556 ON THE EDUCATION OF THE HORSE. 
habitants), is observed to the present day, and will be, no 
doubt, to the end of time. With many of them he must for 
ever live estranged; their natures are opposed to his condition, 
their qualities are unsuitable to his wants: but with others he 
enters into association; he tames their dispositions, and bends 
their qualities to his own use. 
Nature endowed every animal with powers sufficient to enable 
him to enjoy the life to which she destined him, and to oppose 
or evade the enemies by which he would be surrounded: for 
this purpose she bestowed on each the formation most conducive 
to the end proposed, and added a directing principle called 
instinct. Every creature has its own peculiar instinct. It is 
this impelling principle that guides the eagle to fix her eyry on 
the summit of the lofty tree, whilst the lark, moved by the 
same irresistible inclination, places her humble dwelling on the 
ground. 
Instinct, as far as it goes, is superior to reason ; but it is for 
ever fixed—it has its precise limits, and cannot improve or vary 
its application to difference of circumstance: wherefore animals 
in a state of nature gain nothing by experience; but when once 
domesticated, and possessing the principle of imitation, which 
some of them do in an eminent degree, the minds which they 
possess become moulded into a different form. 
It is a matter of curious speculation, to consider how the 
instinct of animals grows weaker in proportion to their closer 
approximation towards mankind and their dwellings. The 
causes are sufficiently obvious. Nature, both liberal and frugal, 
always does enough to obtain her purpose, but resumes her 
gifts when no longer useful. Long slavery has so degraded 
the natures of some, that the primitive animal may be said to be 
lost, and degenerated beings are substituted in their places. 
Domestication produces different characters in animals, and, 
by their altered natures, affords to necessitous man his best 
blessings. The subjugation of the horse is, perhaps, the noblest 
acquisition from the animal world. His perception and natural 
talents are very acute; but when aided by instruction, the sagacity 
he discovers, and the actions he is taught to perform, often excite 
our wonder. 
Three modes of instruction have been found necessary for the 
perfecting of his education— punishment , reward , and imitation. 
The mind of the colt must be considered as a mere carte 
blanche ; and, as in the human subject, the future character will 
a great deal depend upon the sensations and impressions given 
to it in early life. 
“ As the twig is bent, the tree is inclined.” 
