Forgotten Horsemen
Forgotten Horsemen - Francois Baucher
I often wonder how many modern-day horsemen truly understand and appreciate the contributions of the very first horseman who recognized the importance of developing flexibility in the neck muscles of horses. My father always impressed upon me the notion that, “Russ, you have to read books; knowledge is invaluable, and it is indeed a treasure for humanity.” Authors dedicate countless hours of hard work to produce these literary works, and they serve as repositories of their own experiences and insights. These books hold a rich history that encompasses wisdom and techniques that have long been forgotten by many. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had access to a substantial library, a welcoming space where one could sit comfortably, read extensively, and immerse oneself in learning about a wide array of subjects and interests.
I am certain that you have discovered, through your searches on Google and YouTube, that this approach did not consistently provide you with clear answers to your questions. More often than not, it may have left you feeling even more confused, as you did not receive all of the detailed information you were genuinely seeking. Instead, you often encountered advertisements and various other content that advertisers have strategically placed to capture your attention, rather than information tailored to fully address your inquiries.
History has regrettably been long forgotten, and along with this unfortunate trend, it is truly sad that many exceptional horsemen have also faded into obscurity. These pioneering horsemen dedicated countless hours to honing their skills and developing their innovative methods, all in an effort to ensure that we could succeed and achieve greater performance with our horses today. Their contributions serve as a foundation upon which modern horsemanship stands, and it is essential that we honor their legacy.
I have been very fortunate to have in my possession a remarkable book that is titled “Riding Principles,” authored by the esteemed James Fellis. James Fellis was born on December 27th, 1834, and he made his mark as a distinguished dressage rider as well as a devoted student of the renowned Francois Baucher. It was James Fellis who skillfully further developed Francois Baucher’s innovative methods in 1890, advancing the discipline significantly. He later gained recognition within the dressage riding community and became widely known across the globe among many devoted horse enthusiasts. Remarkably, his methods are still in active use today, alongside his comprehensive principles and approaches to horse education, demonstrating their lasting influence in the equestrian world.
It is truly unfortunate that so many individuals are unaware of his name or even the names of his esteemed master educators. However, in reality, long before the renowned James Fellis came onto the scene, there existed many other remarkable horsemen from France who played a significant role in developing the style of dressage riding along with the methods associated with it. The term "dressage" itself is derived from the French language, and it translates to mean "trained beyond," reflecting the intricate skill and dedication required in this art form.
In this book that I read, equestrian expert Francois Baucher focused entirely on the intricate process of training horses specifically within an indoor arena setting. He rigorously tested his innovative methods there to gain a deeper understanding of the horse's mechanics and aimed to create what he intriguingly referred to as the "trained beyond" horse. By thoroughly grasping both the mental and physical abilities of horses, he meticulously refined his training techniques to enhance their performance. However, it is quite interesting to note that despite his extensive expertise and knowledge, he found himself unable to ride his horses outside the controlled environment of the arena or even on scenic trails because he dedicated all his time exclusively to training in that confined space.
What I have learned from this insightful book is that the very first horseman who truly designed the flexibility of the neck muscle in horses was actually Francois Baucher. It is fascinating to consider that there may have been many other skilled horsemen who existed before that time. Additionally, there are undoubtedly many exceptionally talented horsemen throughout history who have contributed to equine training practices, yet we will likely never hear their stories or know about their invaluable contributions.