Dressage is often seen as the most formal and controlled of the equine sports, following an ancient, standardized training progression. For philosophy professor and dressage instructor Sherry Ackerman, dressage is a transformational art, an avenue for reflection, exploration, and self-knowledge through which a rider can experience liberation from the narrowly individual, egoistic self. This second, revised edition of "Dressage in the Fourth Dimension" is a pioneer work in awakening 'dressage consciousness'. It requires readers to deconstruct every assumption they have ever held about riding - to ask 'Why?' and to become okay with not knowing.Drawing on such diverse sources as geometry, ancient Western and Eastern philosophies, and spirituality, Ackerman seeks to heal humanity's alienation from nature through riding and dressage. She points readers toward liberation from societal conditioning, from externally legislated morality and normative thinking, and ultimately from their own egos. Her concept of the Fourth Dimension requires the reader to leave the analytic, objective mind behind and enter into the mystery of inspiration. A short, unique, and enigmatic work that has enjoyed a word-of-mouth reputation among horse people for years yet has also been unavailable, "Dressage in the Fourth Dimension" will challenge riders' assumptions about their horses and themselves.

Give your young horse the best start by building a solid foundation with this essential training guide, from newborn foal to adult horse. Dip in and out of the four distinct sections to solve specific problems, regardless of your horse's age. Tackle new experiences calmly and with confidence by following the step-by-step sequences with explanatory captions and practical tips. Richard begins the book with Making the Decision, covering all the general areas that you should know when buying or breeding a youngster. Richard explores what has changed with working with horses and why over the years, from using round pens and join-up, focusing on owners as well as horses, to creating a training pyramid plan to follow an organized training regime with a logical progression to help you and your horse achieve your goals. Richard asks the important questions you need to answer before committing to owning a youngster and runs through the 10 training principles. He highlights the importance of repetition, establishing a clear means of communication between you and your horse, and understanding how the horse's brain works, from the right side to the left side. There are also areas of special mention: orphan foals and keeping entires. The second chapter runs through training your horse from 0-6 months. Maxwell encourages you to develop your foal's brain from the very beginning. From imprinting and halter training to leading and weaning, the section covers all of the basic techniques for training for your foul at this influential time. The third part of the book looks at preparing your horse for a working life at 6 months-3 years. Maxwell teaches you further halter techniques, tying up, desensitization, techniques for avoiding the challenging year when the horse turns two, tips on preparing for the farrier, bathing, clipping, injections and preparing for loading with a comprehensive step-by-step guide to loading. He also covers preparing for a bridle and circling work. Part 4, Backing and Riding On, focuses on horses aged 3 years+. The chapter explains how to: introduce the first saddle, the first bridle, to teach your young horse to accept the bit, to introduce long-lining, to introduce a rider using a dummy, to back your youngster, and to desensitize on the move. Maxwell goes on to show a day-by-day guide to riding from day one, concluding with an interesting selection of real-life case studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of Maxwell's methods for molding a young horse into a safe, rewarding ride. With valuable checklists, step-by-step instructions, and useful question and answer sections at the end of each chapter, Richard Maxwell really does provide all the essential information you will need to effectively train your young horse.

Everyone knows Billy and his trusty horse, Blaze. And now Aladdin is gently colorizing C. W. Anderson's elegant cover art so that new young readers will have a chance to see Blaze in full color for the first time. Introduce this classic series to your favorite horse lover with the exciting story of Blaze Finds the Trail. Billy and his horse Blaze start out one day for a ride in the forest. But their adventures soon lead them off the trail and deep into the woods. Before they know it, the sky grows dark with a coming storm, and Billy can't find the way out of the woods. Can Blaze find the trail and get them safely home again?

