From Méthode d'équitation

I had lived in Berlin for a few months ; i saw the practise of german riding in its all extent. I don’t want to be bold enough as to critizise ; i just want to say that the principles that are being taught in Prussia are completely opposite to the ones I am teaching : thus, few officers that have quite an establishment in their country were telling me : We want that our horses stay before the hand ; and me, was I answering, I want them to be behind the hand and before the legs ; it is only under this condition that the horse would be entirely submitted to his rider ; his movements will become gracious and regular, he will be able to shift easily from a fast pace to a slow pace, while staying in balance ; because, was I saying, every horse that is before the hand is behind the legs, so he is running away from you in every directions, what takes off any grace and regularity in the movements.