The biomechanics of the horse provides an opportunity to establish the coherencies of the classical training philosophy, which have been known for centuries, from the anatomical point of view and to get a better understanding of it. The first publication in this field is dated 1939, being titled “Der Reiter formt das Pferd” (only available in German, title translates as “The rider forms the horse”) and written by Prof. Otto Zietzschmann and Udo Bürger.

The central demand of the principles of classical teachings, based on the military service regulation 12 in the first edition from the year 1912, is the harmony between rider and horse. Only a harmonious relationship can bring forth a willing and eager horse. Each physical and psychical tension between the rider and horse leads to disharmony between them and increases the wear (Verschleiß) of the horse.

By taking into account the biomechanical viewpoint, the demand of classical teachings can be explained with a swinging back, a chewing mouth (kauendes Maul), a given away neck (hergegebenen Genick) and a rhythmically, strongly forward pushing horse.

The classical teaching, as portrayed in the Principles of Riding and Driving, directs towards a horse teaching which is built on the horse’s anatomy and psyche, leading to a healthy and rideable horse.

A deeper understanding of the biomechanical coherencies answers diverse questions that arise from the reading of the classical teaching.