Riding, showjumping and horsemanship Books

Book SynopsisTen years have elapsed since the last publication of this book, necessitating a substantially revised edition of this invaluable guide to equine law for students, owners and professionals within the horse industry and solicitors involved in cases concerning horses. Existing subjects brought up to date include: buying and selling, lending and borrowing, negligence, import and export, riding establishments, rights of way, road traffic, veterinary surgeons, betting and gaming, and rules and disciplinary procedures of equestrian bodies.

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Book SynopsisA crucial element of eventing is that horse and rider complete the cross-country course within a set time (''the optimum time''). If the competitor takes longer, significant penalty points are awarded against him or her. Many eventers try to achieve the optimum time by taking unnecessary risks, which, as Stuart Tinney explains, can be avoided if the correct training is carried out. Stuart Tinney, an Olympic gold medallist, completed the Sydney Olympic course easily within the optimum time, not through uncontrollable speed but through accurate and controlled riding. This skill and the associated training and horse management are explained and demonstrated in the book, including: Equipment for the horse and rider Walking the course Riding cross country safely and efficiently Training for cross country in the arena Horse fitness and management Horse types This book will therefore be of interest to all eventeTable of ContentsForeword. Introduction. Acknowledgements. 1. Equipment for the Horse and Rider. 2. Walking the Course. 3. Riding Cross Country Safely and Efficiently. 4. Training for Cross Country in the Arena. 5. Horse Fitness. 6. Horse Management. 7. Horse Types. 8. Summing Up. 9. How It All Started. Stuart’s Results. Index.

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Book SynopsisExamine the anatomy of a horse from an entirely different perspective. This intriguing and original explanation of the 11 internal body systems of horses shows them painted on the outside to describe everything on the inside. The horse is a highly sophisticated living organism so to enable him to reach his full athletic performance and give him a happy, healthy quality of life it is vital to understand both his capabilities and limitations within the context of his structure and function. Gillian Higgins turns her trademark technique of painting internal diagrams directly onto live horses to show how all the systems work, and work together, to influence performance and reduce the risk of injury.Divided into 12 chapters, Horse Anatomy for Performance combines high quality photographs and intricate paintings with top tips and fascinating facts to provide a practical and useful guide to horse anatomy. Visually appealing, original and easily understandable, the bTable of ContentsForeword; Preface; Introduction; 1. Skin; 2. Skeleton; 3. Muscles; 4. Connective Tissues of the Musculo-skeletal System; 5. Nervous System; 6. Respiratory System; 7. Circulatory System; 8. Digestive System; 9. Lymphatic System - major lymph nodes and vessels; 10. Urinary System; 11. Reproductive System; 12. Endocrine System; Conclusions; About Painting Horses; Glossary; Index.

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Book SynopsisThis title offers a fascinating ''inside-out'' view of how the horse uses its body, that is presented in a graphic, easy-to-follow way to aid you in improving all aspects of riding and training. Discover the true effect of riding and training on each part of the horse by seeing the skeleton and major muscles painted on the outside. It includes practical exercises that demonstrate how to improve movement, build the right muscles and increase suppleness in the horse. It includes step-by-step guidance on the correct way to warm-up your horse and stretching routines to help guard against injury. Unlike other books on biomechanics and anatomy How Your Horse Moves is truly applied.Table of ContentsForeword; Introduction; 1 Inside the horse - an examination of basic anatomy; 2 The applied mechanics of movement; How horses move; Training and development; 3 Stretching and warm-up; About the author; Index.

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Book SynopsisRobin Oakley brings alive the colourful world of those who ride and train jumping horses.With elegant production and gripping images, Sixty Years of Jump Racing chronicles the social and economic changes which have brought the sport's ups and downslike the development of sponsorships and syndicate ownership, the near loss of the Grand National, the growing domination of the Cheltenham Festival and the growth of all-weather racing to meet the bookies' demands for betting shop fodder. Pace and colour is provided by stories of the horses who have been taken to the heart of racing crowds, like the Irish-trained hurdler Istabraq and Best Mate, the three-times winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup for England. Famous rivalries and memorable races are re-lived and key victories revisited in portraits of and interviews with the owners, jockeys and trainers who have dominated the sport.The emphasis will be largely on the past fifty yearsfrom Arkle to Tony McCoybut a significant Trade ReviewA very fine book indeed… a love letter to a sport the two authors adore… Readers of this will be grateful to Oakley and Gillespie. A good job has been done * Racing Post *A labour of love written with Edward Gillespie… it charts National Hunt racing from the mid-1960s when the incomparable steeplechaser Arkle’s reign ended to the retirement of the 20-times champion jockey Sir AP McCoy in 2015. At its heart is a series of insightful interviews with leading trainers that illustrate the sport’s evolution * Yorkshire Post *Highly recommended… People bitten by jump racing after watching the National, the Champion Hurdle or the Cheltenham Gold Cup will find this book a useful guide to a sport with deep roots. Whether it will help them pick out winners is another matter... * The Pink, Southampton *For the true racing fan Sixty Years of Jump Racing will revive a host of memories * XtraTime *A colourful anecdote-packed history of steeplechasing and hurdling. This is a thoroughly enjoyable romp through the sport that maintains the strong gallop right through the 280-odd pages * Blackpool Gazette *This beautifully produced book encapsulates a majestic history * Cotswold Life *A great coffee table read * Three Counties Race Club Magazine *This book lays out the history in a way that has not been achieved before... A must for all horse racing fans * Firetrench *an exceptional book for any sport lover, let alone National Hunt enthusiast… there is never a dull moment – this is a book I keep on my bedside * Fitzdare Times *What we have, in some ways, is a love letter to a sport the two authors adore. This is highly readable and is enhanced by glorious photographs. * Racing Post *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Racing’s acronyms and abbreviations Foreword by Edward Gillespie The Cheltenham Gold Cup The Champion Hurdle The Grand National The Champion Trainers Women in Racing The Jockey’s Life The Champion Jockeys Ireland Finding the Horses The Royals and Racing Running Racing Paying for Racing Betting on Racing Epilogue Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisONE OF USA TODAY''S “20 SUMMER BOOKS YOU WON''T WANT TO MISS” In the bestselling tradition of works by such authors as Susan Orlean and Mary Roach, a New York Times reporter and Pulitzer Prize finalist explores why so many people—including herself—are obsessed with horses.It may surprise you to learn that there are over seven million horses in America—even more than when they were the only means of transportation—and nearly two million horse owners. Acclaimed journalist and avid equestrian Sarah Maslin Nir is one of them; she began riding horses when she was just two years old and hasn’t stopped since. Horse Crazy is a fascinating, funny, and moving love letter to these graceful animals and the people who—like her—are obsessed with them. It is also a coming-of-age story of Nir growing up an outsider within the world’s most elite inner circles, and finding her true north in hor

