188 HOW THE HORSE LEARNS 



acquire the habit of executing the movements. 

 Therefore the horse' s training requires a certain 

 time and cannot be completed in a few days. Dai- 

 ly repetition of the actions learnt is further neces- 

 sary with a view to maintaining the ability of the 

 body for good and prompt execution. A musical 

 performer or a fencing master who remains for 

 some days without practice loses something of the 

 excellence he had attained. 



Hoiv to malte the horse forget the actions 

 taught hy had associations. 



Just as repetition and time are required to 

 teach liim the actions we desire should be perfor- 

 med, and to create the habit of perfoi-ming them, 

 in the same way repeated prevention is required 

 and time to make him forget the habit of perfor- 

 ming actions which are not desired when once he 

 has acquired it. In the horse which has acquired 

 the habit of carrying out some undesired action 

 or act of revolt against the rider this habit must 

 be broken, and by constant repetitions of the con- 



