In no uncertain terms, this book asks what it means to be a responsible rider, and whether, in today's society, it is indeed possible for equestrians in any horse sport to put the good of the horse first and foremost, and above ambition and fame. With vibrantly clear illustrations of the horse's anatomy and how it is impacted by various riding techniques, Balancing Act presents proof that, although some steps have been taken to prevent the use of forceful and cruel techniques, many sport horses still perform in pain and discomfort. With fabulous art to help show the anatomy of the horse and multiple examples of poor riding in pictures so that the reader can avoid similar pitfalls, Dr. Heuschmann gives all of us reasons to examine ourselves and those around us through the lens of the horse's welfare. Readers will also find five chapters full of researched and proven recommendations for retraining horses with behavioural or biomechanical issues related to poor training techniques, including: the tense horse; the rein-lame horse; the horse with gait deviations; the hyperflexed horse; and the unbalanced horse that is completely off the aids. In paperback for the first time with new observations from the author, Balancing Act is for every conscientious horse person intent on riding and training with the good of the horse in mind.

A classic work on horses and horsemanship by one of the most acclaimed riders in show jumping history.

Horses are fascinating and perceptive creatures. Developing a thorough understanding of how a horse interprets the world around them and deliberately being self-aware as a rider, are the essential skills to a successful and fulfilling partnership. In The Psychology of Horsemanship, well-known equestrian author and horse expert, Claire Lilley, shares her passion and knowledge about horses and riders developed from over forty years' experience in the equestrian world, and more recently several years in the mental health profession. Divided into three sections, the book covers: Equine psychology - the horses's senses, primary responses and emotion; Training psychology - the rider's communication, training and learning from past experiences; Relational psychology - the goals, the development and the challenges faced in successful horsemanship. With high-quality photographs, diagrams and extended real-life examples, this book explores the application of psychology to the world of horses and how the understanding and evolvement of the horse-rider relationship impacts on both mental and physical development.

With her landmark first book Horse Speak: The Equine-Human Translation Guide, trainer Sharon Wilsie upended conventional methods of human equine communication (using words and ropes, for example) with her clear classification of the language horses use with each other (body, breath, and intent), as well as an unparalleled explanation of how we as humans can effectively mirror it. Learning to "listen" and "talk" to horses in their language, instead of expecting them to comprehend ours, is a milestone in the progressive philosophy of horsemanship, helping find positive solutions to behavior and training problems and ultimately leading to fewer misunderstandings between horses and humans. In her much anticipated follow up, Wilsie uses true stories to relate examples of "problems" and how they were solved using Horse Speak. Her engaging narrative introduces readers to dozens of real life scenarios from different barns, various disciplines, and riders and handlers with contrasting experiences and backgrounds. Wilsie highlights her Horse Speak process, the clues that point to the best course of action, and the steps she takes to connect with horses that have shut down, grown confused, or become sulky or aggressive for any number of reasons. The result is a book full of incredible insight and exciting possibilities.

It is an often-forgotten fact that horses played an important part in Winston Churchill's life. They were his escape in childhood, his challenge in youth, his transport in war, his triumph in sport and his diversion in old age. Renowned author, broadcaster and former jockey, Brough Scott, follows in Churchill's hoofprints from galloping his pony in Blenheim Park, to topping the riding class whilst army training at Sandhurst, taking part in a famous cavalry charge in Sudan, playing polo in India, hunting foxes in Leicestershire and breeding racehorses near his home in Kent, after a minor interlude out of the saddle to tend to the historic task of winning the Second World War.

My Animals and Other Family by Clare Balding is a funny, brave, tender story of self-discovery 'I had spent most of my childhood thinking I was a dog, and suspect I had aged in dog years.' Clare Balding grew up in a rather unusual household. Her father a champion trainer, she shared her life with more than 100 thoroughbred racehorses, mares, foals and ponies, as well as an ever-present pack of boxers and lurchers. As a toddler she would happily ride the legendary Mill Reef and take breakfast with the Queen. She and her younger brother came very low down the pecking order. Left to their own devices, they had to learn life's toughest lessons through the animals, and through their adventures in the stables and the idyllic Hampshire Downs. From the protective Candy to the pot-bellied Valkyrie and the frisky Hattie, each horse and each dog had their own character and their own special part to play. The running family joke was that "women ain't people". Clare had to prove them wrong, to make her voice heard - but first she had to make sure she had something to say. 'Moving, funny and larger than life' Michael Morpurgo 'Magical, enchanting, riotously eccentric' Daily Mail 'Funny and unexpectedly wise. Balding has lots of good stories to tell. It is impossible not to admire her honesty Mail on Sunday 'The reading equivalent of snuggling by the fire with a labrador' The Guardian

