124 HOW THE HORSE LEARNS 



going through an action if we are not in a posi- 

 tion and under circumstances allowing us to compel 

 him, as being able to successfully resist us he 

 w^ould become aware of his superiority and our 

 inferiority. 



This is the reason w hy mastery should be obtain- 

 ed in the riding school. Here we can compel him, 

 whilst outside the horse is the master. Santapaulina 

 says that the edge of a precipice is not the place 

 to combat the fear of a horse. It is better to get 

 off and give it up. 



Actions, aids, j^^t^iisJitnents, and associations 



wliicli the liorse understands naturally, 



with whicJi may he associated the actions it is desired 



to teach him to perform, 



and by ichich these may he taught him. 



Just as with deaf mutes it is requisite to make 

 oneself understood by signs, so it is with the horse. 

 The things which he understands naturally, and 

 which he can understand on their being taught 

 him, are various signs, and such signs are our dif- 