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Book Synopsis'Poignant and compelling, an equine Bridget Jones.' Racing PostBeing a stable lass is probably one of the hardest jobs in the country, and yet for Gemma Hogg it is the most rewarding. She works in the beautiful Yorkshire market town of Middleham and if her colleagues are occasionally challenging, then the horses are downright astonishing. Now, in Stable Lass, she takes us into the closed world of a top racing yard, from the elation of having several winners in one day to the almost indescribable grief of losing a horse. Like most stable lads and lasses, Gemma arrived in her yard as a teenager fresh out of racing college and had to cope with living away from home for the first time, as well as adapting to the brutal long hours, backbreaking work and often treacherous weather. She describes falling in love with Polo Venture, the first racehorse in her care, the pure exhilaration of riding him on Middleham Gallops for the first time and what happens when a horse takes against you, from the growling gelding Valiant Warrior to the potentially lethal Broadway Boy. She brings to life the characters around the yard, from straight-talking boss Micky Hammond to the jockeys starving themselves to make weight, the wealthy owners and the other stable lads and lasses who come from a range of different places and backgrounds. Stable Lass by Gemma Hogg is a unique look into the world of horse racing filled with heart-warming stories and amazing thoroughbreds – some loveable, some cantankerous, all impressive.Trade ReviewVividly funny, shockingly frank, deeply passionate, movingly sensitive - and that’s just about the horses! A bawdy, caring, and wickedly insightful stable yard rite of passage that no racing fan should miss. There’s never been a book like this before. -- Brough ScottA delightful romp. * Daily Mail *A poignant, compelling, hilarious, emotional account of life as a Yorkshire stable lass. * Racing Post *An exhilarating ride and a fascinating ‘muck and all’ glimpse into the closed world of horse racing. * Lancashire Evening Post *Full of heartwarming stories and some very characterful thoroughbreds * Horse & Rider *Stable Lass is a must-read. * Horse & Hound *

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Book Synopsis'Poignant and compelling, an equine Bridget Jones.' – Racing PostBeing a stable lass is probably one of the hardest jobs in the country, and yet for Gemma Hogg it is the most rewarding. She works in the beautiful Yorkshire market town of Middleham and if her colleagues are occasionally challenging, then the horses are downright astonishing. Now, in Stable Lass, she takes us into the closed world of a top racing yard, from the elation of having several winners in one day to the almost indescribable grief of losing a horse. Like most stable lads and lasses, Gemma arrived in her yard as a teenager fresh out of racing college and had to cope with living away from home for the first time, as well as adapting to the brutal long hours, backbreaking work and often treacherous weather. She describes falling in love with Polo Venture, the first racehorse in her care, the pure exhilaration of riding him on Middleham Gallops for the first time and what happens when a horse takes against you, from the growling gelding Valiant Warrior to the potentially lethal Broadway Boy. She brings to life the characters around the yard, from straight-talking boss Micky Hammond to the jockeys starving themselves to make weight, the wealthy owners and the other stable lads and lasses who come from a range of different places and backgrounds. Stable Lass by Gemma Hogg is a unique look into the world of horse racing filled with heart-warming stories and amazing thoroughbreds – some loveable, some cantankerous, all impressive.Trade ReviewVividly funny, shockingly frank, deeply passionate, movingly sensitive - and that’s just about the horses! A bawdy, caring, and wickedly insightful stable yard rite of passage that no racing fan should miss. There’s never been a book like this before. -- Brough ScottA delightful romp. * Daily Mail *A poignant, compelling, hilarious, emotional account of life as a Yorkshire stable lass. * Racing Post *An exhilarating ride and a fascinating ‘muck and all’ glimpse into the closed world of horse racing. * Lancashire Post *Full of heartwarming stories and some very characterful Thoroughbreds * Horse & Rider *

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Book SynopsisThe author of the best-selling "Dancing with Horses" returns to further explain the intricate body language of the horse.

