François Baucher

Baucher's most celebrated work is the Méthode d'équitation basée sur de nouveaux principes, "Method of riding based on new principles"; the earliest extant edition is the third, published in 1842.

A prominent aspect of Baucher's method is "flexion" (and relaxation) of the horse's jaw in response to light pressure from either the snaffle or curb bit.

This intended to teach the horse to keep his haunches straight and to help move them backward in the rein back.

Many of Baucher's students had issues with the lack of impulsion resulting from using his technique, and this is indeed one of the greatest criticisms of the method [citation needed].

This posed a problem, as the horse had been taught in the effet d'ensemble that immobility was the correct response to leg aids.

His "second manner" emphasizes the importance of teaching the horse to keep his neck upright, carry it himself without the aid of his rider, and continually sustain his optimal balance and mobility.

The ramener was still used as a control device, however in this latter mode Baucher no longer pulled the horse's nose towards his chest.

Baucher was controversial during his lifetime and his methods continue to draw divided passions from contemporary horse riders and trainers.

Baucher's method went strongly against the traditional philosophy of his time, which maintained that one could not balance and collect a horse without movement.

He also drew searing criticism due his claim to be the first to articulate a reproducible method of achieving lightness with horses of any conformation or breed.

He claimed that they were difficult to sit, dead to the leg, moved flat, and traveled on the forehand; that they could not take up even contact with the reins and had great difficulty bending the joints of their hind legs, swishing their tail in displeasure when asked; that they were stiff at the canter, including during the one-tempi flying changes (which were not practiced or believed to be possible before Baucher first trained them), and could not collect, having a canter more hopping than a jumping motion.

Contemporary critics include some modern dressage riders who are opposed to Baucher's "first period" training techniques on the basis of its perceived harshness, while the principle of "hand without leg, leg without hand" (from his "second period") has become a widely accepted classical dressage principle.

In particular, direct and lateral flexions are prescribed by many popular natural horsemanship trainers and clinicians including Pat Parelli and Clinton Anderson.

Despite the misunderstanding and controversy surrounding Baucher's "first period", many trainers today are finding validity in the work he did during his career.