HOW THE HORSE LEARNS 133 



given, the horse does it just the same because on 

 the first sign of the aid being given, although it 

 may be badly given, he understands immediately 

 or guesses immediately what he is to do. This shows 

 the difference between riding a trained horse and 

 instructing a horse the first time. 



The aids and punishments of the whip are 

 understood by him naturally, he knows their mean- 

 ing, which is to go away from them, to tlee them, 

 i. e. the action of going and of going in the direc- 

 tion opposite to that in which they are given. 

 They are also mental aids because they act upon 

 his mind by giving sensations of pain. 



The aids and punishments with the spurs are 

 not so clear. In many horses they excite reactions, 

 and to explain them it is necessary to associate 

 them with the Avhip aids, applying them together 

 in order to show that they are signals to advance, 

 that on giving them the spurs it is desired they 

 should go forward. 



The cavesson aids act meelianicaJly and mentally 

 and explain themselves. Their action is powerful 

 because it is exercised on the Irain, the seat of 

 intelligence and will. 