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Book Synopsis'Whether first time horse owner or seasoned professional, you are guaranteed to come away with a detailed, systematic, and comprehensive method for a happier, healthier equine partner'. Lameness is the most common cause of poor performance in the horse. This makes management of his soundness over the long term integral to both his general well being and his ability to participate in recreational and competitive activities. Unfortunately, most equine caretakers are unable to perceive abnormal movement in the horse, extending the period between the onset of a problem and its eventual treatment, and the longer an issue is allowed to persist, the greater the chance that it will progress. Many equine veterinarians also find it difficult to visually decipher lameness, which leads to lengthy, expensive, and often inaccurate diagnostic work ups. It is with these two key audiences in mind that Dr. Bob Grisel has created a book unlike any other. With hundreds of illustrations, dozens of charts, and links (via scannable QR codes within the book) to online videos of explanatory case studies, readers are given a complete course in observing, identifying, and decoding equine lameness. Dr. Grisel helps you interpret what is seen, plain and simple (no need for medical knowledge of equine anatomy and pathology).Trade ReviewA massive amount of shared knowledge presented in a very easy to follow non-vet school manner... Love the interactive video QR codes throughout the book that provide great visual help to go along with the text. Highly recommended for any horse owner or horse health practitioner. This is a book you will use time and time again.This unique book should be required reading for anyone who works with horses: veterinarians, blacksmiths, trainers, massage therapists, etc. It is a one-of-a-kind deconstruction of equine lameness.No broad-brush overview, Equine Lameness for the Layman is a veterinary text sweetened with helpful illustrations and such plain-language descriptions as 'right front non-weight-bearing lameness looks as if the horse is dragging a brick with a right front pastern.Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction Glossary SECTION ONE: Our Responsibility to the Performance Horse SECTION TWO: What is Lameness? SECTION THREE: Forms of Lameness SECTION FOUR: Pertinent Equine Anatomy SECTION FIVE: The Fundamentals of Productive Observation SECTION SIX: The Method of Visual Lameness Assessment SECTION SEVEN: The Gait Signature SECTION EIGHT: Applying Our Observations to the Diagnostic Process References Video Quick Library References About the Author Index

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Book SynopsisChristoph Hess, a Fédération Equestre International (FEI) “I” Judge in both dressage and eventing, is highly respected around the world as a teacher of riding and the development of the horse according to classical principles. Here he collects some of his very best riding and training tips along with well-honed insight related to the topics that he finds most often challenge equestrians and their equine partners. Ride Better with Christoph Hess provides thoughtful, easy-to-apply advice when dealing with issues with the gaits, in particular the walk and canter; high-headedness or the horse that is “too light” in the poll; inconsistency of performance; leaning on the bit; falling out; lack of straightness; and much more. In addition, Hess breaks out particular skills and movements that often need specialized attention when in the dressage or jumping ring, and when going cross-country. Throughout Hess emphasizes that a rider must always strive to improve, for the simple reason that you can always do better for your horse. While competitive and training goals do, of course, bring a certain satisfaction, it is having an equine partner who is contented in his work and happy in your company that rewards most. This lesson, and all Hess's tips and solutions, are invaluable to equestrians of every level - everyone can walk away from this book a better rider.Trade ReviewChristoph's book is delivered wholly around his classical development training principles. It's thoughtful, easy-to-apply advice and a collection of his best riding and training tips. The most common challenges for riders of all levels (that he has encountered) are also addressed — the regular, most frequent ones such as leaning on the bit, falling out, lack of straightness, as well as 'Top at home, flop at show' — a horsey 'problem' that crops up regularly at all levels and one of the reasons riders ask him for help. * Essex Rider *Ride Better with Christoph Hess, is a new book, out now, which is full of helpful tips and pieces of advice for riders and their horses whether they are interested in dressage, eventing or showjumping.Christoph (pictured top) is an FEI I judge in both dressage and eventing and is highly respected around the world as a trainer too, adhering to classical principles. Here he picks out problems and sticking points he finds most common when training horse and rider and shares his advice in a very easy-to-follow manner.No matter what level you are riding to, this book is a must-read. Throughout Hess emphasises that a rider must always strive to improve, for the simple reason that they can always do better for their horse.Deserves to be a bookshelf reference for every barn, regardless of discipline-after all, we all want to ride better.Aspirational in an inviting way, and Hess's advice is straightforward, easy to understand, and of course, classically correct.What I like about this book is it is a real problem-solver... a very good book for specific issues. Two thumbs up.Table of ContentsForeword by Uta GrafIntroduction 1. General Challenges in Dressage Work Walk - The Most Difficult Gait Losing our Rhythm in Seven-League Boots Enough Already with Short Strides The Wooden Canter Born to Stretch - Long and Low Young 'Pushy' and 'High-Headed' Light in the Poll - A Challenge Stretch, Then Stretch, Then Stretch Some More A Horse That Leans on the Bit Help - My Horse is a 'Wiggleworm'! The Infamous 'Sweet Side' Falling Out Over the Shoulder Straightness - A Challenge Unbalanced Canter to the Left Out of Control at Canter Flying Changes - A Challenge for Horse and Rider The Secret to a Good Half-Pass 2. Special Challenges in Dressage Work When the Mare Runs Away Rein Lame - A Rider Problem Grinding - A Long Term Issue The Move from Snaffle to Double Bridle Backward - Never with Pressure Determining the 'All-Rounder' Conditioning for the Dressage Horse Rehabilitating a Riding Horse Briefly and Quickly Trained Under Saddle The Unfocused Horse From Broodmare to Riding Horse From the Racetrack to the Dressage Arena From School Horse to Personal Horse From Riding Horse to Driving Horse Fearful, Arrogant, or Fresh? A Young Whippersnapper Lacks Respect My Horse Fidgets 3. Challenges in Show Jumping and Riding Cross-Country Training Over Single Fences More Courage on Course 'Top' at Home but a 'Flop' at Shows Hacking Out on a 'Loose Canon' When your Child wants to Event When Trust Fails Cross-Country 4. Select Challenges The Art of the Canter (Departure) Laziness in Horses Acknowledgements Photos & Illustrations Index

