The H. Dv. 12 with Commentary: The Rulebook of Riding Culture

The Riding Regulation, H. Dv. 12 in its last edition of 1937 is the foundation of German classical horsemanship. Authored by the German cavalry experts and issued by the German army commander-in-chief, Freiherr von Fritsch, these guidelines governed all training of remounts and recruits with the goal of creating sound, able, willing, and obedient military mounts and equally capable riders. As the original source of the renowned Training Scale, the H. Dv. 12 is the basis for today's Principles of Riding, published by the FN, it serves as the German National Equestrian Federation's official instruction manual.

Eighty-eight years on, H.Dv.12 is still remarkably current. Two voices help bring it forward for today's reader: Kurd Albrecht von Ziegner and Dr. Gerd Heuschmann. Together they show how the manual's core ideas-system, fairness, and patience- fit naturally with modern horsemanship.What always set H.Dv.12 apart is its insistence on ethical, horse-first work. Methods evolve, fashions change, but respect for the horse's body and mind is timeless. Von Ziegner devoted his life to explaining these constants; his classic, The Elements of Dressage (Xenophon Press, 2022) is a model of practical clarity and gives a modern lens for reading H.Dv.12. Dr. Heuschmann, a veterinarian and lifelong advocate for humane training, adds the "why" behind the "how," grounding technique in sound biomechanics and welfare. Their commentary in this 2025 translation turns a historic manual into a living guide: familiar exercises, plainly explained, with up-to-date insight. Without their help, many of H.Dv.12's best lessons might be easy to overlook. With it, the text becomes both a reference and a mentor you can return to again and again.

Finally, we have a NEW, definitive English translation of the classic H. Dv. 12, enhanced by expert commentary.

Translated by Richard F. Williams from the German edition published by Franckh-Kosmos.

"This is a welcome addition to the Xenophon Press library and fills in the blanks of what was, until now, a not-always-easy-to-follow manual of classical horsemanship. Gratitude to both commentators." - Publisher/Translator/Editor, Xenophon Press