Bibliothèque mondiale du cheval

« The author’s introduction to his Method of Horsemanship is omitted in this edition, because it contains much that would be uninteresting to the American reader. It mentions the great difficulties he had in attracting the attention of the public to his system, and the complete success with which it was crowned when once this attention was attracted. One paragraph from it, which contains the principle upon which his whole method is founded, is here given :
« However favored by nature the horse may be, he requires a preparatory exercise to enable his forces to afford each other mutual assistance; without this everything becomes mechanical and hazardous, as well on his part as on that of the rider. [...] What musician could draw melodious sounds from an instrument without having exercised his fingers in handling it ? He would certainly, if he attempted such a thing, produce only false discordant sounds; and the same thing occurs in horsemanship when we undertake to make a horse execute movements for which he has not been prepared. »
M. Baucher presents the official documents upon the subject of the introduction of his method into the French army with the following introductory remarks : « Since the first publication of my method, indisputable facts have attested the truth of the principles therein contained. Field-Marshal the Minister of War has appointed acommission, presided over by Lieutenant-General the Marquis Oudinot, to examine into its advantages ^[1] "The commission was composed of Lieutenant-General Oudinot, Col. Carrelet, Commander of the Muaicipal Guard, the Chef d’Escadrons De Nov- ital, commanding the Cavalry Riding -School, and the Captain- instructors de- Gues, of tlie 5tli CuirasaierB, and De Mesanges, of the 3d Lancers." . »[...] » Présentation de l’éditeur (1852)