84 CAVALRY HORSEMANSHIP 



There is, moreover, in the mind of the horse a 

 sort of daily process of incubation, which we cannot 

 perceive, and in consequence of which we see suddenly 

 appear the position or movement we were trying to 

 get, and which, but the day before, we despaired of 

 obtaining. 



The psychology of training — Influence of character 

 and conformation. — The mental constitution of the 

 horse has also a considerable influence on his 

 education. It is, therefore, necessary to study it 

 and turn it to account. 



Its characteristic is the memory. This quality 

 assists the training w^hen one knows how to turn it to 

 account. On the other hand, it makes mistakes 

 dangerous ; nothing is more difficult than to retrain 

 a horse, that is to say, to make him forget his wrong 

 lessons. 



Aptitudes vary in animals, as also the degree of 

 intelligence. Some understand at once what is re- 

 quired of them, thoroughbred horses especially, 

 whilst others are very dull witted. 



The horse is as a rule kind ; he understands kind 

 treatment, the tone of voice, and caresses. Blows do 

 not bring him to reason, they only make him irritable 

 and timid. 



He is capable of attention and of reflexion, because 

 he often executes better next day movements which 

 the day before he attempted with difficulty. He has 

 a strong inclination to imitate, and it is on this aptitude 

 that the utility of the leading horse is based. 



He is patient, but his patience is limited, and one 

 of the greatest difficulties is to understand the limit 

 to place on one's demands during each period of 

 training. Notwithstanding the slight development of 



