A heartwarming collection of stories from a woman who brings together disadvantaged children and abandoned racehorses, with remarkable results. Thirteen-year-old Sophie hadn't uttered a word to anyone for over two years when she got out of her parents car at a remote farm in Devon. Her parents were beside themselves with worry, and at the end of their tether, but try as they might, nothing seemed to make a difference. They'd heard about a place called Greatwood through friends - where owners Helen and Michael Yeadon looked after retired racehorses - and decided to take Sophie along for a visit. Helen asked Sophie to help her change the dressings on the infected cuts on the legs of Darcy Day, one of their more troubled horses, and it was instantly clear that these two had some kind of special connection. Darcy Day would normally back away from people, but this time she lowered her head and stepped forward, to let Sophie stroke her nose. It was the start of an incredible relationship that would transform both horse and child, and it gave Michael and Helen an idea. They registered as a charity, moved to bigger premises, and began inviting children with a wide range of learning disabilities to volunteer to help with the animals. The results were amazing - traumatised horses and anxious or disturbed children bonded with each other, and every week little miracles were happening before their eyes. Boys with diagnoses such as Asperger's Syndrome or Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or those who'd been excluded from school for unruly behaviour, flourished through the discipline of working on the farm. Girls made timid and anxious by abusive backgrounds or school bullies came out of the shells. In this book are twenty of the most incredible tales of children who were given back their futures by the unique and extraordinary institution of Greatwood.

"Flyball Racing: The Dog Sport for Everyone"
Imagine four dogs, competing against each other side-by-side on two separate racing lanes. Then picture a packed crowd of spirited spectators waiting to hear "Get Your Ball" and the excited barking of the competitors at the cue to start the race. If you can envision racing lanes with four jumps, spaced ten feet apart, and a Flyball box at the end of each laneyou know the thrill of Flyball Racing. The anticipation of a great race is just one of the resaons that Flyball Racing has become such a popular sport for dog enthusiasts all over the world. The enthusiasm pervades this comprehensive book that includes all of the details about this fun and friendly competition.

"Flyball Racing: The Dog Sport for Everyone" is the perfect guide for everyone from the novice participant to the experienced competitor. You will be taught how Flyball Racing has developed from its humble beginnings in a wood shop to a sport that, due to its large number of participants, has become a more formalized competition. You'll find out that all breeds (including mixed breeds) are eligible for play, how to train your dog for the sport, the equipment you need and the rules and regulations that direct all facets of Flyball Racing.

Other chapters include teamwork and how to build your own team, the role of the North American Flyball Association, how to get into competition and how to host a tournament. There is even a special section that breaks down the individual parts of flyball training in a performance checklist. The text of Flyball Racing is enhanced by numerous photos of competition in action that illustrate the spirit of the sport. An indispensable guide toa thrilling relay race, Flyball Racing is the ideal book to own, learn from and refer back to as you enjoy the competition.
A Howell Dog Book of Distinction

Pilates is an invigorating and proven body conditioning method which helps to strengthen the core muscles used in riding, whilst simultaneously restoring the body's balance. In light of this Pilates for Equestrians is packed with colourful, easy to follow photographs, listing common rider injuries and niggles, with a list of core strengthening exercises to help maintain a more flexible, leaner, fitter body.

In "Sixty Years of Welsh Champions," breed expert Dr Wynne Davies presents a complete record of equine champions from the Royal Welsh Show, 1947-2007. Arranged chronologically, each year lists the female and male champions from each of the four Sections, displaying their pedigree charts (going back to the great-great-grandparents), and records details of the breeder and exhibitor. Each entry is accompanied by a photograph, some of which have never before appeared in print. In addition, the introduction to the book offers a brief history of the show, detailing the changes in the Section classes and the story behind the fluctuation in the number of entries. Both a beautifully presented book with numerous stunning photos, and an exhaustive record of the event at the heart of the Welsh breeders calendar, this is a must have for every Welsh Pony and Cob enthusiast.

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

A self-test and revision aid for candidates working towards the BHS Stage 2 assessment Based on the Stage 2 syllabus, this innovative workbook is designed to make revision entertaining yet effective. It allows you to test your knowledge against the requirements of this assessment and contains a wealth of typical assessment questions - with, of course, many model answers.

