Let the experts debate about the comparison of the two translations. They reflect the different points of view that exist between the well known equestrian schools: The French and the German.  But, don't miss this opportunity to draw  some conclusions from the title under which this paragraph has been written, "About the noble carriage of the horse", and the common messages. These are Xenophon's observations and understanding of horses performing at  their best. Xenophon describes a horse who enjoys his work and in which he seems to be pleased with himself. Is it a horse who prances or is about to prance? Of course! It is a horse showing off at the piaffe.

This noble carriage can happen only under the lightest connection between horse and rider? It refers to a horse prancing in passage and on the spot in piaffe.

From the French quote by Nuno Oliveira in the introduction to:
"A la recherche de l'équitation"
by Michel Henriquet 1968

In the English translation of "The Art of Riding" by Dr. Zoltan Stehlo 1968. Under the title "About the noble carriage of the horse"

For people who do not read French here is Michel Kaplan's  translation of the French quote
XENOPHON
(~430 -  ~355 BC)
First known equestrian author
translated and interpreted into several languages
His legacy: The art of triggering the noble carriage of the horse

Xenophon's teachings are mostly known through translations. Translations tend to reflect the point of view of their translators. It is interesting to compare translations
of the most significant paragraph of the masterpiece of Xenophon: "Peri Hippikes"
It is the second paragraph under the title "About the Noble Carriage of the Horse."
From the French quote by Nuno Oliveira in the introduction to:
"A la recherche de l'équitation"
by Michel Henriquet 1968

In the English translation of "The Art of Riding" by Dr. Zoltan Stehlo 1968. Under the title "About the noble carriage of the horse"

For people who do not read French here is Michel Kaplan's  translation of the French quote
"Oui, c'est avec une main légère que l'on apprend au cheval à travailler, à redresser son encolure et fléchir sa tête, c'est ainsi qu'on provoque chez lui des actions qu'il aime lui même et qui
lui font plaisir."

"If one, however, teaches a horse to move forward with light rein-contact and raise its neck and, while doing so, it arches in front of the poll, then one will acomplish something, that is, the horse will do something it can enjoy and show off with."

"Yes, it is with a light hand that one teaches the horse to work,
to raise his neck and to flex his head, it is so that we trigger in him some actions that he himself likes and that please him."
Let the experts debate about the comparison of the two translations. They reflect the different points of view that exist between the well known equestrian schools: The French and the German.  But, don't miss this opportunity to draw  some conclusions from the title under which this paragraph has been written, "About the noble carriage of the horse", and the common messages. These are Xenophon's observations and understanding of horses performing at  their best. Xenophon describes a horse who enjoys his work and in which he seems to be pleased with himself. Is it a horse who prances or is about to prance? Of course! It is a horse showing off at the piaffe.

This noble carriage can happen only under the lightest connection between horse and rider? It refers to a horse prancing in passage and on the spot in piaffe.

This page was last updated on: October 27, 2004

Copyright 2001. All rights reserved to Michel Kaplan and Beau geste S.O.A.R.