36 THE MIND OF THE HORSE 



fear. He trembles ou perceiving the odour of wild 

 beasts. From all these signs, if they have been stu- 

 died, it is possible to understand what the horse 

 thinks and foresee what he may desire to do, and 

 prevent it. 



Signs of a desire to perform certain movements 



inferred from his attitudes 



and the positions he assumes. 



For making all his movements he first needs 

 to prepare his body by adoj^ting suitable positions. 

 Therefore on seeing him take up a given preparatory 

 position, corresponding to a certain given action it 

 is possible to infer the movement he desires to make. 

 When standing firmly with body upright and not 

 inclined in any direction and with all four legs 

 equally straight he cannot move them. If he desires 

 to paw with one leg he inclines his body to the 

 other side and backwards. When he desires to kick 

 he inclines his bodv very much forward and throws 

 the weight of his body on the fore legs so as to 



