In a time where we are all busy and used to fast answer, there is a tendency to expect a horse to look round, under control, as soon as possible. A lot of people are scared to give too much freedom to their horses, as much with beginner amateurs as with international competitors. We want strength, power, supple movements, and often forget about expression. Expression is the grace of the moving horse, the spark in his eyes while performing demanding exercises.

This ”laisser faire” that Baucher referred to is the basis to any correct work : giving the horse the opportunity to cooperate willingly because he understands what he has to do and because he is able to do it. The relaxation of the brain that is necessary to work in such condition fosters the relaxation of the body and enable actual work from every hidden muscles of such a big animal : the horse listens to you and is aware of his body. Power, balance and ease are the rewards the horse can easily find with the help of a patient rider.

Throughness, straightness and rhythm arise from relaxation and communication, not from a set of draw reins. Adding some "laisser faire" in your riding doesn’t mean letting your horse do what he wants, it means giving him the impression that he is doing what he wants.
We all want to look pretty on our beautiful horses, but there is no shortcuts to truly animate the body of a dancer – he has to give himself to you.
​