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Book SynopsisOver time, horses (like people) acquire postural habits, compensate for soreness and injury, and develop poor movement patterns. This limits performance ability, causes unsoundness and health issues, and ultimately undermines the horse's overall well-being.Jec Aristotle Ballou has made a name for herself advocating for the horse and providing sensible instruction in his schooling, conditioning, and care. Her bestselling books and popular clinics are designed to enable any horse person to correctly apply proven principles that bring measurable progress while avoiding boredom and confusion.In her latest collection of mounted and unmounted corrective exercises, Ballou demonstrates how we can actively work to improve the horse's posture and movement, whether he is an active performance or pleasure mount, an aging or older horse that benefits from gentle exercise, or one being rehabilitated following injury, illness, or lack of conditioning. Ballou's positive cross-training techniques are free of shortcuts, and her guidelines for analyzing the horse's posture and way of going help readers gain a new awareness of the equine body.Applicable for all disciplines, this is an integral collection that optimizes how the horse uses his body and helps ensure he stays sounder and healthier for more years of his life.Trade ReviewOverall a very informative book that will be well received by those that seek to improve their knowledge of the movement and posture of the horse and wish to learn how to improve his wellbeing with simple exercises that can be done easily everyday. Recommended reading for riders of all levels.Jec Aristotle Ballou is back at it again with another informative, picture-filled book with the primary focus of optimising horse movement. From everyday tips to breakdowns of elaborate exercises with bars, Ballou sets you up with tactics to try in the saddle and on the ground for peak performances.Easy-to-follow... great get-out-of-the-arena work.Ballou breaks the 55 exercises down into easily-digestible steps, organised by type of work (corrective, postural, bodywork for bad habits, groundwork and daily exercises).... 55 Corrective Exercises For Horses can help put more tools at the rider's disposal to keep our horses performing their best.Table of ContentsChapter 1: Corrective Exercises to Create New Patterns Chapter 2: Tuning up Postural Muscles Chapter 3: Simple Bodywork to Break Bad Habits Chapter 4: Getting the Most from Groundwork Chapter 5: Exercises and Tips to Follow Every Day

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Book SynopsisBeth Baumert's first book, When Two Spines Align: Dressage Dynamics, was a popular and critical success. Lauded by Olympian Carl Hester as the book he most frequently quotes at clinics, it examined the ways the physical bodies of horse and rider work together—the physics behind riding in balance. In Baumert's new book How Two Minds Meet, she takes us beyond physical harmony to look at the minds of both horse and rider, each complete with its own set of emotions and mental capabilities. Readers will explore: How the mind of the horse works. The rider's “two minds”—the analytical mind and the sensory dimension of the mind (with which the horse more readily identifies). Specific ways to get into the “non-thinking place” where the best communication between horse and rider takes place. Principles of Learning that enable riders to improve the use of the traditional, knowledge—accumulating part of their brains. Nine ideas for boosting your ability to learn, retain, and apply knowledge that's useful in training horses. Methods for organising and “filing” information so it can be best utilised. How to ensure the horse is physically comfortable (balanced) under saddle to allow for a meeting of the minds in the first place. Not only does Baumert explain how to optimise the use of the “thinking mind” in order to become a better learner in the saddle, she provides techniques for maximising mental and emotional harmony with the horse, a state of unity that feels so good, Baumert calls it the “charming addiction”—once a rider has it, she wants to attain it again and again. Feeding this addiction is possible, says Baumert, with the thoughtful, practical insight she shares in these pages.

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Book SynopsisStride control (striding) is an essential part of any rider’s development when jumping obstacles, and jumping them well, is a goal. Understanding and implementing stride control (being able to adjust the number of strides before and between fences) improves a horse’s rideability and allows the rider to further improve the horse’s technique over an obstacle. Jen Marsden Hamilton discovered striding from the master himself: former US Show Jumping Chef d’Equipe credits her as being the first student to whom he taught the method that he’d learned from Bertalan De Némethy, one of his mentors. Now, after coaching countless riders and horses around the world in the striding techniques that brought her success during her own impressive competitive career, Hamilton has compiled her knowledge in a concise book of exercises and insightful strategies. This fun, approachable guide will help all riders train with correctness and form good habits at home so they can be stars at their next jumping or eventing competition. Exercises include detailed set-up instructions and illustrations for reference; clear discussion of the purpose and strategy for the training session; and helpful tips, to ensure all involved are benefiting from the lesson. Throughout, Hamilton’s straight-talk and wry humour provides entertainment as well as advice, providing an all-around superb guide to this necessary jumping skill.

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Book SynopsisDrawing on the theories of a number of respected dressage masters, this volume shows how both horse and rider can benefit greatly from traditional dressage techniques and exercises. "Lessons in Lightness" is a step-by-step program that teaches the rider to focus on the subtle nuances of communication, while encouraging the horse to develop gymnastically so they can respond quickly and efficiently. Also included in this superb volume is expert information on teaching your horse to release inner tension, build overall strength, and how to enhance the horse's true and natural gait. No other volume available provides the level of detail found in this volume, it will become an essential reference for horse-lovers everywhere.

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Book SynopsisDressage is the ultimate achievement of oneness between horse and rider. Featuring a full arena diagram and step-by-step instructions for each exercise, this sturdy book is designed to allow the rider to hang it on a hook and refer to it from the saddle. You’ll learn how to improve your riding position; master looseness, balance, and suspension; and perfect flying changes as you work toward dressage success.

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Book SynopsisWhether competing in the show ring or riding at home on the trail, every rider wants to be more secure and balanced in the saddle and effective with their aids. This innovative guide uses highly effective exercises to develop your athleticism on horseback so you can say goodbye to common rider problems, such as: - Swinging lower legs. - Stiff arms. - Trouble balancing over the horse’s center of gravity. - Half-halts that go unanswered. - Incorrect mechanics, on the flat and in the jumping position. - And more. Division I collegiate riding coach Sally Batton has spent over 30 years perfecting her methods specifically designed to refine and polish riders, whatever their level. In her work with hundreds of varsity team athletes, she found that trouble with position and lack of specific horsemanship skills happens for two reasons: First, riders may not have an understanding of the biomechanics required to maintain the correct position. Second, they may not have attained the suppleness and strength required to maintain a fluid, elastic position on the horse. Her secret to combatting these difficulties won her teams dozens of championships and awards through the years. Here you learn both her time-proven warm-up and her exciting “Equicize” routine: a series of progressive exercises similar to aerobics on horseback. Batton's recommendations help you build and strengthen the major muscle groups used by equestrian athletes, and all exercises can be customized so you can raise or lower the intensity as needed to suit your age, level, and riding style. Plus, readers find dozens of creative training “hacks” that will get them on their way to greater levels of riding proficiency in no time at all.

