Frederico Grisone

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Naple-resident Frederico Grisone is considered one of the first masters of dressage and courtly riding, despite the fact that many of his training methods are not practiced today due to their harsh, unfeeling treatment of the horse.

[edit] Riding and Training Theories

Grisone is well-known for his rather forceful, sometimes cruel, methods of training.^[1] He was influenced by the famous general Xenophon, especially in the positioning of the rider's seat and aids, but he appears to have given up the part where Greek master advocates the gentle training and riding of the horse.

There are several cases in his book "Gli Ordini di Cavalcare," or The Rules of Horsemanship, published in 1561, where he applies abusive practices. This includes forcing the horse's head under water to the point of near-drowning if it shows any fear of crossing water. Other brutal methods, such as severe spurring and harsh bits (some of which Grisone was the inventor), are used to subdue the horse. ^[2]

Grisone was considered a master of his time, and his training methods, unfortunately, had a great impact on the training of horses of his day. They spread into France, due to the de la Boure and Pignatelli. However, later masters such as Antoine de Pluvinel, restored the ideas of gentle training of the horse.

[edit] References