
Dressage Book
An Influential Horse Riding Book
A dressage book published as long ago as 1733 influences dressage riding even today. The classical principles it describes are still used by The Spanish Riding School of Vienna and the Cadre Noir of Saumur in France.
Its French title is “Ecole de Cavalerie” or “School of Horsemanship,” written by François Robichon de la Guérinière.
The Man
Guérinière was born around 1688 and during his lifetime riding was an essential part of every nobleman’s education. Unlike the beginner to horseback riding today, who rides for pleasure, court members had to ride well for both social and military purposes.
After mastering the basics, they then went on to learn advanced riding at a nobleman’s academy. This included such difficult movements as the piaffe and passage, which today are only for the highest level dressage rider.
Guérinière opened his own riding academy in Paris when he was granted the title of Ecuyer in 1715. The translation of this title is ‘equerry’ meaning a member of the royal household entrusted with the care of the monarch’s horses. In those days this was a very coveted position.
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Guérinière’s reputation as a horseman grew, and he was made director of the Académie des Tuileries in Paris in 1730. His fame continued to spread throughout Europe thanks to his book.
The Dressage Book
Guérinière was a strong believer in humane training practices. He advocated the use of gentleness, following the ideals of Xenophon (430-354 BC) and of another famous French horseman, Antoine de Pluvinel (1555-1620).
He dedicated himself to introducing the ideals of intelligence and kindness to classical dressage, and he achieved this through the wide circulation of his horse dressage book.
Some Methods and Terms
It’s interesting to note that Guérinière talks about holding the reins in one or two hands, which is now a big distinction between English and Western riding. However, riding with one hand would have been necessary to keep the sword hand free.
Although the parts of the bridle are the same as today, there are some interesting bit types mentioned. For example, the pigeon-throat, trumpet cannon and ass-step.
He mentions that to fatten a thin horse one must give him ‘green meat.’ Since meat is poisonous to horses, it’s good to know this refers to newly cut grass or fresh produce such as carrots and apples! Although, these days we avoid giving horses newly cut grass.
‘School of Horsemanship’ gives a fascinating insight into the life of the horse during the centuries when that noble animal was so vital to everyday existence, and still contains useful information for today’s rider.
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