|
The excerpt represents the core issue or deciding factor on which you must meditate, and is drawn from On Horsemanship by Xenophon: never to approach him angrily. Anger is so devoid of forethought that
it will often drive a man to do things which in a calmer mood he will
regret.[9] Thus, when a horse is shy of any object and refuses to
approach it, you must teach him that there is nothing to be alarmed
at, particularly if he be a plucky animal;[10] or, failing that, touch
the formidable object yourself, and then gently lead the horse up to
it. The opposite plan of forcing the frightened creature by blows only
intensifies its fear, the horse mentally associating the pain he
suffers at such a moment with the object of suspicion, which he
naturally regards as its cause.
[9] Cf. "Hell." v. iii. 7 for this maxim.
On Horsemanship |
