Many riders want to try jumping, but are intimidated. This guide helps riders of every age safely learn to jump by presenting a natural approach with progressive, step-by-step exercises, full explanations, and lots of photos and diagrams. It covers everything from preparing a green horse for the first jump to riding a challenging course in a show ring. It includes guidelines for every discipline and every breed of horse, plus information on the demands of different competitive events.

With three full exercise routines for riders at beginner, intermediate, and advanced fitness levels, this guide helps you achieve a good basic riding position that is centered, aligned, balanced, and relaxed. There are clear explanations and photos of each exercise plus three tear-out workout guides, so you can exercise anywhere. An improved seat enhances your riding experience, helps eliminate back pain and post-riding soreness, lessens fatigue, minimizes the risk of injury, and improves your performance.

This book is a welcome relief for millions of riders. More than six million people in the U.S. ride horses, and many riders at all levels suffer from chronic back pain. Complete with photos and illustrations, this spiral-bound, take-anywhere book prescribes a unique core muscle workout with three progressive, easy-to-follow exercise routines to help riders develop a balanced and aligned body with strong core muscles to secure spinal alignment and stability. Riders minimize the risk of injury, maximize performance, eliminate back pain and post-riding soreness, and have a more pleasurable riding experience. Readers can take each of the exercise routines anywhere on three gatefold, tear-out posters.

Unless you're familiar with the sport, you're probably intimidated! This practical book helps you get your child off to a positive start. It answers your questions, helps you avoid common pitfalls, shows you how to get your child into the saddle without saddling yourself with debt, and helps you ensure that your child has a rewarding, enjoyable experience. It takes you step by step from the initial "get acquainted" period through decisions and purchases you need to make as your child progresses, covering: Sampling the sport, including package deals that give your child exposure without necessitating a commitment Choosing a stable, riding style, instructor, and course of lessons Comparison shopping to save on equipment and apparel Proceeding through more advanced training Participating in horse shows or other competitions Buying a horse (or not)

On the Fence gives you the inside scoop on how to help your child get started and progress as a rider. It shows you how your child can enjoy horseback riding in a way that suits her, your family's lifestyle, and your budget.

The definitive guide to dressage--the art, science, and secrets of graceful horsemanship for riders who want to exude natural elegance in the saddle

Dressage has been described as "a beautiful ballet on horseback." It embodies an innate grace, a seemingly effortless flow, and an easy harmony between horse and rider.

Dressage elevates riding from a sport to an art form. One of the fastest growing equestrian sports in America, it appeals to competitive riders as well as those who simply want to improve their mounts and their skills. Because the principles of dressage encompass the art and science of horsemanship and every aspect of the horse-rider relationship, dressage training enhances other equestrian disciplines. The exercises and patterns help improve the horse's overall balance and athleticism and make the mount more responsive. Ideal for beginning enthusiasts or people who simply want to appreciate the elegance and finesse of classical riding, Deciphering Dressage unlocks the secrets of classical, precision riding. It covers: Choosing and caring for a suitable dressage horse Buying tack and riding apparel Sitting the horse correctly and using aids or subtle signals to cue the horse Preparing for competitions Riding a dressage test Competition and scoring Recognized shows, schooling shows, ride-a-tests, and eventing

Complete with over fifty photographs and drawings, as well as step-by-step explanations of exercises and maneuvers, this guide helps riders master the basics of this exceptionally demanding and rewarding discipline.

Experience the sheer joy of being one with your horse and one with nature.

When you're riding the trails with your horse, you enjoy a refreshing feeling of freedom, the exhilaration of exploration, and an invigorating escape from the demands of the day. You're in control--as long as you can control the 1,000-pound creature you're riding. Trail Riding: A Complete Guide takes you from the basics to more advanced trail riding skills with information on: How to choose a horse, including basics on conformation Finding the best trail-riding lessons, tack, and equipment Feeding, care, grooming, health care, and stable management Conditioning--for the horse and yourself Trailering to trails Advanced trail riding, including information on camping with your horse, how competitive trail riding is judged, and racing on the trail Tips on how to find the best trails, both locally and around the country

This book helps you develop the knowledge and skills that will give you a leg up every time you climb in the saddle. You and your horse will become the perfect pair for relaxing yet energizing adventures off the beaten path.

Cinch today's top new riding techniques

In the past twenty-five years, a number of major innovations in horse handling have gained acceptance in the global community. Now Howell presents a one-stop resource for amateur adult riders to help them understand the new approaches and implement them to achieve fast results.

