Learning to ride should be fun, progressive and constructive, but all too often children can be frightened or put off. Teaching them is not easy. This book offers advice, exercises, lesson plans, games and teaching tips designed to provide variety and sound instruction, plus a range of innovative ideas for making learning to ride an enjoyable, worthwhile and satisfying experience, even for the very young.

In recent years dressage has been the fastest expanding equestrian discipline in Britain and many other countries around the world. As a result, a rapidly increasing number of people will need to know how to earn the marks in the arena and more judges will be needed to assess the tests. Judging dressage is a big subject and in The Dressage Judge's Viewpoint Jane Kidd has covered it in a concise, straightforward and clear way. This book is the ideal introduction to dressage and a valuable reference book not only for riders but also for judges and trainers. * Over 200,000 people ride a dressage test each year in Britain * Understanding the judge's perspective helps riders to improve their test performance, be it at their local riding club, at affiliated horse trials or international dressage * Illustrated throughout with clear, instructive photographs

Is your riding performance a series of peaks and troughs? Do you find it hard to concentrate on the right things? Are you easily distracted by negative thoughts? Do you lack self-confidence, fear it, or confuse it with arrogance? Does your riding lack goals and ambition? Do you prepare properly for competition? "A Sport Psychology Workbook for Riders" deals with these issues, and more, in a clear, realistic and sympathetic way. While the author clearly emphasizes the need for technical proficiency, she makes the point that becoming a truly competent rider involves much more than just technique. Effective riding is ultimately a two-way communication between rider and horse, and the benefits of the rider being relaxed, confident and focused are enormous. In this book, the reader is taught how to achieve this beneficial state through employing mental strategies that are used by top riders (and other athletes) whilst training and competing. These strategies are explained in logical, down-to-earth terms, cutting through the muddled and destructive thinking which so often bedevils performance. While the book focuses primarily upon preparation and performance in the competitive disciplines, the ideas and strategies expounded will be of equal value to all riders who want to achieve a happy and successful relationship with their horse. Furthermore, since sport psychology is the psychology of peak performance, the strategies on offer have many positive applications in daily life.

The successful bond between horse and rider is the basis for all work together. In this book, Kelly Marks shows the reader how to create a happy and productive partnership. Kelly describes the process known as 'join up', explains how body language affects the horse and the common mistakes to avoid. She also uses her interest in human psychology to look at the dark side of human treatment of horses and gives advice on stress relief and controlling anger.

Helps to understand the international equine terminology, with equivalent terms given in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. This dictionary covers a variety of areas connected with the horse, including breeds and breeding, stable management, saddlery, riding wear, equitation, jumping, dressage, driving and horse transport.

Not Quite a Horsewoman" has, since its publication in 1982, delighted thousands of aspirant riders and horse owners. Now in its third edition and embellished with even more delightful cartoons by Anne Pilgrim, it will entertain a new generation of horse lovers as Caroline Akrill reveals the frequent disasters and the occasional triumphs of her long association with a string of equine characters. Ambitions and aspirations fall by the wayside as she tells the story of her leading rein pony, the saga of her show hack and the tale of her season as a hunting columnist. She remembers her first stable yard where she was exploited by her own working pupils, her brief career as a dealer operating from a small village pub, and the agonies of professionally producing show ponies as their owners waited at the ring-side with their livery cheques still unwritten. Engagingly witty, endearingly frank, sometimes surprising, but always amusing, Caroline Akrill regards the horse from the safety of the stable door and scrutinises him with candour and affection.

Alexis-Francois L'Hotte (1825-1904) was a French general. He attended Saint-Cyr as a young cadet. Since at the time Saint-Cyr had no cavalry school, L'Hotte was sent to Ecole de Cavalerie at Saumur to pursue his equestrian talent. It was around this period that he became the pupil of both Francois Baucher and comte d'Aure. He returned to Saint-Cyr as commandant of the reopened cavalry section. In 1864 he became ecuyer en chef of the Ecole de Cavalerie. In 1875 he returned to Saumur as commandant of the Ecole de Cavalerie. He was considered by all to be the most outstanding ecuyer of the period. His two works Un Officer de cavalerie- Souvenirs (1905) and Questions equestres (1906) appeared posthumously. It was on his personal horses that L'Hotte practiced the teachings of Baucher. But as ecuyer en chef and commandant at Saumur, he was obliged to follow the teachings and rules of a military establishment. In this respect he was more in the d'Auriste idiom, practicing primarily exterior and military equitation. For not supporting more openly the teachings of Baucher when he was ecuyer en chef and commandant at Saumur he was, and still is, criticized.

