To ride a-horseback is surely pleasanter than to trudge a-foot?
And as for speed--how pleasant to join a friend betimes whenever you wish, or come up with your quarry be it man or beast! And then, the ease and satisfaction of it! Whatever weapon the rider carries his horse must help to bear the load: 'wear arms' and 'bear arms,'-- they are the same thing on horseback.

[14] But now, to meet the worst we can apprehend: suppose, before we are adepts, we are called upon to run some risk, and then find that we are neither infantry nor thoroughgoing cavalry?
This may be a danger, but we can guard against it.

We have it always in our power to turn into infantry again at a moment's notice.

I do not propose that by learning to ride we should unlearn the arts of men on foot." [15] Thus spoke Cyrus, and Chrysantas rose to support him, saying: "For my part I cannot say I so much desire to be a horseman as flatter myself that once I can ride I shall be a sort of flying man.

[16] At present when I race I am quiet content if, with a fair start, I can beat one of my rivals by the head, or when I sight my game I am happy if, by laying legs to the ground, I can get close enough to let fly javelin or arrow before he is clean out of range.