Written by renowned professional riding instructor Donna Snyder-Smith, The All-Around Horse and Rider is the first equestrian book to offer a precise road map to utilizing the new innovations in training. This unique book explains the basic lessons the all-around rider must master, showing how to set realistic equestrian goals and adopt the methods that best enable the horse to do his job. Snyder-Smith gets to the heart of "correct" riding, helping the rider harmonize with a horse's movements while translating acquired skills to a wide variety of disciplines.

• Covers the latest innovations in horse handling, including rider body awareness, equine movement awareness, and round-pen work
• Demostrates how the innovations and training methods inter-relate -- and how to combine them effectively
• Reveals how to increase the strength and endurance of both horse and rider
• Explains the different competitions and who is best suited to compete
• Shares inspiring, real-life experiences of all-around horses and their riders
• Identifies when to ask for help-and how to find it

Listen to and communicate with your horse–successfully

"This is a book for everyone who has ever looked at the constantly increasing list of methods and systems marketed as ‘horsemanship’ and wondered which of the many possible approaches would be most suitable for a particular behavior problem. Gincy Bucklin has distilled her many years of experience with horses and riders into a very useful, step-by-step, hands-on book. Bucklin’s writing is smooth and easy to read, and no matter where you open this book, you’ll find that her deep respect and affection for both equines and humans shines through."
–Dr. Jessica Jahiel, author of Riding for the Rest of Us

"Gincy Bucklin uses her decades-long experience with horses to answer that most frequently asked question: ‘Why did my horse do that?’ And she comes up with creative solutions that weave together traditional horse handling with the best of modern horse training, including my own personal favorite, clicker training."
–Alexandra Kurland, author of Clicker Training for Your Horse and The Click That Teaches video lesson series

It takes time for a horse to learn everything we want him to know. If we don’t make our intentions clear to him in ways that he can understand, or if we don’t listen to what he wants, problems may result. Featuring easy-to-follow, step-by-step advice, What Your Horse Wants You to Know reveals how to communicate effectively with your horse to create an atmosphere of mutual cooperation.

What Your Horse Wants You to Know focuses on improving your horse’s behavior on the ground, so you can develop relationship and communications skills without the more challenging problems that arise once you’re on his back.

• Use your entire body to communicate with your horse
• Show your horse that you respect his needs and feelings
• Be patient and consistent with your horse while having fun
• Understand your horse’s fears and overcome them
• Respond appropriately to physiological or nutritional problems
• Use praise to make your horse feel confident and successful

Training Strategies for Dressage Riders is a unique guide to the art and technique of dressage, written by one of the most renowned equestrian trainers in the world today. It offers a complete training system for both horse and rider, paying special attention to how a rider’s actions can influence a mount. The book provides practical, in-the-saddle advice on a wide range of dressage topics, including:

• The art of classical equitation
• The development of the rider’s seat and aids
• Developing the basic gaits
• Gymnastic improvement
• Horse insubordination
• Clinics and competitions judging

Here is the perfect book for beginning riders who are using muscles they never knew they had before, advanced riders who want to stay in top form (especially as they get older), and weather-bound riders who can't get out during the winter but want to be fit when spring arrives. The Rider's Fitness Programme details a fun and effective six-week program that strengthens the muscles riders use while improving overall balance, flexibility, and coordination. The book features more than 85 exercises designed to help new riders get over the aches and pains of get- ting started, and experienced riders hone their skills and technique and prevent injuries. The ultimate goal, of course, is to achieve oneness" with the horse. The routines are flexible, so individuals can customize the workout they need for jumping, dressage, reining, endurance, polo, or rodeo. The exercises are accompanied by step-by-step photographs that demonstrate how to perform each action properly (with an emphasis on safety). The exercises are progressive, from basic to advanced, and suitable for riders at all fitness levels.

Safe riding is correct riding. That's Jan Dawson's motto, and it's the philosophy behind her book, Teaching Safe Horsemanship. Dawson's goal is to provide both English and Western riding instructors with an effective and safe teaching program. She explains how to assess a horse's particular characteristics in order to weed out potentially dangerous animals. She also offers guidelines for assessing instructors and students, including what makes a good instructor and what attitudes can get in the way of learning proper horsemanship. Since 80 percent of all accidents involve falls due to loss of balance, Dawson identifies the techniques that ensure that a horse and rider are in proper balance. Finally, since she is a lawyer as well as a riding instructor, Dawson includes a chapter on securing useful liability forms, what insurance coverage does and does not do, and how to handle accidents and lawsuits. Dawson and her husband teach the only equine law course taught at a law school in the United States.

