214 HOW OBEDIENCE IS TAUGHT 



forehand, is much more couveuieiit to him. It is 

 our duty to give him invstruction by such gradation 

 that this inconvenience be reduced to the minimum 

 and he shoukl be recompensed by caresses and good 

 treatment. Thus he is given tlie least possible occa- 

 sion for oppositions and reactions. 



It is natural tliat lie should resist and that he 

 should react in order to try to avoid being forced 

 and compelled to perform the actions w^e desire. 

 It lies with us to avoid his reactions by approaching 

 him and standing at his side near the shoulder 

 maintaining this position in all the moAcments lie 

 makes, and giving him instruction under the gui- 

 dance of two or three lounges. In the beginning 

 we are very likely to have oppositions and reac- 

 tions from the new horse becanse he has been pro- 

 bably ill-treated or treated in an unreasonable wav, 

 and he has learnt to oppose and react. He will 

 soon cease otfering oppositions and reactions if 

 well-treated and not punished, because he will see 

 that there is no motive for making reactions when 

 he is treated well and will acquire trust and conli- 

 dence in us. 