The basis of ringcraft is to ensure that you give your pony the best possible chance of success in the ring. The art of presentation develops with experience as every show ring appearance presents new challenges. Understanding what the judges are looking for and being aware of your pony's good and bad points are fundamental steps in the learning process.

Lungeing can develop a horse both physically and mentally. Paul Fielder, an international dressage trainer, shows how his methods achieve this by working with nature and not against it. The techniques described take a horse from his initial assessment right through to engagement, collection and extension. Mouthing, equipment and work on energy and balance are covered and the clear, easy-to-follow, step-by-step photographs ensure that everyone who lunges horses can help them reach their full potential. All About Lungeing is an essential book for every horse owner's bookshelf.

Training Showjumpers has been the standard textbook on showjumping since it first appeared in 1978. This second edition has been updated with new photographs and a revised text. Anthony Paalman is internationally known as a showjumping trainer, consultant and course designer. He is an advocate of the Natural Method of training horses and riders derived from the classical principles of the European cavalry schools. His book is a complete guide to showjumping training, from selection and early training of the young horse right up to participation in the highest grade of competition. Contents include: Purchasing a Showjumper * Stabling * Shoeing * Tack * Breaking * Lungeing * Free Jumping * Schooling 'On Foot' * Jumping-Dressage * First Year Jumping Training * First Year Schooling Schedule * Novice Competitions * Advanced Jumping-Dressage * Improvement and Re-Schooling * The Second Showjumping Season * Junior Riders * Course Design

There is no book - there can be no book - that will infallibly point the way to successful bloodstock breeding. Yet in the General Stud Book, the sport of horse racing has produced a genetic record extending over more than two centuries and a score of generations that contains an ordered store of facts about the hereditary qualities of one living species - data that no scientific body possesses. Here is the recorded experience of the man who, above all others of our time, has deciphered the riddle of its manifold pages: Federico Tesio. Tesio and Nearco and Ribot are the names of the greatest breeder, the outstanding sire, and the most consistent winner of the twentieth century, and perhaps of all time. The astonishing and prolonged success of the Italian stud at Dormello was the result not merely of an encyclopaedic knowledge of recorded facts about equine dynasties and the history of the thoroughbred but of wide practical experience in all parts of the world and acute, sustained and minute observation of the characteristics of particular horses and bloodlines. The essence of Tesio's philosophy and something of his genius has been distilled into this gem of a book.

Training the Racehorse, first published in 1976 and widely considered the standard work in its field, will prove invaluable to anyone training, or aspiring to train, racehorses; it will also provide a captivating and thought-provoking insight for all racing fans. Tim Fitzgeorge-Parker provides a wealth of practical information on all aspects of finding, breaking, training and placing racehorses, and since this knowledge is drawn from his own experience and intimacy with many top trainers, the text is liberally sprinkled with anecdotes highlighting the humour and drama of the racing scene. A former pupil of the great Atty Persse, the author is a strong advocate of drawing upton the wisdom of ages. Making the point that our forefathers equine knowledge was born of necessity, he shows us impressive links between the methods of the old masters and those of today's most successful trainers. Now revised and enlarged to take account of the recent changes to the Rules of Racing, alterations to courses, and innovations such as all-weather tracks, Training the Racehorse will both entertain and instruct a new generation of racing enthusiasts.

If you have ever wondered how to pull a mane or tail, produce perfect plaits for the show ring or try one of the more unusual plaiting techniques, this book has the answers. Step by step, it shows you how to make the most of your horse's or pony's appearance - always with safety and comfort in mind. It helps you to decide what would suit a particular animal and details the finishing touches that produce a professional look. Traditional and less well-known turnout techniques are clearly illustrated and explained, making it an essential reference work for both the novice and the experienced. * All About Manes & Tails details everything you need to know about plaiting for all occasions * Packed with hints and easy-to-follow instructions, this is an indispensable guide to perfect turnout * Clear, instructional photographs throughout

After 1912, when the great cattle empires began to crumble, hundreds of seasoned cowboys found themselves jobless. A handful of discarded horsemen, however, stumbled upon an entirely new frontier-Hollywood. In a rare insider's view, Diana Serra Cary tells the story of these cowboys, who survived for another fifty years as riders, stuntmen, and doubles for the stars. Filled with humorous anecdotes, The Hollywood Posse reveals the full story of the cowboys' long and bitter feud with autocratic director Cecil B. De Mille; their relationships with the great Western stars-from the flamboyant Tom Mix to the durable John Wayne; and above all, their touching loyalty, code of honor, and devotion to each other.