What can be done with a horse that's hard to bridle, won't stand for a new farrier, or kicks while being ridden? Why would a sweet horse suddenly turn mean? How can an owner calm a horse that becomes a nervous wreck at shows? And what should be done if a gelding attacks a mare?
Anyone who has spent much time around horses knows that horses can be shy, frightened, anxious, uncooperative, and even aggressive. But that does not mean that the horse owner should accept unwanted behavior. In The Horse Behavior Problem Solver, equine behavior expert Jessica Jahiel offers proven solutions to common horse behavior problems.
Jahiel explains how a horse thinks, how it learns, and why it acts the way it does. She identifies the types of bad habits that are the result of the horse being mishandled by humans. And she helps owners and riders understand that what may look like bad behavior to a human is actually, from the horse's point of view, a perfectly reasonable response. The trick is for the human to realize which behaviors are instinctive and which are learned. At the same time, people need to learn what can be done to prevent bad habits from forming and how to discourage or eliminate a horse's existing patterns of unwanted behavior.
For this eminently readable handbook, Jahiel has adopted a friendly question-and-answer format. Each question includes a detailed real-life case study. The author then identifies the source of the trouble and offers the owner or rider practical, proven techniques that can help solve the problem.
This book is truly comprehensive. First, Jahiel explains how to establish a healthy human-horse relationship. Then, she moves on to the problems, ranging from horses that don't like to be groomed or handled, to horses that regard a visit from the vet as a traumatic experience. And because the situations presented in this book are common to all horses and horselovers, Jahiel's advice is applicable to every breed of horse, and to Western as well as English riders.

Storey's Guide to Training Horses is a one-stop reference for every aspect of horse training, including a complete program for turning a shy and gangly foal into a calm, confident, well-balanced equine partner. Now with full-colour photography, the third edition includes step-by-step guidance on all the essential training procedures for both English- and Western-style riding, including haltering and leading, saddling and mounting, and addresses the finer points of gaits, lightness, and collection. Best-selling author Heather Smith Thomas draws on her decades of equestrian experience to anticipate every situation that might arise and provide answers to addressing all the potential challenges of training different types of horses.

Harry de Leyer first saw the horse he would name Snowman on a truck bound for the slaughterhouse. The recent Dutch immigrant recognized the spark in the eye of the beaten-up nag and bought him for eighty dollars. On Harry's modest farm on Long Island, he ultimately taught Snowman how to fly. Here is the dramatic and inspiring rise to stardom of an unlikely duo. One show at a time, against extraordinary odds and some of the most expensive thoroughbreds alive, the pair climbed to the very top of the sport of show jumping. Their story captured the heart of Cold War-era America-a story of unstoppable hope, inconceivable dreams, and the chance to have it all. They were the longest of all longshots-and their win was the stuff of legend.

Compiling a programme of pilates exercises designed to help the dressage rider enhance their ability for success, this book contains over 500 pilates exercises that have been specifically chosen to best suit the needs of the dressage rider. It contains photos and detailed instructions which clarify each exercise.

In recent decades, knowledge in the field of equine physical therapy has accrued as different types of bodywork have steadily gained acceptance in the horse world. An understanding of anatomy and biomechanics, and a grasp of the variable options available to both keep the active equine healthy and rehabilitate following an injury or layoff have become integral aspects of general horse health management. Equine physical therapy expert Helle Katrine Kleven understands the need for a reference that supports the horse owner as she strives to keep her horse sound in body and mind, and at the top of his game. In this highly illustrated book, she begins with a comprehensible introduction to the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, as well as an instructive conversation covering biomechanics basics, then explores the major areas of therapy in detail. Readers will find practical how-to guidance in the most popular therapeutic modalities, as well as cutting-edge alternatives that are currently gaining ground: fascia work, stretching, massage, stability and strengthening exercises, laser therapy, kinesiotaping, and much more. With this incredible course in preventive and rehabilitative techniques, horse owners and professionals will be thoroughly prepared to ensure their horses' comfort and well-being.

