PREFACE 



When each and every movement of the horse in re- 

 sponse to its rider's signals is explained on mechan- 

 ical principles, then equitation is no longer an art. 

 It has become a science, and therefore invariable. 



The difference between my system of training 

 the horse and the systems of Baucher and Fillis 

 is, in part, that I have carried farther the science 

 as distinguished from the art. But besides this, 

 while Baucher and Fillis trained their horses for 

 the sake of executing the movements of the high 

 school, I employ these airs of the high school, not as 

 an end in themselves, but as a means for developing 

 the physical and mental qualities of the horse itself. 

 These masters specially chose the animals which 

 they were to train. I, by means of my system of 

 gymnastics, seek to improve and develop an ani- 

 mal of any original conformation that may be given 

 me. 



The purposes of this manual are, therefore, to ex- 

 plain the mechanical reason for every effect which 

 the rider exerts on the horse, and to set forth the 

 successive steps by which, practically, an actual 

 animal is to be trained and developed. Underlying 

 principles and theories are everywhere explained 

 with the greatest possible clearness. In spite of a 

 good deal of inevitable condensation, the methods 

 here set forth should prove perfectly easy both to 

 understand and to apply. 



H. L. DE BUSSIGNY 



Boston, May, 1921 



