Riding, showjumping and horsemanship Books

Book SynopsisWorld-renowned equine expert Linda Tellington-Jones' healing equine bodywork and innovative training methods have revolutionised the horse training landscape over the last 50 years. Her unique blend of hands-on TTouch (a collection of circles, lifts, and slides done with the hands over various parts of the horse's body), combined with humane groundwork and under-saddle exercises, has helped solve training and behavioural problems for horses of every breed, every discipline, every age, and all levels. Now she is presenting a thoughtful recipe for starting the young horse without stress, helping to establish the very best beginning, in hand and under saddle. Unfortunately, not all horses have the benefit of the right foundation, which can lead to misunderstanding, mistreatment, and unhappiness for both human and horse. With this in mind, Tellington-Jones also curates her own experience working with older horses ready for a second chance at life, providing the necessary tools for filling in training 'holes' and reconfirming lessons that may have been poorly taught or forgotten. The result is a book with all the right ingredients and its heart in the right place: Whether starting right or starting over, Tellington-Jones's field-tested, compassionate answers are an excellent way to find connection while ensuring the horse a lifetime of success in the company of humans.Trade ReviewHorse lovers who like the methods and books of Pat Parelli and John Lyons, who wrote an introduction to this book, will appreciate this volume. * Library Journal *With plenty of white space, 364 colour photographs and 81 colour illustrations, this book is a pleasure to read. * Western Horseman *Keep this one nearby; you'll want to refer to it again and again! * Horsemen's Yankee Pedlar *Linda's fabulous new book is by far the best that has ever been published on her TTouch Work. * Trail Blazer *A heavyweight in any horse lover's book collection. * Equine Wellness *Table of ContentsForeword by Magali Delgado and Frédéric Pignon PART 1: STARTING POINTS 1. Introduction 2. The heart of the Tellington TTouch Method PART 2: SENSIBLE STEPS 3. Start where you can 4. Groundwork equipment 5. Observation and trust exercises 6. The Tellington TTouches 7. Dance steps 8. Playground for Higher Learning 9. Ground driving PART 3: HAPPY PROGRESS 10. Time to saddle up! 11. Parting words Tellington Training Checklist Acknowledgements Index

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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 SynopsisShows how to teach both horse and rider to jump show jumps and cross county fences with confidence at all stages of horse and rider development, from novices to advanced level competitors. This book serves as a reference for the career instructor following the British Horse Society examination system.Table of Contents1. Introduction; 2. The evolution of modern jumping; 3. The biomechanics of jum ping; 4. Psychology of horse and rider; 5. Teaching the novice rider; 6. Developing the rider; 7. Cross-country training; 8. Riding a course - introducing the rider to XC; 9. Cross-country jumps; 10. Advanced development of the rider; 11. The novice horse: development on the flat; 12. The novice horse: loose jumping and lungeing; 13. Developing athletic jumping; 14. Going to a show; 15. Equipment; 16. Competition riding; 17. Teaching for examinations.

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Book SynopsisAn enlarged and completely updated edition of a standard textbook widely used by students and professionals alike throughout the equine industry. This classic work covers the management of mares and stallions, conception, pregnancy, foaling, the care of the foal, youngsters, and breeding stock. It demonstrates what can go wrong and what action to take, and includes the latest technological developments and research data. Packed with line, halftone, and colour photographs, this marvellous new edition will be of inestimable value, not only to stud owners, but also to a new generation of students seeking a career in horse breeding.

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Book SynopsisA unique book combining the talents of an exercise specialist, physical therapist, and gifted rider. Together, they've created a whole new exercise and stretching program to practice off the horse and improve your performance on the horse.

