338 COMMENTARIES ON BAUCHER. 



there is no question of fine equitation, for he cannot bear the 

 rassemhler. We should simply require him to go forward, 

 and we should feel happy if we make him a passable hack. 



Baucher appears to me to be absolutely wrong in stating 

 that we should destroy the " instinctive forces '' of the horse, 

 and act only on the " transmitted forces." This theory is so 

 strange and so contrary to the nature of things, that I cannot 

 help thinking that the expression used by Baucher incorrectly 

 translated his thoughts. 



The " instinctive forces " are apparently the natural forces, 

 or muscular power. If it is destroyed, what remains? 

 What are the "transmitted forces'' of which Baucher talks? 

 Whence do they come ? We can transmit an electric current 

 or a moral effect, but to transmit a force we must, first of all, 

 produce it, and we know that the rider should not display 

 force, because he ought always to remain supple ; and even 

 if he displayed force, it would be insignificant as compared 

 to that of the horse. 



What means can the rider employ? He has only his legs 

 and hands.* 



Without doubt the legs awake the vigour of the horse when 

 they are well closed, but they do not add any force to 

 it. They simply stimulate him to put forth the energy he 

 possesses. 



The hands ought not to display force. If, in an excep- 

 tional case, they make an effort, its object will only be to 

 thwart that of the horse. They do not transmit force to him, 

 but more or less check his force. 



Supposing that two jockeys are finishing almost together, 

 and that their horses are equa.lly exhausted. If one of them is 

 very strong, he can, by displaying great energy of hands, legs 

 and whip, appear to communicate the force of propulsion to 



* The legs are "aids" of impulsion; the hands, "aids" of retention and 

 direction. 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



