Bibliothèque mondiale du cheval

« Since this book was put in the printer’s hands, I have been travelling on the Continent. Everywhere I found that Monsieur Baucher ’s new Méthode had excited much attention, and not a little jealousy, amongst the followers of the old system. Books and pamphlets have been published, trying to turn into ridicule the bold intruder who, in two months, brings his horses to do what years could not accomplish in the old school. In France, Baucher’s Methode was subjected to a trial, which, according to the reports of many members of the committee, was eminently successful. The system was rejected notwithstanding; but some of the bending lessons — the most important part of his Méthode were retained, and are now made use of in the French Cavalry. In what I have seen in the different foreign riding schools which I have visited, I have found no reason to change my opinion regarding the advantages to be derived from the application of part of Monsieur Baucher’s Méthode to the purposes of cavalry; and I have endeavoured to take from both systems what I found best in practice, namely, from the old system, the principle of first bringing out the horse’s action, improving his paces, giving power and freedom to his movements; and from Monsieur Baucher’s, those lessons which enable us to control that action, and thus regulate the horse’s paces, and render him handy and obedient. » Présentation de l’éditeur (1852)