26 THE MIND OF THE HORSE 



When he desires to carry out any action due 

 to his own will there is usually a brief interyal 

 between the conception of the idea of performing 

 this action and the act of yolition which results 

 in its execution. This interyal allows us, by ayail- 

 in»' ourselyes of suitable means with the necessary 

 promptness, to preyent the execution of the action 

 he had the idea of carryine; out. 



Usually Avhen on horseback it is possible to 

 preyent \\\^ execution of an idea conceiyed only 

 in a trained horse, as the trained, i. e. obedient 

 liorse is n<^t so decided in carryine: out actions dae 

 to his own Avill as the untrained horse and leayes 

 a greater interyal between the conception of the 

 itlea, and its execution, because \\\q trained horse 

 has learned to obey the aids of the liand and the 

 aids and punishments for exciting liim to motion 

 which are effectiye in preyenting the execution of 

 the idea by causing him to adyance, and not allow- 

 ing him tlic time to take up the necessary posi- 

 tion preparat(^ry to the action. 



The horse is master of liis limbs and if we 

 desire that he should put them in motion accord- 