Successful clipping is a mixture of skill and confidence, and this book shows you how to acquire both. Step by step, the easy-to-understand text and photographs take you from choosing the right clip for your horse or pony to the finished picture. The emphasis is on safety and keeping the horse happy. There are lots of tips that will enable both the novice and the experienced clipper to get the best results, with advice on handling, clipping techniques and aftercare.

The fabled King Ranch of South Texas was renowned for its breed of horses, the King Ranch Quarter Horses. Here is the complete story of the ranch and its horses, how they were bred, and what they have achieved. We meet the Old Sorrel, the horse without a name who became the foundation stallion of the ranch Quarter Horses. The King Ranch produced winning show horses (Hired Hand, Anita Chica, Peppy) and race horses (Miss Princess, Nobody's Friend) and, above all, top-quality cow horses famed for their levelheadedness and ability to work in close partnership with their riders. Today they and their descendants are working cattle and winning competitions worldwide. For those who love Quarter Horses, and especially for those who own a Quarter Horse descended from the King Ranch and wish to know its history, this book will be a treasured volume.

Most Quarter Horse breeders and breed experts believe that in the production of great Quarter Horses one should never underestimate the importance of the dam. They are convinced that, in the long run,"the distaff side of the pedigree is the one to watch." They agree that one reason for the eminence of the Quarter Horse in racing, show, arena, and breed competition is the quality of the dams who helped found the breed and give it the unique conformation and blazing speed on the short track.

This book, filled with treasured anecdotes and track legends, will join its companion volume on the sires as an indispensable source for Quarter Horse breeders, owners, and racetrack and rodeo enthusiats, as well as for historians of the horse and its role in the Americas.

Xenophon's The Art of Horsemanship is the earliest known work on the horse and how to ride it. Though Xenophon wrote his treatise twenty-three centuries ago, it still provides the modern-day equestrian enthusiast with much food for thought and is delightfully easy to read. In this translation by Morris H. Morgan Ph.D., there are chapters on the Greek Riding-Horse, and Points of the Horse, with Notes on Xenophon's text. Illustrated throughout with numerous photographs and line drawings, carefully chosen by Professor Morgan for their usefulness in explaining the various subjects treated in the text, Xenophon's work appears for the first time in paperback.

An expert shares his insights and applies them to the handling of young horses and their early training--from first bridling to turning on the rearhand--an essential reference for every Western-style rider.

A collection for equine enthusiasts *An all-new collection of the best of the classics *Editor was anchor of horse sports in ESPN *Fresh, new series design A perfect gift for riders, writers, or literary buffs, Horse Stories is an essential collection of some of the most compelling stories ever written about America's horses.

Anatomy, particularly functional anatomy, is a vital and dynamic subject, an appreciation of which leads not only to superior husbandry and welfare, but also to a better understanding of the anatomical challenges associated with riding, training, overtraining, injury and rehabilitation. Using Alexa McKenna's fabulous illustrations, this book shows the correlation of the skeleton, muscular system and locomotion, providing a clear insight into the functional and dysfunctional horse. It also addresses the largely misunderstood concept of 'perfect conformation' and looks at the effect on function of the rider and tack, using cutting-edge diagnostic techniques such as thermal imaging and gait analysis. Again with the emphasis on the visual, readers will be able to appreciate how muscles function in differing athletic disciplines by analysing the heat generated in musculoskeletal structures after exercise. This will also highlight the importance of post-competition recovery. The book concludes with a range of useful techniques to improve the function of any horse, including stretches, taping, wrapping and other proprioceptive techniques to increase balance, flexibility, awareness and posture.

Carol Mailer presents foolproof jumping exercises suitable for every combination and size of horse and pony, devised specifically to help riders and their mounts hone their skills, improve their performance and exceed their expectations. Whether you want to jump a little higher or wider, iron out faults, or shave a tenth of a second off a jump-off time, these exercises can help. The set-ups are not complicated and if approached with a workmanlike attitude, they can make the world of difference to a horse's jumping performance. Moreover, the exercises will help eliminate the need to have a top-notch trainer standing by at all times to supervise the work. Indeed the exercises are so straightforward that a sensible rider will be able to use poles and grids to analyse why they are making mistakes, and far more importantly, learn how to correct them quickly and easily.

The Difficult Horse provides many insights as to why a horse may develop unwanted behaviours. 'Problem' behaviour is usually more of a problem for the handler than the horse, which is likely to have established patterns of behaviour as a way of helping himself feel safe in situations he finds mentally and/or physically stressful. As well as explaining the reasons for a horse's reactive and sometimes dangerous responses, this book suggests a number of practical exercises that can help to address a wide range of commonly encountered issues. Even if you consider your horse to be problem-free, these exercises will still be invaluable in helping you and your horse to develop a closer, more pleasurable and successful relationship.

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.