HOW THE HORSE LEARNS 181 



nobleman of Pisa who was the first to study the 

 horse's mechanism made the same remark about 

 too much union as it much diminishes the pace. 

 What is wanted by the rider is that the horse 

 should go well and that he should be able to control 

 him. This was known to Xenophon as well as other 

 things which seem to be ignored nowadays. 



Imitation is a means of teaching. 



Imitation is performing the same action as 

 others perform, and arises from association of exam- 

 ple ; it is a better means than any other of teach- 

 ing and persuading a horse to go through an 

 action in case of fear or repugnance. The example 

 of another liorse going away from him gives him 

 the idea of imitating him, of following him. This 

 action is contributed to also, to a great extent, by 

 the idea of not wishing to be abandoned, aban- 

 donment being contrary to his instinct of loving 

 and seeking the companionship of other horses. 

 Seeing another horse pass or run in front invites 

 and incites him to follow, even if he at first had 



