160 HOW THE HORSE LEARNS 



tlie action whicli it is intended to make him go 

 through. 



In order to make him change hand when led 

 by the lounge we cause him to slacken his pace 

 and shorten the lounge folding it up, then we pull 

 him towards the centre, and in doing so we our- 

 selves go back. The horse which has observed all 

 these things, on the first motion made with the 

 arms to fold up the lounge has immediately under- 

 stood that it is desired to make him change, and 

 he comes to the centre to change without waiting 

 for other signs or aids. 



On horseback his being made to go througli 

 an action is preceded by the various preparatory 

 aids, and the rider, when he has conceived the idea 

 of putting him through an action, unknowingly 

 prepares himself to give him the required aids by 

 making special motions with his body, or gives 

 the first aid by habit without noticing that he does 

 so. The horse which is attentive has understood 

 from these special motions or from the first aid 

 inadvertently given what his rider desires, and 

 does it without waiting for the other aids. 