The Queen's Plate was inaugurated, with royal blessing, on Wednesday, June 27, 1860, at the Carleton track in Toronto, located in bucolic surroundings near what is now the traffic-strangled southwestern corner of Keele and Dundas streets. There is no reason to believe that Queen Victoria was a wild-eyed devotee of horse racing. However, Her Majesty granted the petition of the little turf club in the boisterous Upper Canada community (the population of Toronto was 44,425) and offered as an annual prize, "a plate to the value of Fifty Guineas." And thus Canadian horse racing was established as "the sport of royalty." Today, the Queen's Plate is the first jewel in Canada's Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing and the longest continuously run stakes race in North America. It takes place every June, and the first-place purse is $1 million. The Plate is unquestionably Canada's most famous, one-day social and sporting event. This book explores the colourful history of the Queen's Plate through words and archival photographs.

Lungeing and Long-Reining, published in association with The British Horse Society, is a step-by-step guide to training, exercising and suppling horses from the ground, written by Britain's leading exponent of the art. The book begins with advice on handling untrained youngsters and works through a logical training progression, culminating in advanced dressage movements. Straightforward guidance is given on: Training foals and young horses Lungeing equipment and technique Introducing long-reins and early lateral work Backing and riding young horses Lungeing over poles and fences Advanced long-reining; including cantering, rein-back, shoulder-in, travers, half pirouettes, half-pass, renvers, canter half-pass, canter pirouettes and tempi flying changes. Piaffe and passage Olympic dressage rider and trainer Jennie Loriston-Clarke has broken and schooled countless dressage and jumping horses, and initially uses lungeing and long-reining to establish the horse's basic education and create mutual respect between horse and handler. The knowledge she has gained over the years while working with novices and older 'difficult' horses sent for retraining, is distilled in this book into simple instructions, so that others can avoid making costly mistakes when training their horses. The goal throughout is to produce a horse that is confident, keen and happy in his work - which should be the aim of every trainer. Illustrated with specially commissioned sequence photographs, this book will prove particularly valuable in the early training of young horses, as well as in improving or retraining older horses, and refining dressage movements in advance horses.

This book is dedicated to the protection of horses, ponies and donkeys and is based on first-hand international experience from a lifetime spent with horses - hunting, racing and welfare - whether with The Pony Club, The Jockey Club or international horse charity. It covers all equines to the highest levels of performance - racing, show jumping, eventing and endurance riding and encourages all owners to care for their animals. Horses are beautiful animals that can work with their owners to the best effect; it is only right that they should all be cared for with respect so that the partnership is equal, one of working together and free from abuse. Christopher also looks at the world of working horses, donkeys and mules in the developing world, where they are often the only means of transporting people and goods, provide the only power to work the land and are essential for their owners' survival. He calls for them to be given closer attention and care and that training is given to the owners who may not be aware of how to care properly for their animals. He also writes about people in equestrian sports both nationally and internationally and the work of the major charity World Horse Welfare of which he was chairman, calling on his role as a leading regulator and lifelong horseman. He held one of the highest profile jobs in the Jockey Club, steward in charge of enforcing the rules of horse racing - and provides an insight into the high stakes world of racing where winning is everything. But whatever the activity or level, readers will be aware that horses are the real stars.

Cherry Hill has done it again: created a one-of-a-kind equestrian workbook that's sure to become a standard in the field. 101 Arena Exercises is a ringside exercise book for riders who want to improve their own and their horses's skills. The book is presented in unique "read-and-ride" format that allows it to be hung like a calendar for quick and easy reference.

Exercises -- suitable for both English and Western riders -- progress naturally from simple, basic skills such as the "Working Walk and Jog" to the more advanced "Two Squares" and "Flying Change." Hill presents recognized classic exercises along with her original patterns and maneuvers, offering a wide variety of useful drills for anyone who rides. In addition, 101 Arena Exercises is a valuable workbook for trainers and instructors interested in exploring new teaching methods.

Riding drills included are:

* Collected Canter

* Long and Low

* Loosen Up

* Circle and Leg Yield

* Trot-Halt-Back-Walk

* Zigzag Half Pass

* Long Serpentine

* Rollback

* Spiral

* Figure 8