HOW OBEDIENCE IS TAUGHT 219 



only, that lie is the stronger and can oppose and 

 overcome us. He should never be opposed, and it 

 should never be sought to prevent him performing 

 an action he desires if we are not favourably placed 

 and do not possess means and strength sufficient 

 for success. Our requiring from the horse that he 

 should not perform an action and the horse succeed- 

 ing in performing it teaches him that he can 

 obey his impulse against our will, it makes him 

 understand his own strength, it teaches him to 

 have no respect for us, not to esteem us, and to 

 disobey us. It should not be required that he should 

 perform actions which from want of preparation 

 of his body he cannot perform without experiencing 

 pain. Nothing should be required which we have 

 not the power to compel him to do. His anger should 

 not be excited by our losing patience and inflicting 

 ill-timed punishments. He should not be allowed 

 to acquire the habit of doing things which are 

 not good for us or which are not desired. He should 

 not be required to do what is against his nature 

 as for instance to stand still when at liberty in 

 the open. 



