Rider Biomechanics begins by explaining fascia - the 'cinderella of body tissues'. Until recently, this was ignored by science, consigned to its apparent role as the body's packing material. However, research shows that, in reality, this biological fabric links muscles into functional chains, rather like strings of sausages. Recent research has shown that the horse's fascial system is remarkably similar to our own, with equivalent 'lines of pull' that affect posture, movement, stability and mobility. Inevitably, the problems inherent in sitting and riding well are magnified when there is imbalance within and between the fascial 'guy-ropes' of rider and/or horse. We should realise that imbalance in either partner can send the other 'out of true', whilst the 'equipoise' of one partner helps the other to regain that poise. By working through this book, you will learn to access and rebalance your own fascial net to significantly improve your stability, skill and 'feel'. Practical exercises, enhanced with copious photographs and diagrams, show how to balance your front and back, left and right - yielding skills that simultaneously address the equivalent imbalances in your horse. Mary explains how effective force transmission within the fascial system enables riders to push their hands forward, taking away the temptation to pull on the reins. Later chapters show how twists and distortions in both human and horse can be addressed through accessing the fascial lines that wrap diagonally around the body. Lastly, a look at the core of both partners shows just how profound their connection can be.

Aimed at the first-time pony owner, this book provides sound and practical advice on all aspects of finding, buying and caring for a pony. Beautifully illustrated throughout, Pony Care: A Complete Guide to Buying and Caring for Your First Pony is an essential step-by-step guide for the non-horsey parent. Topics include: Points to consider before buying, how to find and try the right pony and when to buy Where to keep the pony, transport Daily routine, feeding, health and exercise Shoeing, tack and equipment, clipping and turnout Selling the pony. Written in an accessible and light-hearted style, readers will benefit from Alison's wealth of experience and gain a true insight into what is involved in owning a pony.

Hazel had been scared of horses all her life, and an earlier attempt to overcome her fear had ended in failure. She was still overcoming fear in other areas, travelling around the world with her job, reporting on areas recovering from war, famine, disease and catastrophe. And eventually she took up riding again - only to face bigger fears, when illness struck her. Even worse, her father's dementia grew so bad that her mother had a heart attack and Hazel had to put her father into a home. As poor health threatened to derail her career, and family tragedy looked likely to break her heart, she was loaned a big old horse called Duke. He stood far taller than her at every point, and she was afraid. Yet somehow, as she rode him through the Hampshire countryside, she found solace and healing. Gradually her fears began to subside.

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.

Mike Tucker was born into a life of farming and horses. His passion and hard work enabled him to progress from international groom to successful international event rider, top level Eventing official and television commentator. The pinnacle of Mike's career as a commentator was covering Nick Skelton's Gold Medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016 for the BBC. In `The Man Behind the Mike' we learn about Mike's family history and the connection with the Badminton Estate where his grandfather farmed; The Beaufort Pony Club, a huge influence in his life with many top level riders being members; a visit to Australia, staying with the Roycroft family, which proved to be a pivotal moment in his efforts to become a successful event rider; and about Mike's second place at Badminton, which laid the foundations of his credibility as a rider and commentator. The `voice behind the microphone' had the experience and knowledge to commentate with authority and to command respect from the listening public at venues of not just horse trials but also show jumping, dressage, and shows in general. The wealth of experience and lifetime involvement in the world of equestrian sport has enabled him to travel all over the world meeting many different people and sharing his expertise. We are told many funny, revealing, fascinating and sometimes sad anecdotes of his experiences of the successes and failures along the way and we are given a true insight into the real stories behind the headlines, and `The Man Behind the Mike'.

From learning how to jump obstacles with a horse in Modern Pentathlon to competing in triathlons in France, this is an action packed autobiography of someone sharing her dream to become a world champion in the difficult sport years of apartheid. Dr Sibis Mouton speaks to us from the heart as she ranges through her childhood, her family, her travels around the world and her internal journeys, heart aches and victories. Life experiences like swimming with the dolphins in the Miami Keys or photographing the famous Masai Mara Migration in Kenya are given deeper spiritual significance, taking us with the author on a mystical journey to discover the meaning and purpose of life. This is an uplifting and inspiring story demonstrating that life is indeed a miracle to be enjoyed and treasured.

Heart to Heart with Your Horse is about how to be a better coach for yourself and your horse, so you can learn how to bring out the best in both of you. It will help you to learn more about yourself and what is important to you about riding and being with horses. It offers coaching tips, practical exercises, information and ideas that will enable you to improve your relationship with your horse, enjoy yourself more, gain more confidence and find the encouragement and support you need to progress.

On horsemanship deals with the selection, care and training of horses in general. Military training and the duties of the cavalry commander are dealt with in the Hipparchicus.Written in about 350 BC, the treatises of Xenophon were considered the earliest extant works on horsemanship in any literature.

Have you got what it takes to make a successful career from teaching riding? Would you like to know how to make yourself indispensable to your clients? Ross Algar offers first-hand advice on how to establish yourself in this field of work and then how to move up the ranks. He explains how to deal with almost every type of client (children, teenagers, and more mature riders), whether they be competition riders or pleasure riders, confident or nervous riders, and whatever their chosen discipline. He tells you how best to assist your clients with their immediate goals and long-term aims, and how to conduct yourself professionally at all times. With essential advice for practically every teaching situation, this is an equine career training book like no other.

Learn to Ride is a 96 page child's workbook written with an emphasis on safety and fun. It is a book recommended for Horse Camps and private instruction to assist in teaching 6-12 year old children beginning horsemanship.

Some horses drive their riders to distraction by simply not moving under the saddle, and nothing the rider does seems to stimulate them. This book discusses the possible causes for a lack of motivation--from physical problems or incorrect feeding to permanent under- or over-demand of the horse--and it outlines solutions that can recover a seemingly hopeless situation. It shows how, with discipline and creativity, it is possible to turn an idle creature into a motivated competition or leisure horse.

Drawing on the theories of the old masters of dressage, Lessons in Lightness:
The Art of Educating the Horse shows how both horse and rider can greatly benefit from traditional dressage techniques and exercises. Written by a veteran horse trainer with more than thirty years of experience, this is the only book that takes the core elements of classical dressage and applies them as the basis for good general horsemanship today.
With this step-by-step program, both horse and rider learn from each other. The rider is taught to focus on subtle nuances of communication, while the horse develops gymnastically so he can respond correctly to the aids. Once the horse masters the basic exercises, the rider not only has a very rideable horse, but also one that can perform and advance in almost any discipline for which it is suited--from dressage and show jumping to Western pleasure and performance riding.
An exploration into the horse's physiological and psychological state is the basis for building that strong bond most riders yearn to achieve. Learning lightness opens the door to the art of riding.