Training a foal is not child's play! It can be a fascinating experience, but it requires the correct mixture of experience, horse knowledge and intuitive feeling. The way a horse is trained and treated in its first two years - along with its inborn traits - determines how it will behave for the rest of its life. This book is full of useful information about the physical, behavioural and mental development of the young horse and sets out the correct way of training a horse to be responsive, safe and enjoyable to ride. Anyone interested in horses will find this a fascinating book, as it explains much about horses' behaviour that so often at first sight seems impenetrably mysterious. * Essential basic knowledge, tips and suggestions, to ensure the successful training of your foal: - Imprint training - First learning steps - Learning with mother - - Weanlings and Yearlings - First public appearances - Sexual maturity - - Weaning the foal - Problems of 'adolescence' - Obedience & discipline - - First gymnastic exercises - First backing (mounting) the young horse - * Invaluable reference book for all horse owners, horse breeders and anyone rearing a foal.

The first official history of the Irish Army Equitation School. From its tentative beginning back in the post War of Independence days of 1926 right to the present, the Irish Army Equitation School has been assigned what has been termed the "most extraordinary mission impossible" - of plucking raw young recruits from within the Cadet Corps, training them to the highest level of horsemanship, mounting them on jumpers bred on the farms of Ireland and sending them out to compete against the international stars of equestrian sport at events around the world. Here, recounted in great detail and with stunning photographs, are the great highs and lows; the heartbreaks and excitements of top flight international competition in which the Army riders have always endeavoured to punch above their weight.

A growing number of individuals with special needs are discovering the benefits of therapies and activities involving horseback riding. Special Needs, Special Horses, by Naomi Scott, offers information about the amazing results possible with therapeutic riding, or hippotherapy. From recreational riding for individuals with disabilities to the competitions some riders enter (and win), Scott describes the various techniques of the process and its benefits to the physically and mentally challenged. The book explores the roles of the instructors, physical therapists, volunteers, and the horses, and explains carriage driving, vaulting, and educational interactions with horses. Scott profiles individuals involved in the therapy, including clients whose special needs arose from intrauterine stroke, cerebral palsy, transverse myelitis, Parkinson's disease, paralysis, sensory integration dysfunction, multiple sclerosis, shaken baby syndrome, sensory damage, stroke, seizures, infantile spasms, Down syndrome, and autism. Special Needs, Special Horses is an excellent guide for the families of the many who do - or could - enjoy improved lives from therapeutic riding. It will also appeal to practitioners of therapeutic riding as an overview of their profession.

At some point, many riders will encounter the challenge of show jumping: to jump a course of fences in perfect harmony with your horse, measuring your skill against that of other riders - maybe even ending up in the placing. Success, however, does not just materialise from nowhere. This practical and thoughtfully illustrated book provides clear, precise advice on the necessary foundations for success, demonstrates what jumping training with progressive exercises looks like, and shows how typical difficulties can be overcome. Clarissa Busch is a riding instructor and well-known competition rider. In this book she not only imparts crucial insight to the training techniques of top show jumpers, but also offers many practical insider tips which will help prevent unnecessary errors. * It really is "made easy" - with expert text, and step-by-step illustrations. * In full colour throughout, with over 80 full colour photographs.

Long reining, or lungeing, might be thought of as a means of training a horse at a safe distance, from the ground. The horse is controlled by means of extended double reins and is made to circle its trainer, who is thus able to observe every aspect of the horse's gait. Long reining is used for exercising lame or convalescing horses, for correcting poor gait, and for training horses in dressage. This book illustrates and describes in detail the various aspects of this sometimes complex but invaluable training aid. * Essential reading for anyone actively involved in training horses - those who run riding schools, or whose work involves dealing with injured or unfit horses. * Completely details and illustrates the complexity of this equestrian technique. * Cadmos Horse Guides are a new series of basic equestrian manuals: essential reading for anyone, adult or youngster, who is learning to ride or who already rides and wishes to know more. The books are attractively packaged, inexpensively priced and illustrated in full colour throughout.

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

This popular handbook provides a complete course for horse and rider using the German training systems, which are applauded the world over as being clear, logical and thorough and which have consistently produced international champions for decades.

