HOW THE HORSE LEARNS 131 



these aids did not act thus mechanically^ I do. 

 not know how the evolutions could be taught 

 him. In proportion as his body, with increased 

 instruction, becomes freer and more pliant, and 

 his motion improves, these aids produce greater 

 and more prompt eifect. 



After a certain amount of repetition these aids, 

 in addition to acting mechanically y act likewise as 

 mental, conventional or memorised aids, because he 

 remembers their effect. The horse who has seen 

 himself compelled several times by these aids to 

 assume given positions, and to make given move- 

 ments, on the same aids being repeated remem- 

 bers them, and prepares himself, assumes those 

 positions himself, and does of his own accord what 

 he has already understood he is required to do on 

 the first indication of these aids, not waiting for 

 their mechanical action. Owing to his memory, 

 the horse retains the effect produced on his body 

 by mechanical aids. 



Opposed by one rein, he is sent to the other 

 side, and this is a mechanical aid, but the horse 

 associates the idea of having been sent to the 



