War in Ancient India c7.s1.t4.62

c7.s1.t4.62

Arrian says: ‘The horsemen are equipped with two lances like the lances called Saunia and with a shorter buckler than that carried by the foot-soldiers. But they do not put saddle on their horses, nor do they curb them with bits like the bits in use among the Greeks or the Kelts but they fit on round the extremity of the horse’s mouth a circular piece of stitched raw ox-hide studded with pricks of iron or brass pointing inwards, but very sharp.’ There are also ivory pricks. The reins are connected with iron prongs in their mouths. It is practically this prong that keeps the animal in check. To this prong are connected the pricks, which have their own share in controlling these animals.⁸⁰