The London 2012 Olympic medalist on his stunning comeback. Mark Todd's eventing career is the stuff of legends and encompasses one of the greatest sporting comebacks of all time. When he 'retired' from competing in eventing in 2000, he had already been named 'Rider of the Century' for his natural empathy with a horse and his extraordinary success, which included back-to-back Olympic gold medals, five Burghley wins and three Badminton victories. He has also show jumped to Olympic level and trained winners on the racecourse. Considered a legendary horseman by his peers, he seemed to have done it all. He returned to train racehorses in his native New Zealand but, eight years later, the idea of a comeback took root, part dare, part personal challenge to see if he could still cut it in a changed sport. Within eight months, he was riding at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and in 2011 he hit the headlines by becoming the oldest rider to win Badminton. This was soon eclipsed by his stunning win at the London 2012 Olympics, however. The story of his progress from dairy farmer to world renown, is told with typically laid-back humour, but it reveals the fierce determination, discipline and personal sacrifice which lies behind the relaxed outlook.

New equestrians are handed the keys to a deeper level of communication and harmony with their horses in this great starter guide to dressage. With her lighthearted style, Jane Savoie takes the mystery out of training and shows how dressage techniques can be used to improve every horse's athleticism, performance, and well-being, regardless of the rider's chosen sport. Starting from the building blocks of dressage--forward, straight, rhythm, gait, and contact--this handbook delivers an excellent starting point for neophytes. Simple details for flatwork, explanations of the process of suppling, a sample schooling session, and chapters on troubleshooting pesky problems are all clearly presented for the rider with little or no dressage experience. Hundreds of photos, diagrams, and drawings are also included to enliven the text.Dressage sometimes gets a bad rap. To many, dressage theory comes off as complex and antiquated, and dressage training as arduous and frustrating. Famous classical texts can be heavy reading and hard to understand. But the benefits of dressage are enormous, for both the rider and the horse, and for all disciplines--so how to make it less of a struggle, less of a mystery, and more of a sunny, happy, joyful pursuit?
Turns out, it's easy if you have Jane Savoie's Dressage 101 in hand. Jane's highly illustrated how-to book is not only for beginning dressage enthusiasts, but also for those who have no intention of ever setting foot inside a competitive dressage arena. That's because dressage can help you clearly communicate with your horse and develop his body and movement, so that over time, he becomes more beautiful and athletic. You don't need a judge to tell you that is worthwhile
Dressage 101 provides a simple, riddle-free system of training that places a high priority on the horse's physical and mental well-being. Beginning with the three golden rules of dressage training--clarity, consistency, and kindness-- Jane walks you through her four stages of dressage education. Stage One is an introductory course in the basics, and Stage Two covers the "nuts and bolts" of training, including transitions, school figures, and movements. By the time you finish Stage Two, you'll have a happy, responsive horse that understands going forward and being straight; accepts contact so you can communicate with him through the reins; moves in a regular rhythm and a steady tempo in all three gaits; and can do transitions, circles, and turns, back up, lengthen his stride, and go sideways.
In Stage Three, Jane translates the secrets surrounding the half-halt, enabling you to put your horse "on the bit," and adding a whole new dimension to your training. You'll even be ready for some "fancy stuff" in Stage Four. Don't worry, everything in this book is well within the capacity of most horses--we're simply talking about the work required in the United States Equestrian Federation's (USEF) dressage tests at Third Level. This includes collected, medium, and extended gaits; advanced lateral movements; and flying changes.
Ultimately, correct dressage is simply training. Its stages are as easy to employ and as satisfying to understand as those of any other training method in any other riding discipline. Best of all, you don't have to be smart, rich, or a super athlete to master dressage fundamentals and have an enthusiastically willing, exuberantly forward, excitingly athletic horse--you just need this book.

The perfect guide to improving your horse's confidence, understanding, concentration, suppleness and obedience both on the ground and from the saddle, based on how horses think and respond to training. Dip into the 101 exercises to help you understand and solve a particular problem, or work through them in sequence to develop a solid foundation. Learn both theory and practical skills - from the simplest fundamentals that everyone around horses should know, to the refined techniques of the expert horseman, providing a clear road map' for the journey towards the Art of Horsemanship. Strengthen the partnership between you and your horse from the ground and the saddle with these fundamental horsemanship exercises. Improve your horse's concentration, temperament, suppleness and obedience by using the 101 exercises to solve a particular problem, or string them together to form an individually tailored training program. The exercises progress from the basic to more advanced ideas, harnessing your horse's natural behaviour to help you both work together with incredible results. Strengthen the partnership between you and your horse from the ground and the saddle with these fundamental horsemanship exercises Improve your horse's concentration, temperament, suppleness and obedience by using the 101 exercises to solve a particular problem, or string them together to form an individually tailored training program. The exercises progress from the basics to more advanced ideas harnessing your horse's natural behaviour to help you both work together with incredible results. Includes a foreword by Jane Holderness-Roddam

