Reflections on Equestrian art
Translated by Phyllis Field, J.A Allen, London
One of te key point of my preliminary instruction is the entire relaxation of the pupil's legs. As for the hands, the first care of a riding teacher must be to impress on the mind of the rider that the mouth of the horse is sensitive, and that to pull or take up continuously on the reins is useless except to tire the rider, and make the horse insensitive to a degree which stiffens him, and eventually makes him almost impossible to stop.
(...)
Only the rider who is free from any contraction will have a horse equally free from contraction. A team such as this is the ideal.
Students of dressage must be taught to use their hands and legs in proper fashion, but above all, they must be taught to use their head rationally when an equestrian problem arises.
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There are all sorts of tact in the equestrian field ; that of the hands, that of the legs, that of the seat, and quite simply, the tact of the head.
The talented rider who is tactful will reward the slightest indication of obedience on the part of his horse, who will then respond calmly, confidently and pleasurably to any further demand. The true horseman should put into practise these words of Captain Beudant's : "Ask for much, be content with little, and reward often".
A horse will never tire of a rider who possesses both tact and sensitivity because he will never be pushed beyond his possibilities.
The horse's neck, it's placing and the shoulder-in
(...) The schooling of the horse consists of a consecutive series of exercice in which, being sure of geometrical precision, the horse is placed in the right position to execute them. He must be placed correctly and left alone so that he can succeed. Once he is properly positioned, it is not desirable to continue giving the aids which direct the exercise, but merely to use those necessary to intervene in controlling the action.
(...)
When well executed, the shoulder-in gives great results as it eases, positions and straightens the horse.
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It is essential to make the position and attitude of the neck in accordance with the hindquarters.
In the horse's training all the horse's spinal column is worked from between the ears to the tail's base.
If, because of a lack of proper gymnastics, the hindlegs are not prepared for the support of a raised head and neck, all the training will be compromised. All naturalness in the gaits will be lost and dismounted flexions necessarily must be practised with the horse standing still.
Relaxing the hands and the leg pressure - Descente de main et des jambes.
The horse having been collected, and having grown proud, while staying energetic and supple, the rider should then stop all action. The horse himself will make his rider release the hands and the leg pressure.
Mobility and the lightening of the horse
The difficulty in dressage training is the mobilisation of the horse, a gymnastic exercice which must be done in an ordered manner, without haste, as otherwise it results in nothing.
If theses gymnastics are done methodically, without haste, a great degree of mobility may be obtained ; a mobility which will bring impulsion and lightness in its wake.
Afterwards, the rest is simple.