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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 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 SynopsisWhat does the horse feel when a rider is crooked in the saddle? What is it like to go faster or slower, to round curves and travel straight, with an unbalanced load to carry? What goes through the horse's mind when he is over-flexed and over-aided...when he is forced into biomechanically unsound positions? What happens when a prey animal (the horse) must learn to defeat his own preservation instinct and perform on cue with a predator (humankind) clinging to his back? In this important book, Dr. Ulrike Thiel-a clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, sport psychologist, dressage rider, riding instructor, judge, and Xenophon Society classical trainer-examines these important questions, and others. With the use of exercises and astute comparisons, Thiel gives readers an eye-opening tour of the realm of the ridden dressage horse, ensuring we all work to make the job of "being ridden" part of a mutual pursuit-a dance involving two engaged and caring partners, a friendship binding mind and body.

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Book SynopsisThe book outlines the connections within - the different factors affecting the horse/rider partnership (e.g. rider biomechanics, horse posture and proprioception, saddle balance, mental focus, how horses learn). Lindsay looks at how we can improve our own biomechanics, explains dysfunction patterns in the rider's body, and offers cutting-edge anti-spasm and nerve-mobility exercises to improve the rider's shock-absorption capacity. A chapter on fluidity and flow provides a unique standing exercise series to mobilise postural lines and unwind stuck patterns. There is an 8-week conditioning programme of short workouts, focussing on balancing the hip muscles and spinal mobility; and for the horse, a selection of highly effective exercises to improve his posture, carriage and muscle recruitment. There are tricks and tips to reduce training trials and tribulations, including how to sit even the biggest-moving horse's trot. She even explains how to teach your horse a language of aids for clear communication between horse and rider. The mind/body connection is also examined, using Emotional Freedom Technique to reduce performance anxiety and develop the skills of mental rehearsal - absolutely vital for creating and stimulating neural pathways for learning dressage tests, jumping a confident show jumping round or even just hacking without fear affecting performance.Trade Review'Whether you just enjoy hacking out or you have serious competition ambitions, this book will help you understand all about biomechanics and how to apply it when you are in the saddle.' * Horse Magazine *"Wilcox-Reid is an experienced dressage trainer who applies her knowledge of animal behavior, biomechanics and psychology to deepen the bond between horse an human and help you achieve equestrian mastery." * Pilates Style magazine *

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Book SynopsisKarin Blignault has combined theory and experimentation to develop a system of training (and teaching) that is straightforward, fast and brings real results. The methods described in this book teach riders to achieve rhythm, balance, suppleness and the round flexor frame in their horses - and quickly. Most riding books, including those by classical masters, focus on 'what to do' rather than 'how to do'. This book is different. For example, Karin explains how you can apply your body in riding, rather than focusing primarily on your body position, and thus your riding position automatically becomes correct. She believes that riders should learn to control the whole horse as soon as possible and uses four exercises to teach riders control of the horse's head, his shoulders, his ribcage and his hindquarters. The results are immediate. These exercises are the building blocks of the shoulder-in and the half halt, which are the cornerstones of balanced riding. They are used to improve every movement in dressage and jumping.

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Book SynopsisWhile there are many excellent books that help the rider to address the technical goals of dressage, Ride from the Heart can transform the way in which the reader communicates with his horse. Rider and trainer Jenny Rolfe has written this book to share the experiences she gained in Portugal, a country with a long and spiritual history of classical training. For many years Jenny has been writing articles about classical horsemanship and her innovative techniques - particularly communication through breathing - which aim for ultimate lightness and empathy in riding have been met with much interest. Through techniques used in loose work, work in-hand and under saddle, the reader will be on the way to enhancing a sense of 'feel', which in turn will encourage oneness and a spirit of dance between horse and rider. The book underlines throughout, the importance of maintaining a bond of leadership, respect and friendship with our horse and within the pages are important tools for achieving these goals. Wherever you are within your level of training, this book will help to enhance and enrich your relationship with your horse so that art may be formed through love.Trade ReviewLearn to communicate with your horse with breath-energy awareness. Jenny teaches a deeper connection from the ground and in the saddle. -- Reviewer, Horse & Rider * Horse & Rider *