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Book SynopsisThe definitive guide to individualized equine management based on the horse’s personality and body type. Dr. Ina Gösmeier leads the horse world in her area of specialization. A classically trained veterinarian, she supports her Western medical practice with knowledge gained through the study of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This handbook provides a basic introduction to the guiding principle of determining a horse's type before making decisions about handling, care, training, or treatment. According to TCM there are five horse types, assignments that are based not only on the horse's behavior, but on his build and body conformation, as well as diagnosis of his tongue and pulse. By determing the horse's type, you learn: How to understand and partner with each individual equine in the best ways possible. Appropriate choices related to training and handling techniques. Insight related to how a horse travels and what can keep him comfortable and healthy on the road. Why one horse learns quickly, why one always needs more rest, why another needs to be motivated with variety, and why some are fine alone while others need a friend at their side. A TCM type description helps the horse owner and rider assess the horse more accurately, promote the horse's training and well-being in a targeted manner, and troubleshoot existing and potential rideability problems. This book shares 11 case studies of horse types “in harmony” and “in disharmony” to demonstrate how the five horse types can be applied on day-to-day basis as well when treatment for injury or illness is necessary. Basic instructions for DIY acupressure and herbal therapy for health maintenance over the long term are also included.

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Book Synopsis"A confident rider is vital to the overall performance of the horse/rider partnership and John Haime’s Ride Big is a great tool for any rider to help improve their confidence in equestrian sport.” - Oliver Townend, FEI #1 World-Ranked Eventer, Olympic Eventing Gold Medalist Tokyo 2021 An easy-to-implement framework proven to grow rider confidence, tested by the world’s leading equestrian athletes. Without confidence, achievement in competition is unattainable. When confidence is lacking in any sport, equestrian included, chances are your career will be short. Renowned performance coach John Haime has written the book to counter this challenge, providing the mental tools riders need to be better under pressure of all kinds and consistently succeed. Haime invites readers to dive into three clear and informative areas of exploration: The Confidence Base: Firm up the fundamentals. The Confidence Builders: Systems and tips to help you build confidence. The Confidence Threats: An inside look at what to watch out for in riding and in competition. Throughout, those who have reached the highest levels on horseback in a number of disciplines share their stories, including Michael Jung, Beezie Madden, McLain Ward, Laura Tomlinson, Harry Meade, Oliver Townend, and Beth Underhill. These Olympians, champions, and medalists explain what they do in the saddle and how their techniques for performing under world-class pressure might help other riders develop a similar kind of confidence. Perhaps even more valuable are the struggles these top competitors share, giving readers the rare opportunity to see how even “the best of the best” are human, too. The way riders develop confidence in their equestrian lives is transferable to everything they do: a confident rider can be a confident business person, confident worker, confident spouse, confident parent, and confident friend. In this way, Ride Big!™ instills a skill of worth and promise that extends far beyond the show ring.Trade ReviewA confident rider is vital to the overall performance of the horse/rider partnership and John Haime’s Ride Big is a great tool for any rider to help improve their confidence in equestrian sport.This guide from John Haime will help equestrians build their confidence, handle their emotions, and deal with pressure. I highly recommend it to competitors looking to take their riding to the next level. * Beezie Madden *In equestrian sports there are so many variables making it easy to find an 'out' or an excuse for failure. But when the rider chooses to take responsibility, Ride Big, and all the athletes in it, will share the secrets and home truths that allow equestrian athletes to unlock their full potential. And on those occasions when things do go wrong, they will know how to genuinely learn from their mistakes and do better in the future. * Laura Tomlinson *Equestrian sport is complex and individual for all riders. Ride Big will help you be better equipped to solve problems, be more confident when confronting challenges, and better enjoy your experiences with horses. Read this book. * Michael Jung *In sum, ‘Ride BIG’ was a fantastic read, and I would recommend it to riders wanting to ‘up their game’ and make sure they tick all the boxes when training and competing their horses.

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Book SynopsisThis modern-day quick reference to more than 50 grids and jumping exercises brings the best of top international training and instruction into your home ring. Build your skillset and your horse's confidence and conditioning with a fantastic selection of lessons you can use to: - Diversify your training routine. - Sharpen your horse prior to competition. - Address specific problem areas. Within these pages you'll have regular access to the tips and tricks that have brought some of the most accomplished riders and trainers professional success. Amateur eventer Margaret Rizzo McKelvy has compiled an unparalleled collection of exercises for any jumping discipline—eventing, show jumping, hunters, and equitation—by tapping the expertise of a remarkable group of top equestrians never before found together in one instructional book, including Olympians Anne Kursinski, Phillip Dutton, Kim Severson, Ingrid Klimke, and Will Coleman. Plus, you'll find: - Easy-to-follow diagrams and clear explanations make it a snap to recreate the lessons at home. - Workouts are easy to modify for smaller or larger arenas. - Recommendations help you adjust exercises as needed relative to the experience level of riders and horses. This one-of-a-kind resource is not only a fabulous addition to any rider's training toolbox, it is invaluable to coaches and instructors looking for ideas and inspiration to help keep their students engaged and growing as riders and educated horsepeople.

