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by Otto de LaCroix (Author), Richard F. Williams (Translator)
Written at a pivotal moment in the development of modern equitation, Natural Horsemanship brings into English for the first time one of the clearest and most reasoned statements of classical riding principles to emerge from the German cavalry tradition. First published in Berlin in 1905, Otto de la Croix's work presents horsemanship as a disciplined art grounded in balance, anatomy, and the lawful cooperation of rider and horse.
Moving step by step from first principles, de la Croix traces the rider's aids through the living structure of the horse. He shows how the back serves as the vital link between forehand and hindquarters, how weight and seat guide balance, and how impulsion generated behind shapes carriage in front. From these foundations arise collection, lightness, cadence, and self-carriage as natural consequences of correct gymnastic development.
Each chapter unfolds with practical clarity. The mechanics of the back and its oscillation are explained in detail. The rider's aids are examined in relation to the horse's movement. Lateral work, engagement, straightening, and the progressive stages of collection are presented as coherent parts of one continuous system. Throughout, the horse appears as a unified organism whose strength, elasticity, and durability grow through thoughtful training.
The result is a method that cultivates power with suppleness, precision with ease, and expression with long-term soundness. Riders concerned with biomechanics, humane training, and lasting performance will recognize in these pages insights that speak directly to contemporary practice.
This edition includes Richard F. Williams's complete English translation of the 1905 second edition, together with Paul Plinzner's influential 1886 essay from the Militär-Wochenblatt, providing historical context for one of the most important debates in riding theory. More than a century after its publication, Natural Horsemanship remains a vivid, practical guide for riders, instructors, and students who seek clarity, coherence, and results grounded in the nature of the horse itself.