Whoa! Don't get on a horse until you read this book.

Boost your self-confidence and get the most for your money with this one-of-a-kind companion guide to riding lessons.

Getting the Most from Riding Lessons gives you all the information you need to communicate effectively with your instructor and advance your riding skills outside of lesson time. Following the easy, step-by-step instructions, you'll learn how to:

-- Warm up and condition key riding muscles

-- Brush up the basics

-- Perfect the use of the aids

-- Improve control and coordination

-- Master diagonals, evasions, and collection

-- Advance to jumping and showing

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.

Give your horse a gorgeous look! Charni Lewis provides step-by-step instructions for 30 mane and tail braids for both casual outings and specialized events of all riding styles. Full-color photographs and detailed illustrations bring every twist and turn to life, while also clearly demonstrating proper hand positioning. Get inspired and experiment with a Scalloped mane braid or a Four-Strand Weave for the tail. Not only will your horse look great, the time you spend braiding will help develop that special bond between you and your horse.

A guide to stable design - practical and full of inspiration and advice. Among the detailed topics discussed are: * Basic requirements of a good stable * Planning a yard - optimum layout and planning permission * Constructing and kitting out stables - flooring, drainage, roofing, walls, doors, windows, stable fittings * Key yard constructions - e.g. feed rooms, tack rooms, rug storage areas, washing-down rooms * Turnout, schooling and training facilities - e. g. lungeing arenas, outdoor and indoor schools * Services, fire precautions and waste disposal - drainage, electricity and water supply, muck disposal, safety * Converting existing buildings, and maintenance and repair The basic principles of good stable design are relevant for all horses and ponies - so whether accommodating an Olympic equine athlete or a family pony, any horse or pony in your care should be housed in a safe environment which caters adequately for his needs - and this book shows you how

If you have ever wished you could get your horse to consistently perform to the best of his ability, On Target Training is for you. This effective new method combines the basics of clicker training (widely used on marine mammals and dogs) with a step-by-step target system that assures training success for any breed or any age horse. Karrasch explains reward reinforcement training in a way that makes it easy to learn. She guides the reader through all the basics, including teaching the bridge signal (using the clicker) and employing hand-held and stationary targets; she then cover aspects of training horses both on the ground and under saddle. Training advice is provided for: specific riding disciplines jumping, Western riding, dressage, and trail; behavior problems; trailer loading; working with young horses; and last of all, just for fun, teaching tricks. Shawna says: "A degree in psychology is not required to train animals. It is, however, helpful. All of the work we do as animal trainers (with horses too) is based in psychology, whether we are aware of it or not. The more you understand about these proven principlesthe better you are as a trainer. The focus of my training is helping people to gain a better understanding of behavioral psychology and the benefits of positive reinforcement in regards to horse training. I chose to make the move to horses partly due to the lack of positive reinforcement being used with horses. I recognized that horses were not trained the same as the marine mammals. I also saw that the training we implemented at Sea World would be a huge asset to the horse world. A lot of horse people, including professionals, don't know much about the proven principles of behavioral psychology. Therefore, I see a bigger need in helping horse folk to further understand the principles that govern the relationships we build with our horses.. It is really fun to see the light come on "

This is the first volume in a series of course books for career students and exam candidates preparing for the Stage 1 exam of the British Horse Society. It includes an examination planner, in-text self-assessment questions, BHS syllabus checklist points throughout the text, and examination tips from BHS examiners including common mistakes made. This book deals with the stable management syllabus and the ridden elements of the test.