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Book SynopsisIt is no secret that riders often neglect their own needs in order to ensure their horses' are met. Countless dollars go toward massages, chiropractic work, and various other therapies that keep our equines comfortable and performing their best. We carefully schedule their training programs to achieve peak fitness at just the right time, and we juggle our personal lives—careers, family, you name it—around it all. But horse sports are a partnership, and if we want our horses to be at their best, then we have to be at ours, and that means paying careful attention to our own athletic bodies. Most riders argue they simply don't have the time to work out and still give their horses the time they need, so certified personal trainer Laura Crump Anderson has written a book that specifically targets the ever-present dilemma of how to fit fitness into a horse-crazy lifestyle. Beginning with explanations of why strength, flexibility, and balance is important to achieve out of the tack, Anderson provides important rules and guidelines for stretching, weight training, and cardio to keep you safe. A lifelong equestrian herself, she then approaches the scheduling issue head-on, helping readers determine where best to fit in the minutes they need in the places they need to be anyway—the tack room, the arena, the barn aisle. Using only basic items you are likely to find around the stable, she keeps equipment needs straightforward, recognizing that the less likely it is you forget something, the more likely it is you'll get that workout in. Readers are then treated to seven original fitness routines, each dedicated to a specific area like the lower body or the core, or designated as a full-body program. Full color photos of top riders, including Jan Byyny, Sloane Coles, and Sharon White, demonstrate how to perform exercises effectively, and step-by-step instructions ensure you get it right. With its clear and to-the-point delivery and attention to the realities of the modern riding life, this book is the perfect way to ensure more active, effective, pain-free years in the saddle.

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Book SynopsisStretching is a necessary part of any athlete's exercise and maintenance routine. Long recognized to promote flexibility and prevent injury in humans, stretching can bring the same benefits to horses when made part of their daily care. This illustrated handbook makes it easy for riders and owners to include simple exercises that improve performance and increase longevity in their usual training schedule. Optimal equine performance requires strength, flexibility, coordination, and resilience. The practice of stretching makes it possible to develop and maintain all these elements in harmony. It also provides valuable transition time from hours that may have been spent in a stall to the gymnastic expectations we have for horses under saddle: rhythm and elasticity of the gaits, willingness to go forward, beautiful and dynamic movement, reliability and surefootedness, and more. With clear descriptions of the anatomical and physiological principles of stretching, readers gain an understanding of the exercises that may be best for their horses and disciplines in mind. Then, detailed instructions are provided explaining: - Simple, quick-to-do joint and muscle evaluations. - Stretches targeting specific muscle groups. - Stretches to promote suppleness and relaxation. - Stretches to warm up and prepare for work. - Stretches for cool down and recovery. Color photographs demonstrate evaluations and stretches step-by-step, supplemented by detailed explanations of what you may discover in your horse's reactions. Perhaps best of all, readers are provided a therapeutic reason for more hands-on time with their horses, and new ways to listen to him, to understand him, and to ultimately improve his well-being and performance.

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All horses have four hooves that are integral to their overall health, their athletic ability, and ultimately, their longevity, whether their “job” is simply grazing in a pasture or competing at the highest levels. But not all horses are the same—the individual needs of each horse require an understanding of responsible, informed hoofcare on the part of the owner, rider, or trainer. This highly illustrated guide by one of the world's leading minds in the area of farriery provides an unparalleled look at advances in shoeing and general hoof maintenance, with the goal of helping owners to comprehend the “whys” of certain choices, recognize variations in shoeing options, and become better consumers of horse shoes and horseshoeing all around. Steve Kraus, Head of Farrier Services at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and instructor at the Cornell Farrier School, is uniquely qualified to provide a varied and thorough exploration of hoof & related topics, including: Equine conformation—how to assess it in relation to soundness and performance, and how farriers use it to guide shoeing choices. To shoe or not to shoe? Using sense and science to analyze which horses are better served with shoes and which may be comfortable and healthy barefoot. - Types of horseshoes and traction devices, modification devices, adhesives, materials, and more. - Shoe loss—why it happens and how to prevent it. - Farrier training—where and how it happens, how to find a good one and what you should expect. - Horse handling for shoeing—how to prepare your horse and yourself. - The future of farriery with 3D printing. - And so much more. With plenty of “adventures from the road” and lessons learned during his years of shoeing horses professionally, Kraus provides a guide that is not only massive in value, it's entertaining, to boot. An excellent resource for all serious horse people who wish to keep their horses comfortable and performing their very best while making informed decisions and having intelligent conversations with hoofcare professionals.

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Book SynopsisAs times have changed, so has our understanding of the social, psychological, and physical needs of the animals in our care. As open spaces shrink, our view of what is required to keep horses as best suits their nature is expanding. The result is a need for guidance when it comes to making decisions related to modern-day equine management best practices. The hard truth is that the creatures who have long been our companions have also long been expected to adapt to living situations created with primarily human convenience and comfort in mind.With this inspiringly illustrated guidebook, natural horsekeeping expert Iveta Jebácková-Lažanská hopes to help everyone with horses create sophisticated, functional, equine-centric stable systems, in which horses, nature, and people thrive. Jebácková-Lažanská demonstrates how, for those who want to, it's possible to find ways to make outdoor horsekeeping work via a system that has slowly emerged over time that can work for any property, whether small or large. Already, it has been proven to work well by horse owners all over the world, some of whom contributed their knowledge and experiences to these pages.Topics explored include:- Size and type of basic enclosures.- Dealing with weather- and environment-related challenges, like mud.- Location of, type of, and materials used in sheds, shelters, and stalls.- Footing, surfaces, and bedding, both temporary and permanent.- Water supplies and weather concerns.- Horse toilets.- Feeder types, locations, and arrangements.- Fencing, and paddock and pasture management, including rotation, fertilizing, and seasonal concerns.- Areas to roll, wallow, and play.- Natural trees, shrubs, and grasses to encourage and discourage.- Pest control.- Adjusting for the seasons, and your region and climate.With success stories throughout to serve as both evidence and inspiration, readers are certain to come away armed with all they need to allow their horses to live life as they were meant to, in tune with their instinctual needs for forage, movement, and choice, and in concert with the natural world.

