Pacha - march 12, 2012

"Cultivate his (the horse's) intellect - I use the word advisedly - even before you enter on the development of his physical powers. Before a roller has been put on his back, or a snaffle in his mouth, he should be convinced that everything you do to him is right, and that it is impossible for you , his best friend, to cause him the least uneasiness or harm.
The first and most important step is surely gained when we have succeeded in winning that affection which nurses and children call 'cupboard love'.
Likely many amiable characters on two legs, the horse is shy of acquaintances but genial with friend. Make him understand that you are his best and wisest, that all you do conduces to his comfort and happiness, be careful at first not to deceive or disappoint him and you will find his reasoning powers quite strong enough to grasp the relation of cause and effect."
GJ. Whyte Melville, Riding Recollections,London 1875

This most interesting text could have been written by Commandant Rousselet, or by Frédéric Pignon or any modern ethologist adept of kindness and psychology in dressage. But it is not so: it was in fact authored by one of the most famous English fox-hunters in the XIXth century, and published in a remarkable book in 1875 in which he relates his experience in dealing with horses. It shows that equestrian culture ought not to be limited to dressage masters, and that extremely valuable learnings can be found from all great horsemen regardless of their specialty. Fox-hunting horsemanship is often regarded by 'dressage people' with a hint of contempt as a rough and ready sort of equitation. Whyte-Melville demonstrates that instead it can be founded on the same sound and subtle principles as any other equestrian activity, and that affection between man and his companion is the key of everything in horse-riding
I particularly like the way he beautifully establishes the relationship between trust and comfort of the horse and his ability to understand the requests of his rider.

This reading is a great encouragement to me in the process I am engaged with in Pacha's training.