The intelligence of horses is beyond description. In the circus races given during the secular games of the emperor Claudius, when Corax, charioteer of the White faction, was tossed out in the starting gate, they took first place, held it, knocking opponents aside, doing all the things that they ought to do against their rivals when driven by an experienced charioteer, and, as they were embarrassed that human wisdom was defeated by horses, when they had finished the whole race, they stopped at the white chalk line. There was a greater portent amongst the ancient when a charioteer was thrown in the plebeian circus games, and, just as if he stood there, the horses ran up to the Capitoline and ran three times around the temple. The Sarmatians prepare their horses for a long journey by not feeding them the day before, and only giving them a small amount of water, and so ride them for 150 miles without stopping.
Some horses live to be fifty, though mares live less long.
Mares also reach their full size at five, stallions a year later. The best appearance of a hose has been beautifully described by the poet Virgil, and I have dealt with it in my Throwing the Javelin from Horseback , and I observe that there is universal agreement on this point. A different build is desired for circus horses, and, although many horses are broken at two, chariot racing does not accept them until they are five.