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Book SynopsisFormer international event rider Eric Smiley has brought along his own top-level horses for decades. Now he taps his immense knowledge to help riders whose horses may not have had “the right start.” Every horse comes with his own “baggage”—behavior or training issues, minor or significant, that may be difficult to pinpoint or resolve. In these pages, Smiley addresses the most common problems he has seen over the years in dressage, eventing, and show jumping, including: - Problems with head and neck position. - Connection issues. - Failure to follow the rules of forward, straight, and regular. - Difficulty with collection. - Lack of consistency. Smiley teaches readers how to identify what isn't working by looking at how things should work. Then he walks us through dismantling and reassembling the issues, providing an easy-to-follow system for determining what's potentially wrong with a horse and choosing sensible exercises for fixing it. He introduces a troubleshooting five-point system: - Ask yourself, “What is the problem?” - Ask, “How, when, and why did it arise?” - Ask, “Why does it need solving?” - Formulate a plan. - Analyze the results in the context of “now” and what they may mean for the future. Layers and shifts of understanding in horses combined with the physical and psychological challenges of riding can often make solving problems that arise seem complicated, and sometimes it is difficult to know where to even begin. Smiley's system helps readers find that “start point” and map out a sensible plan for future training. He shows how to determine when something may have become an issue for your horse or your performance, ways to try and avoid it happening in the first place, and of course, offers highly practical solutions to employ when you find you do have a problem. Smiley's goal is to “always leave people and horses with a positive journey to go on, with the prospect of ‘better to come.’” With its usefulness, cross-disciplinary approach, and optimism, The Sport Horse Problem Solver is all you need to achieve success in partnership with your horse, wherever you are in your journey together.

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Book SynopsisFor six decades, Lynn Palm has been a mainstay of the horse training, showing, and clinicing industry. Her successes in diversity in training and the development of willingness and ability across disciplines are unparalleled. She has four Superhorse Titles-a prize awarded to a horse that demonstrates a broad skillset and proficiency in multiple sports. In these pages, Lynn shares the eight keys to her success in training and competing, and how you, too-whether you're eventing or ranch riding-can shape a horse with a good attitude, correct movement, healthy biomechanics, and top-notch conditioning. A "Superhorse" will take you farther for longer, and you'll enjoy every minute of it. Readers will learn how: - Not all knowledge is good knowledge, and which knowledge is best. - Groundwork in the form of in-hand, longeing, liberty work, long-lining, and trick training is integral to attaining training goals - To incorporate longevity training with progressive lessons that have the "long game" in mind - The rider's ability directly impacts the horse's - A competitive edge serves both the recreational rider and the one who shows - To overcome the inevitable challenges when training a horse and facing questions of persistence versus suitability - We need to do better for the horse in equestrian sport - "Giving back" to the industry provides a foundation for Superhorses for generations to come With a rich mix of stories curated from years of horse adventures, practical ideas you can put to work in your own arena, and exercises to incorporate in your daily practice, Finding Your Superhorse is the rare inspiring read that teaches. Throughout, Lynn's warmth of character and intense commitment to horses, horse people, and improving the industry that has given her a life and a livelihood shine through, guiding us all toward what's possible and the "super" in every horse.

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Book SynopsisOver 30 years ago, renowned horseman and popular storyteller Mark Rashid's first book, Considering the Horse, was published. In it he shared his experiences with horses and people, subtly delivering practical lessons in horsemanship and life in a conversational style that resonated with audiences around the world. Now Rashid considers all that has happened in the years that have passed since that first book was published—the transformative moments and impactful individuals who have helped shape his philosophies and methods since then. With his distinctive voice, he shepherds readers through topics of relevance in the equestrian industry while telling more of his life story, resulting in an engaging memoir-style read that remains rich in nuggets of wisdom that you can put right to work in your daily interactions with horses. In For the Love of the Horse, Rashid explores: - Ways he tried to find his own way of being with horses without actually knowing what he was looking for. - How the art of aikido, and the teachers he had, changed his ideas about life and relationships outside the dojo. - How it feels to be soft (and how it feels to not be), and how Rashid learned to stay true to the principles of softness as he understood them, regardless of the situation. - How he broke out of the pattern of assigning human emotions and comprehension to horses. - The impact neuroscientist Dr. Steve Peters had on Rashid's understanding of the horse's behaviors and responses and how they correlate to what is actually going on in the horse's brain. - The power of observation and learning how to be still, even in the midst of activity. - The difference between trying to connect with the horse versus allowing the horse to connect with you. - How over time Rashid has shifted from trying techniques that alter a horse's behavior, to adjusting his own thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in order to help the horse feel safer. In his familiar way, Rashid takes readers on a journey that rewards with both adventure and education, finding new inroads in our attempts to become better company and fairer caregivers to horses. With his thoughtful lifetime of study leading by example, we are all encouraged to consider how far horsemanship has come and how bright its future might be.

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Book SynopsisTens of thousands of riders pursue the sport of dressage in North America, and the majority do so on a budget and with the horse they already have—or quite simply, the one they can afford. This means riders are facing the challenge of mastering one of the world's most esteemed equestrian events on horses that may not be bred specifically for the task, or even if they have been, may not be top prospects for any number of reasons. International dressage judge, clinician, and riding coach Janet Foy has ridden many different horses—different size, colors, and breeds—to the highest levels of dressage competition, and now she has compiled her best tips for training and showing in one highly enjoyable book. Her expertise, good stories and good humor are destined to bring out the best in dressage riders and their "not-so-perfect" horses everywhere.Trade ReviewSimple cures and solutions to common problems – brilliant! ... Not everyone has a top dressage horse but that doesn't mean you can't achieve great things – this book shows you how.From the start, Foy makes the book easy for readers. Foy's refreshing honesty made me read on. In fact, this book is sort of inoculation against training despair. She is outright in telling self-deprecating, humorous tales about her long journey from rodeo queen to dressage queen. ... In the future, any problem that presents itself, this book will be the first place I will go for help.What is perfect is the way this book is put together. With little effort, you can find your problem and get a workable solution. We love Foy's insistence that horses are individuals with physical and mental limitations and how she works with those issues. She believes in developing a strong foundation, so her explanations start with where your horse's basics might be weak.The book is divided into three sections . . . each section includes chapters on individual movements, making it easy to find exactly the kind of insight and help you might need. The book is well-organised and easy to understand and makes for a good read for those of us with 'imperfect horses'.Table of ContentsIntroductionQuick reference PART ONE — Building a Solid Foundation 1. The Rider 2. Always So Basic 3. The Warm-Up 4. Half-Halts and Simple Transitions 5. Stretching the Frame on the Circle 6. Leg-Yield 7. Begin the Pendulum of Elasticity — Trot and Canter Lengthenings 8. The Walk 9. Shoulder-In 10. Travers and Renvers 11. The Halt and the Rein Back PART TWO — Achieving Success at Medium (Third and Fourth) Level 12. Turn-on-the-Haunches and Walk Pirouette 13. Strengthening the Pendulum — Third Level and Above 14. Counter-Canter 15. Half-Pass 16. Flying Changes PART THREE — The Pinnacle of Dressage 17. Pendulum in Full Swing — Fourth Level Through Grand Prix 18. The Zig-Zag 19. Tempi Changes 20 Piaffe 21. Passage 22. Canter Pirouettes 23. Have Fun! Afterword Index