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Book SynopsisSchooling the horse is not just about riding - many problems or misunderstandings between horse and rider can, and should be, sorted out on the ground before attempting to ride at all. This book explains how to school your horse from the ground, starting with fundamental techniques, and gives progressive exercises to work through. It explains the importance of stretching work, how to establish a correct outline, and how to build strength and suppleness. Remedial work is also included to improve crookedness, unbalance, and stiffness, for example. Also covered is the use of training aids where necessary, and schooling over ground poles and cavaletti, as well as jumping the horse on the lunge. Observing your horse working without a rider gives you valuable insight as to the correctness of his paces, how his muscle development can be improved, and his general attitude and willingness. When your horse is moving beautifully on his own, there is no reason why he cannot do the same with you in the saddle.Trade ReviewFor novices, there are lots of tips to help you - the handler - get it right. Horse Magazine

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Book SynopsisAt last a book that demystifies the communication system between rider and horse. Equestrian sports physiologist Eckart Meyners, and Hannes Muller, head instructor for the German National Riding School, show how good riding is a three-dimensional dialogue. Beginning with a thorough explanation of the classical training scale and a six-step program to build balance and rhythm, Meyners and Muller go on to three basic riding techniques -the flexing technique, the bending technique, and the half-halt technique, which they believe to be the foundation for all training. These are the primary skills for riding in dialogue with a horse. Throughout, exercises are provided to refine technique and work through the training scale, finally achieving the skill level necessary for horse and rider to work in collection.Trade ReviewEffortless communication is what every rider aims to achieve with their horse - and this book holds the key. It combines the expertise of a sports physiologist and the head of the German National Riding School Horse Magazine "Through detailed explanation and a range of exercises to refine techniques and preparation, the book aims to show how to build balance and rhythm" NYU Countryside Magazine

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Book SynopsisWith an astounding eighteen medals in eight international championships and team gold medals at the Olympic Games in 1976 and 1984, Jack Le Goff created the standard by which modern-day equestrian teams are measured. But Le Goff's techniques could be unforgiving — tough, brutal, and abrasive — earning him critics as well as converts. In this, his autobiography, Le Goff tells the whole story, from impoverished beginnings in Morocco, to the tragic death of his father, to his successes as a competitive equestrian. Readers will enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of high-level international equestrian sport, as well as an entire section devoted to Le Goff's much admired and extremely successful training philosophy.Trade ReviewReaders will enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of high-level equestrian sport, as well as an entire section devoted to Le Goff's much-admired and extremely successful training philosophy. Table of ContentsForeword by David O'ConnorPreface Acknowledgements Part 1: The Learning Years 1. Twenty Kilos is All! 2. A Horseman is Born 3. Making the Team! 4. And Off to War I went 5. Women and a Changing Sport Part 2: The Coaching Years 6. The Best Laid Plans 7. Coming to America 8. I Meet the Queen and the US Team Becomes 'A Threat to be Reckoned With' 9. The System 10. 1975 Pan Am Games 11. The Road to Montreal 12. Might Tango 13. Badminton and Burghley and the Olympic Games - Oh My! 14. Luhmuhlen and Los Angeles 15. A new and Different Role Part 3: The FEI Years 16. Judging 17. The FEI Three-Day Eventing Committee Part 4: The Le Goff Philosophy 18. On Dressage 19. On Conditioning the Event Horse 20. On Preparing for Cross-Country 21. On Show Jumping 22. On the Riders 23. On Cross-Country Courses Part 5: The Past and The Future 24. The Crossing of the Desert: The US Three-Day Event Team 1984-1996 25. Where the Sport is Going 26. What it Means to be a Coach, What it Means to be Disciplined Afterword: Retirement, This Time for Good Appendix 1: The Circle of Champions Appendix 2: Lifetime Achievement Record of Jack Le Goff Appendix 3: Development of the Olympic Eventing Format Index

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