than when leaving the hind leg behind, either when jumping over ditches or upwards and downwards.

Going downhill, the rider must teach the horse first on soft ground. When he is used to it, he will run on entirely steep grounds. Some are afraid, the horses could hurt their shoulders, when running downhill, but I can reassure them. The Persians and Odryses are doing their races downhill, but their horses are not less healthy than those of the Greeks.

But we also do not want to omit, how the rider has to behave in all these cross-country exercises. When the horse suddenly jumps forward, he shall bow forward, so the horse will go down less, for when the horse stretches in gallop the back goes down, and this the more, if he has to bear weight. Then the rider will be less jolted. But when he is to stop quickly, he shall lean backwards, so he will be less jolted. When the horse jumps a ditch or riding up a hill, it is well to take hold of the mane, for not to burden and hinder the horse by ground and bridle at the same time. When going downhill the rider must lean far back and hold the horse back with the bridle for neither horse nor rider to fall down head over heels.

It is also recommended, to change location and duration of riding exercises often, this is also much more convenient to the horse, than doing always similar exercises at the same place.

As one should train on horseback in varying sorts of country in seat and usage of weapons, so it is especially recommended to practice hunting where game and suitable country is available. Wherever this cannot take place, it is a good training, when two riders meet for an exercise. One rider flees on his horse in some direction, reversing his spear. The other pursues, training the use of spear and javelins. When he comes close he throws the weapons, but when finally coming close enough for using the spear he tries to throw off the fugitive with the spear from horseback. When they are in infight it also works well to pull the adversary towards him and then suddenly push him back: a sure way to dismount him. For the man being pulled it is well, to drive his horse towards the other, for doing so he will rather push down the pulling one than get dismounted himself.

But when they also near the enemy ride against each other and pursuit the enemies until their lines, then flee back to the friendly phalanx, so one shall feeling save turn before reaching the first lines and ride again against the enemy with full power.

But on the other side when one is near the enemy it is better to control the horse well, for harming the enemy and suffering least damage.

The gods have given humans the word to teach each other, but it is clear that one cannot teach a horse by words. But when you reward the horse everytime he does something that he is expected to do, but punish him, when disobedient, then he will learn best to do his duty.

It is easy to state this in a few words, but it tells the whole art of riding. For he is more likely to take the bridle when one does something good to him afterwards. He will jump ditches and briefly do everything else more willingly, when he receives credit and rest after doing his job.

Translation and Copyright
by Stefan Welebny 2000, All Rights Reserved