HOW THE HORSE LEARNS 87 



never be made to prevent what he wishes to do if 

 we are not in a position and have not the means 

 of absolutely preventing it. 



If owing to the time or place or other circum- 

 stances we are not in a position or we doubt being 

 able to overcome him, it is better to let him have 

 his own way than to allow him to see that he over- 

 comes us. This is the reason why he should be 

 ridden out of the riding school only when he is in 

 an obedient frame of mind and can be dominated. 



His having been able to perform an action of 

 his own will against the will of man which op- 

 posed him and was unable to prevent it is the worst 

 of the associations which can be given to the horse. 

 Saying no, and yet allowing them to do the thing 

 forbidden is in the case of children and men an 

 incitement to do what is prohibited. Nearly all the 

 rebellious acts of the horse arise from his having 

 acquired the experience of being able to act in spite 

 of the opposition of man. 



If a horse has by his own desire turned to go 

 to the stable and had not been prevented or could 

 not be prevented, no attempt should be made to 