Longeing and Long Lining the English and Western Horse Simply put, longeing and long lining are safe and time-efficient ways to teach a horse from the ground what he needs to do when he' s ridden. In addition, during ground training, you have the opportunity to form important associations with your horse. Longeing and long lining can be used to teach your horse to listen to you, stop and be patient, learn how to bend, become proficient in all of his gait transitions, and improve the form of his movement. Longeing and Long Lining the English and Western Horse is a total program. It describes what you do and why during the ground training of a yearling through an aged, seasoned horse. Over 250 photographs show you a variety of English and Western horses learning their lessons. You' ll see exactly what type of tack you use and why. You' ll see typical reactions, how to prevent and correct problems, and how to recognize both good and bad working form. Only by being informed can you develop you horse to his full potential. Rather than thinking of longeing as " going around in circles, " think of it as a way to establish good, solid habits with your horse. With this book and its companion volume, 101 Longeing and Long Lining Exercises: English and Western, you' ll have the foundation you need to help your horse work in a productive form.

If you are like most people, you know what you want your horse to do and how you want him to behave. You want your training experiences to be safe and enjoyable for both you and your horse. But maybe you aren't sure what to do and when. In 101 Longeing and Long Lining Exercises you'll find complete ground training lesson plans from square 1 to square 101. Cherry Hill starts with basic in-hand and free longeing lessons, then takes you through the addition of a longe line, cavesson, bridle, surcingle, side reins, saddle, and long lines. You'll learn a wide variety of ground training exercises suitable for both English and Western horses. In-hand section:
* Fancy footwork
* Whip works
* Pitching a wave
* Turn on the forehand
* Sidepass
* Longeing section:
* Stop, look, and listen
* Outside turns
* Inside turns
* Whip talk Spirals
* Wagon wheels
* Bending tune-up
* Contact and collection
* Long lining section:
* Long line lingo
* Yin y ang
* Figure-8
* Serpentines
* Backing
* Cavalletti work
* Trail obstacles

Each of the exercises is laid out with a diagram, step-by-step instructions, and an explanation of its benefits. The exercises progress from the basic skills to more advanced ones, such as counter-canter and flying changes of lead. This book and its companion volume, Longeing and Long Lining the English and Western Horse: A Total Program, give you a solid foundation for helping your horse work in productive form.

Longeing and ground training are an important part of horsemanship, both in training the horse and in the education of the rider.
This book explains the principles of handling and training horses safely from the ground, including leading, teaching good ground manners, and preparation for longeing. It provides an introduction to longeing, equipment, techniques, and longeing for various purposes, including longeing to improve the horse's movement and longeing the rider. Because longeing is an activity that requires skill, knowledge, and safe techniques, The USPC Guide to Longeing and Ground Training is essential to understanding what you will need, what to do, and how long to do it safely for yourself and your horse.
This guide can be used by Pony Clubbers, instructors, and all horse owners who want to learn about longeing and how to use this technique safely to benefit their horses' training.
The Howell Equestrian Library

Knowing about horse conformation, movement and soundness is important to any horse owner, whether you are selecting a horse, judging horses, or evaluating a horse's strengths, weaknessess, and ultimate potential.
The USPC Guide to Conformation, Movement and Soundness clearly explains and illustrates good, functional conformation and movement, faulty movement, conformation defects, blemishes and unsoundnesses, their causes, and how they affect the horse. This guide will be helpful to Pony Club and 4-H members, instructors, horse owners, and anyone interested in learning about evalulating horses' conformation, soundness and way of moving.
The Howell Equestrian Library

The Most Fun You Can Have on Horseback!

Improve your equestrian skills and have a great time with your friends using this collection of safe, exciting, and challenging games for horse and rider. Whether you're a beginning, intermediate, or advanced rider, these games will improve your skills of starting and halting, mounting and dismounting, balance, reining, and leading, making you a better and safer rider.

You'll find easy-to-follow, illustrated instructions for more than 50 games that meet the highest safety standards, including:

Group Games

Follow the Leader

Charades

Treasure Hunt

Elimination Games

Simon Says

Ride-a-Buck

Musical Pairs

Races & Relays

Red Light, Green Light

Pony Cart Race

Root Beer Relay

Timed Games

Barrel Race

Pole Bending

Obstacle Course

Distance Games

Ride and Tie

Point-to-Point

Mock Fox Hunt

Mounted Drills

Mounted Team Drill

Pinwheel

Cavalry Drill

This is the definitive book on grooming your horse to catch the judge's eye. It features over 400 detailed drawings illustrating every aspect of grooming. Completely updated, it details current practices and requirements and covers conditioning, daily care, tools and supplies, and grooming for shows. New chapters discuss blanketing, newly popular breeds, and the latest show ring clothing styles. A must-have reference, it covers all disciplines and includes trimming styles by type and event as well as by breed.

