THE DEFENSES OF THE HORSE 



this procedure has taught the horse that it can re- 

 fuse or obey as it pleases. Farther along in its ed- 

 ucation, the horse again becomes restive. The 

 rider follows the same course as before ; and getting 

 no better result than before, again passes over the 

 movement and takes up another. The horse is con- 

 firmed in the idea that it can obey or not obey as it 

 chooses. Do we not find exactly the same restive- 

 ness in a spoiled child? In the same way, the habit 

 of refusal spoils the horse. It becomes capricious. 

 When it chooses, it obeys. When it does not choose, 

 it disobeys. In short, it is restive. 



Punishment, in such a case, will have no result. 

 When the horse feels that the man who happens to 

 be riding him is strong enough to fight and compel 

 obedience, the horse will obey. But as soon as an- 

 other rider is on its back, the horse will again try 

 what it can do. 



I have had a great many horses sent me to be 

 cured of restiveness, and I have never been unsuc- 

 cessful. My only method is to start the training all 

 over again from the beginning, as if the animal were 

 absolutely green. Very soon, I reach the place where 

 the education has been slighted. I insist on the 

 neglected movement; and confirm the habit of obe- 

 dience to the special effects which secure this, until 

 the animal has learned to obey without fear of 

 punishment. By degrees, he learns that he is 

 better off to obey me than to be restive and be 

 punished. 



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