The word "he" refers to the horse. The horse paws the ground because he is very excited to begin the fight. AT: "He paws with excitement." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
## paws ##
"digs at the ground with his hooves"
## mocks ##
"laughs at"
## dismayed ##
"terrified" or "afraid"
## turn back ##
"run away from"
## quiver ##
a container that holds arrows
## rattles ##
"shakes and makes noise"
## flank ##
the side of a horse
## javelin ##
a long stick with a sharp end that people throw at their enemies