Purchase a Trained Horse

Guidelines for the Purchase of a Trained Horse:

This chapter deals with the desirable traits and skills of a trained horse, should the reader prefer to purchase an adult animal instead of a foal. Just as a prospective horse owner must do today, the buyer should confirm the age of the animal, something that can be done by examining the state of its teeth, and should examine its overall health and soundness.

Xenophon recommends that the horse be handled and ridden in several ways before purchase in order to determine its temperament and its level of training.

In this chapter, one is left with the impression that a prospective buyer could indeed try the horse before making the purchase, as Xenophon outlines several exercises with which the buyer can test the animal's fitness and training.

He also reminds the reader that horses who have not been trained to do certain activities, or who are sound but not as fit as the buyer might like can be trained to fulfill their prospective owner's desires.

The buyer is also left with a warning against the skittish or lazy horse and the trouble that such animals can cause.