Welcome to dressage like you've never seen it before! In this fascinating and highly illustrated book, Jim Masterson - creator of the Masterson Method - works with a crack team of experts to demonstrate the unique demands put on the physiology of the modern dressage horse and how this affects his training. He explains what riders can do to improve the horse's ability to perform the movements required at different levels using the acclaimed Masterson Method.

An illustrated guide to progressive schooling exercises, designed to improve suppleness, balance, strength, and agility, and to enhance the performance of horse and rider on the flat. Chapters include the paces, transitions, 10 m and 20 m circles, serpentines, and square halts and rein back.

The popular and highly respected horse trainer Mark Rashid brings together Western and Eastern philosophies to demonstrate a seamless new incarnation of horse training. After years of helping "difficult" horses, Mark Rashid understands how to build the foundation of a horse's training and resolve any problems encountered along the way. He explains how he allows the traditionally firm or assertive approach of the old Western style to take some lessons from the softer conflict resolution and ego reduction approach that the Japanese martial art of aikido teaches. Rashid's ultimate goal is for harmony between horse and rider.

The official handbook for those studying the BHS teaching qualifications has now been fully updated and revised. Written for the BHS by a chief examiner, this handbook provides clear guidelines on how the skills of riding should be taught and how riding school lessons should be conducted. It is aimed at less experienced and trainee riding instructors, especially those involved with weekly riders and covers: - How to develop communication skills and effective body language - Advice on teaching adult novices and children, whether in groups or one-to-one - Valuable multi-option lesson plans - Choosing school horses and keeping them happy in their work - Safety and insurance, and how to cope with mishaps and accidents - Dealing with rider problems, such as nervousness, stiffness, poor coordination, etc.

Widely known for her innovative teaching philosophy stressing body awareness, the value of "soft eyes," proper breathing, centering, and balance, Sally Swift has been a pioneering riding instructor for half a century. In book form for the first time, her methods enable horse and rider to achieve harmony, working together naturally, without pain.
Unlike traditional teachers, Sally Swift does not believe in forced training techniques that cause stiff bodies and tense riding. Instead, through the use of vivid, unusual, and highly creative images that transcend mechanics ("Pretend you're a spruce tree; the roots grow down from your center as the trunk grows up"), plus a thorough knowledge of human and equine anatomy, this wise and inspiring teacher enables the conscientious equestrian to reassess habitual responses, in order to ride in natural positions, break through frustrating plateaus, and achieve ever-rising goals with comfort, vitality, and precision.
Precise illustrations and photographs never before used in riding books explain anatomy and image work to give mind and body new and relaxed approaches to the inner process of riding.
"Centered Riding "is for those with little experience all the way up to world class.

This is not a horse-training manual but a people-training one. Master horseman and teacher Pat Parelli offers a philosophy he calls "Natural Horse-Man-Ship", a form of horse-human communication in which the human learns to speak "horse" to the horse. The text is a blend of concepts and exercises. The exercises, or manoeuvres, are designed to help readers more fully comprehend the concepts and to help them communicate effectively with their horses. The volume is divided into three sections: "Natural Horse-Man-Ship - An Overview"; "Natural Horse-Man-Ship - On the Ground"; and "Natural Horse-Man-Ship - In the Saddle". Each section uses the six keys Pat has identified as vital in the development of a Natural Horse-Man - Attitude, Knowledge, Tools, Techniques, Time and Imagination. Like the petals of a flower, each key unfolds in the three sections until the heart of Natural Horse-Man-Ship is presented in its entirety.