The final item on your Blue Spur checklist is:
Read and demonstrate an understanding of Xenophon’s On Horsemanship.
Written around 300 BCE by Xenophon the Greek, On Horsemanship is the oldest known complete work on the care and training of riding horses. (There is an older Hittite treatise on conditioning chariot horses, and an incomplete text by Simon of Athens, to which Xenophon makes reference.) His other related book, The Cavalry General, is interesting from a historical perspective, but less useful to today's rider.
It is unsurprising how much of Xenophon's advice is usable today. After all, horses have changed far less than we have over the centuries. What is remarkable, however, is the gentleness of his methods compared to those that arose later time. He cautions to never deal with a horse in anger, and to avoid frightening or abusing him. It was not until the 17th century that riding masters began to soften their training methods again, and there are still areas of the equine world that could use more humane touch.
When you read Xenophon, note what we still practise today, and what has changed.
- What conformation does he look for?
- How does he recommend leading, grooming and mounting?
- What advice does he give for conditioning the horse?
- How should one deal with a spirited horse? A dull one?
Try reading it with a copy of The Manual of Horsemanship (our basic horsemanship text) at hand. You'll be surprised how much the texts correspond!
If you are interested in reading more historical texts, here are a few more:
- Antoine de Pluvinel, La Manège Royale, 1623
- William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Newcastle, A New Method and Extraordinary Invention to Dress Horses and Work them according to Nature, 1667
- François Robichon de la Guérinière, Manuel de Cavalerie, 1742, as well as Ècole de Cavalerie et al
Note that Guérinière is part of the required reading for your Red Spur, so by starting now you will be getting a leg up on your next level.
Mounted Combat 2016
Riding and Horsemanship classes begin January 31st, and Mounted Combat classes start the following week, February 7th. We will start the year with a Mounted Combat playday on January 31st as well. All classes take place at Red Colt Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, in Richmond.
Beginner Riding & Horsemanship
Sundays 31 January – 6 March, 10am – noon
cost: $300 + gst
Riding & Horsemanship Level 2
Sundays 31 January – 6 March, 10am – noon
cost: $300 + gst
Horsemanship Level 3-4
Sundays 31 January – 6 March, 10:30 – 11:30am
cost: $130 + gst
Riding Level 3+
Sundays 31 January – 6 March, noon – 1pm
cost: $200 + gst
Mounted Combat Playday
Sunday 31 January, 1:30 – 4:30pm
cost: $15 + $15 for use of school horse
Free for ground crew & spectators!
Intermediate Mounted Combat
Sundays 7 February – 6 March, 1pm – 3pm
cost: $160 + gst
Mounted Combat Fundamentals
Sundays 7 February – 6 March, 1:30 – 3pm
cost: $120 + gst
Jennifer Landels heads up Academie Duello's Cavaliere Program. She has been swordfighting since 2008, and riding since before she could walk. She started the program as an excuse to combine those passions. Read more from Jennifer Landels.