On Horsemanship

By: Xenophon

Narrated by: Holly Brienne

On Horsemanship, also sometimes titled The Art of Horsemanship, is a treatise written about 350 BCE by the Athenian historian, soldier, and student of Socrates, Xenophon (c. 430-354 BC). The treatise is a "hands-on" manual which deals with the selection, care, and training of horses in general.

Chapter titles include: Selecting a Young Horse, Breaking the Colt, Selecting an Older Horse, Caring for the Horse, Grooming the Horse, Training, Creating a Showy Horse, Grooming and Bridling the Horse Correctly, Safe Mounting, and The Rider's Position. Xenophon’s work is one of the earliest surviving texts on horse training.

Public Domain (P)2019 Museum Audiobooks

classic treatise on mideaval equestrian training

The narration was quick, upbeat. The treatise, I think, was meant to be an introductory manual for the selection and use of a war horse. Additional thoughts on how to train a horse to show off flashiness of movement, ie presence, in a show competition. Sound thoughts, ie give a reward for desired behavior, don't tire your horse in an effort to relax it, etc. Ahead of its time, should be read by all budding equestrians.

Classic How To

Everyone should know this book. We should only stop if the tasks leaves the horse better off