Concise, easy-to-read book explains why and how horses behave the way they do. It describes methods by which behavior problems can be PREVENTED, and methods which can be used to correct existing problems. Dr. Miller explains how every horse inherits ten character traits that influence its behavior. These ten traits are embedded deep within the horse's DNA and shared, without exception, by every horse that was ever born. Understanding these 10 traits is essential to optimum communication with the horse, and is the reason the current revolution in natural horsemanship is so successful. If you understand how your horse thinks, you can control its behavior. You can teach your horse to: - ignore the "spooky" stuff - stand quietly while tied - accept routine veterinary and farrier work - come when called - overcome "barn sour" or "herd bound" behavior - load into a trailer calmly and willingly - respect you as a leader - yield its head, neck, feet and hindquarters - respond positively whether at a show, on the trail or in the stable In addition, Dr. Miller, who is the originator of imprint training of newborn foals, also includes an in depth discussion of this method in the book. Are you unwittingly teaching your horse how to misbehave? Find out from the expert on equine behavior

In this book, Jim Masterson, Equine Massage Therapist for the 2006 and 2008 and 2010 USET Endurance Teams, and for equine clientele competing in FEI World Cup, Pan American and World Games competitions, teaches a unique method of equine bodywork, in which the practitioner recognizes and follows the responses of the horse to touch to release tension in key junctions of the body that most affect performance. This practical book: contains step-by-step instructions, photographs and illustrations; is ideally suited to accompany you to the barn, where you will practice the Masterson Method techniques on horses; includes chapters with tips & techniques, anatomical explanations and examples from Jim's practice help deepen your understanding; has a quick reference section that will point you to exercises that are specifically suited to your particular discipline--dressage, endurance, eventing, show jumping, barrel racing, or others in the vast realm of horse sports. By using these techniques, and knowing the responses to look for, you are able to: achieve a release of accumulated stress in deep-seated key junctions of the horse's body that affects mobility, comfort, attitude, training and performance; restore muscular and structural balance, and natural alignment; enable your horse to perform optimally and respond to your training without stiffness and pain and, finally, achieve new levels of communication and trust with your horse that spill over into other areas of interaction.

Possessing the right mind-set and relevant mental skills has long been considered vital in achieving top performances in all sports. And yet, to many riders mental fitness still remains something of an afterthought. In Perfect Mind: Perfect Ride, the author demonstrates how to develop and achieve the right kind of attitude, motivation and mental skills to make the most of the rider's abilities whether it be riding as a recreation or as a competitive sport. Horses are highly sensitive flight animals - they'll react first and ask questions, well, never...! In essence, this means that every time riders get on their horse, they need to be fully committed, aware and in control of their body, their thoughts and their emotions, in order to communicate with their horse in precisely the right kind of manner. The combination of research in the field of sport and performance psychology and real-life examples contained in this book will help readers identify with and understand different topics. Current scientific theories surrounding sport and performance psychology are translated into practice, allowing readers to fully understand why they think, feel and act the way they do - and what they need to do to change it. Hands-on advice on how to develop relevant attitudes and mental skills will make Perfect Mind: Perfect Ride an essential companion for the rider wanting to get more out of the sport. Foreword by Mary King MBE

This is the fourth and final volume in this excellent series of textbooks prepared for college students on equine degree courses. Dealing with the business management side of working in the horse industry, readers will find advice on subjects such as: marketing and market research, preparing a business plan, raising finance, meeting investors, taxation and insurance, employing staff, finance management, VAT accounting, health and safety, and how to expand their business.

Derry Moore's photographs celebrate the extraordinary beauty in the trappings and traditions of the equestrian world. Offering a privileged glimpse into the lives of jockeys and cavalrymen, Spanish riding schools, and Midwestern rodeos, these pictures take the reader to paddocks, courses, and stables the world over and reveal the customs and passions of equestrian culture. From stablehands grooming before an English country hunt to blacksmiths shoeing showhorses to pull royal carriages in Spain, and from immaculate dressage riders at Chantilly to roughshod jockeys in the dusty fields of India, Moore's photographs offer a profound and romantic insight into the connection that binds us to these animals. With contributions from legendary owners and trainers, this elegant book paints a picture of an entire equestrian world, from the racecourses of Keeneland in Kentucky to the training stables at Newmarket, and from the majestic working Suffolk Punches to Frankel, the most valuable stud in the world. Moore's work-with a unique eye for character, not just in his portraits of the horses but in the details of their surroundings-is a fitting celebration of a lifestyle that continues to inspire.

Christoph Hess, a Federation 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.