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Book SynopsisThe only book available on creating and managing professional-grade rings, pens, arenas, and tracks for riding and competing horses.

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Book SynopsisEvery movement of the rider's body starts in the brain. In these pages, Olympic competitor and coach Marc Noelke explains how to direct the specific areas of the brain that control stability, sense of rhythm, precision of movement, breathing, and vision. With his unique brain-focused exercises, riders learn how to change the input sent to their brain to get healthier, more athletic output, which can include intentional and unintentional movement, and functions of circulatory, hormonal, or immune systems. The brain decides how you ride and how you feel when you ride based on the input you send it. Traditionally equestrians have worked to improve the brain's output (riding skills) by training the output (riding skills). Noelke's innovative "Neuro-Rider Program" is based on achieving better output (better riding skills), not by endlessly practicing the movements, but instead by changing the input-what you send to your brain for it to process and interpret. In a series of over 40 unique exercises, Noelke helps riders improve the signals they send to their brain from the: - Proprioceptive system - Visual system - Vestibular system - Respiratory system Regular practice will improve the rider's overall performance as well as address specific issues, such as: - Coordination and fine-tuning of the aids - Body symmetry - Head posture - Hand position - Anxiety in certain situations - Inappropriate emotions and emotional responses - Difficulties with rhythm - Unlevel hips - Shoulder crookedness - Focus and concentration In time, Neuro-Rider training will make you feel lighter on horseback, help you follow the horse's movements more naturally, increase your relaxation in the saddle, and enable you to become more effective overall. With options to perform exercises on or off the horse, this book offers a practical way for any rider-regardless of age, ability, discipline, or time-to steadily improve in distinct and profound ways.

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Book SynopsisWhen horsewoman and certified personal trainer Joyce Kramer discovered that the riders most committed to fitness were not reaping the benefits of their improved athleticism on horseback, she abandoned the standard protocol for developing strength, endurance, and stability. Her background in the study of movement and holding patterns enabled her to develop her own unique approach to physical training capable of improving riding function and performance in such dramatic ways, it can bring out what she calls the inner elite rider in everyone.Using phenomenal hand-drawn imagery and engaging photographs of her own students at work, Kramer begins her book by clarifying the four most important ingredients to riding in harmony with an equine partner, as well as the aspects that nurture a sense of feel in the rider:- Alignment- Centering- Grounding- Positive TensionThe second part of the book focuses on rider position, deconstructing the body's sections and again using imagery to enable readers to connect all their parts into one cohesive, breathing, supple whole. An optimal position allows the horse to carry the rider comfortably and efficiently, promoting performance to the very best of his ability.Finally, Kramer takes the reader on a journey to the deep core, which she has identified as key not only to limiting extraneous movement of the exterior body visible to others, but also to the energy exchange at the most exciting level of connection with a horse. Bones, internal organs, and spinal stabilizers are engaged on the ground and in the saddle, using sound cues, proprioceptive props, and imagery, with mind-blowing results.With hundreds of images, tips, and exercises that can be modified according to age and ability, and an excitingly fresh perspective, this book can be the key to any rider reaching the next level in the saddlewhether that means excelling in a whole new division of competition, or recovering or rebuilding after time away from the sport. Every page is full of fun, engaging answers to your riding questions, ideas for clearing your stumbling blocks, and the endless promise of pursuing an activity you love in the company of your horse.

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Book SynopsisThe goal of a relaxed and willing horse crosses disciplines. Whether striving toward competitive goals in the show ring, working long hours on the ranch, or simply enjoying a leisurely trail ride, a horse that is supple in body, relaxed in mind, and light in the hand will be better able to perform, and stay sound and healthy while doing it. The exercises in these pages are a classically correct and horse-friendly starting point to building a routine you can rely on to prepare your horse in the best way possible for training or performance, or to cool him down afterward. The author has organized them in three categories: - Exercises to relax and supple the horse from back to front (longitudinally). - Exercises to relax and supple the horse from the circle and other arena tracks and figures. - Exercises to relax and supple the horse from side to side (laterally). Addressing both general training targets and specific issues, the relaxation exercises include: - A summary of their benefits. - Explanations of what they are not likely to accomplish (their limitations). - Prerequisites that ensure the exercise is done safely and correctly. - Instructions on how to begin and complete it. - Troubleshooting-an idea of where things are likely to go wrong with either the rider or the horse. With lovely photographs for inspiration, and explanatory illustrations and diagrams to help instruct readers in the practical application of each lesson, this is a fundamental book for all riders who desire a healthy, happy equine partner who can perform his very best with ease and comfort.

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Book SynopsisHow a Grand Prix dressage rider competed at the highest level before finding her way to liberty work, and the extraordinary lessons that molded her perceptions, understandings, and feelings along the way.

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