ON THE EDUCATION OF THE HORSE. 185 

 to bim while he is staUng, or evacuating his 

 urine. The sound of whisthng possesses in it- 

 self originally no particular stimulus on the uri- 

 nary passages ; but by whistling to a colt when 

 staling, and repeating it constantly upon that 

 occasion, such an associated action will in time 

 be produced on those parts, as to bring on the 

 propensity to discharge his urine whenever he 

 hears the whistle. If so great a controul on a 

 function naturally spontaneous can be obtained 

 by habit, it is evident that the same principle 

 will apply to the animal in the more essential 

 parts of his education. Thus, by firing a pistol 

 in the stable, and feeding the horse instantly 

 afterwards, and repeating this practice for a 

 short time, that which was originally the cause 

 of terror, will ultimately become the signal of 

 gratification. 



Analogous to this is the method by which 



they are taught to perform certain tricks with 



great dexterity. Admitting this plan of in- 



3 struction 