Land Between The Lakes Outdoor Handbook, by Johnny Molloy, is the only comprehensive guide to the magnificent Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area on the Kentucky-Tennessee state line. The handbook is divided into two sections--water activities and land activities. The water section guides visitors to important fishing spots and lakes, as well as outlines one of the longest paddle trails in the Midwest--the 85-mile-long Land Between The Lakes Paddle Route. Descriptions of all lake accesses and swimming beaches are also included. The land section offers detailed descriptions of more than 300 miles of hiking trails (including the 60-mile-long North-South Trail). Finally, the guide offers an extensive reference section, detailing alternate lodging possibilities, outfitters, and conveniences located in nearby towns. This new edition is completely updated and features new trails and new photos.

From the author of the hugely successful titles How Your Horse Moves and Horse Anatomy for Performance, comes a completely different training manual, also based on the Horses Inside Out philosophy: 'Understanding Anatomy Improves Performance and Reduces the Risk of Injury'. Divided into three main parts: Principles of Anatomical Riding and Training; Exercises for Horse and Rider; Troubleshooting, the book contains a wealth of practical tips and exercises broken down into easy to follow, well-illustrated steps showing how riders can improve their riding skills and potential. The author suggests ways to improve horses' physique, posture, flexibility, stability, core strength, performance and movement and how to reduce muscular and movement problems, and reduce the risk of injury. This beautifully illustrated book looks at how to deliver a safe, varied, fun, effective and achievable training programme. It provides all the ingredients for riders to make informed decisions to maximise their own and their horse's potential, gain more enjoyment, satisfaction and improve their skills.

This book is about developing that 'perfect understanding'. Whether you practice dressage, hack, event or show, the improvement of your horse through an understanding of 'his' language, should allow him greater ability and confidence in all your work together. The aim of The Balanced Horse is to confirm in people's minds what they should be doing for each request, and what they must avoid. The author abhors the use of force and gadgetry in the schooling of horses and believes classical riding is the best way forward for all the disciplines.

Master the essentials of horse riding and improve your technique with this practical illustrated handbook. It features expert advice and tips for the absolute beginner, from putting on the bridle and tightening the girth to adjusting the stirrup leathers and holding the reins. How to perfect your posture and improve your seat, and how to mount, walk, trot, canter and gallop, including instructions for the more experienced rider. It features step-by-step photographic sequences and illustrations that show clearly what to do - and also what not to do. It includes a complete guide to the clothing and safety equipment you will need, such as hard hats, riding boots, trousers, chaps, body protectors and neck straps. It offers all riding exercises, techniques and possible pitfalls are shown in over 250 clear photographs and diagrams. The feeling of galloping through an open field in perfect harmony with your horse is hard to beat. To reach this level of unity, a few basic techniques are needed. This book explains these techniques in step-by-step detail so that you can enjoy riding your horse to its full potential. The book places special emphasis on the importance of good posture for achieving expert riding skills. It includes all the basics of good horse riding, from what to wear through to advanced techniques. Possible pitfalls are also shown, with solutions for handling them. A combination of theory and practice, this essential handbook will help you develop your confidence and horse riding skills.

Influence without punishment, collection without rein pressure - these apparent contradictions are explained as renowned horseman Klaus Ferinand Hempfling demonstrates his revolutionary method of teaching and training based upon precisely defined body language. The method, a way of communicating in a visual language understood by the horse, assists the rider to develop a 'presence' and to achieve interaction with the horse. It is classically based and embodies both holistic and spiritual principles. Packed with nearly 500 marvellous colour photographs this book has already been a bestseller in Germany, France, Spain and Scandinavia and will enthral every horse owner.

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.

As an instructor it takes time to develop a repertoire of exercises to suit all ages and abilities. This book has the answer: it provides a wide range of ideas for lesson plans, with notes on how these can be adapted and developed for different levels of recreational rider, from beginner to advanced, whether children or adults.The lesson plans are organised into teaching subjects to allow instructors to go straight to a chosen topic and find exercises to suit riders of different abilities, along with teaching tips for a professional delivery.

Dr James Warson, a neurosurgeon and lifelong horseman, says that over 90 percent of the population seeks help for back pain at one point or another during their lifetime. If you're a horseperson, back pain is of particular concern since everything you do on and around horses demands a supple, strong, healthy back: riding, grooming, tacking up, stacking hay bales, and even pushing a wheelbarrow. This book provides practical information to understand the diagnosis, treatment, and pain management related to a rider's back problems, whatever the cause. Dr Warson breaks down the physics of movement, and explains how combining two separate bodies, human and horse, creates additional sources of potential back strain and injury. Traditional and alternative treatments are discussed, and Dr Warson includes step-by-step instructions for a do-it-yourself physical therapy plan that will not only help those already dealing with back pain, but helps to improve rider flexibility and strength, to prevent the onset of a problem. This new revised paperback edition also includes a special section on riding after hip and knee replacement surgery.