1.5
Having made sure that the horses are in good condition, the next business is to train the men. First they must learn to mount from the spring,A difficult feat, since the Greek rider had no stirrups. since many before now have owed their lives to that. Secondly, they must practise riding over all sorts of ground, since any kind of country may become the area of war.
1.6
As soon as they have acquired a firm seat, your next task is to take steps that as many as possible shall be able to throw the javelin when mountedWhen attacking infantry in line the cavalry never charged home; but only approached near enough to throw the javelin with effect. Hence the importance attached to an accomplishment by no means easy to perform without stirrups. See especially On Horsemanship chap. 12. and shall become efficient in all the details of horsemanship.
1.6
After that both horses and men must be armed, so that, while they are themselves thoroughly protected against wounds, they may have the means of inflicting the greatest loss on the enemy.
1.7
Then you must contrive to make the men obedient: otherwise neither good horses nor a firm seat nor fine armour are of any use.
1.7
For ensuring efficiency in all these matters the cavalry commander, as a matter of course, is the principal authority.
