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.

For riders at all levels, Carl Hester and Bernadette Faurie aim to make dressage training accessible with step-by-step guides for improving the horse's paces, riding dressage movements, and competing. Essentially this book is about every rider making the most of his or her potential and, in the process, producing a horse that is more pleasing to ride and more athletic in its body. The book offers advice on training all types of horse and in everyday language, explains how to set about improving the horse's paces and suppleness, whilst keeping him happy and enthusiastic in his work. It describes how to ride dressage movements, from simple circles to flying changes, and pointing out common mistakes and how to correct them. Carl Hester is seen, in over more than 100 specially shot photographs, schooling his horses at home, bringing on youngsters and fine-tuning the more experienced animals.

BHS Riding Out has been written primarily for people who work, or are thinking of working, in roles that include leading or escorting rides from licensed riding schools, trekking centres, horse hotels and similar establishments. It is recommended reading for those working towards a British Horse Society qualification of Stage 2 or Stage 3 Ride Leader. In addition to providing information to those whose professional role includes taking out rides, this book will be of value to those being escorted, whether newcomers to riding or those of greater experience. It contains plenty of practical advice that will be of use to private horse owners who habitually ride out by themselves, or in the company of small groups of friends.

Updated and enhanced information on the most recent topics added to the Pony Club curriculum This C Level manual builds on material covered in The United States Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship: Basics for Beginners/D Level . Whether you're a Pony Clubber who has passed the D Level tests or simply a rider who has mastered the same basics, this manual enables you to increase your skills and teach you what you need to know in order to rise independently and correctly with good position, balance, and use of the aids on the flat, over fences, and in the open. At the intermediate level you're expected to take more responsibility for the care and management of your pony, and you'll learn how to do this as well. In addition, you'll learn the skills needed for conditioning and preparing your pony and yourself for competitions and special events. New and revised coverage of land conservation and horse health and safety Better organization to ease reference A full review and update of critical developments in riding, instruction, and competition In-depth revision of nutrition and veterinary topics, the two areas in which there has been the most significant research and development over the past two decades From the C Level, you may go on to higher Pony Club ratings such as B, H, A, or A Ratings, or specialize in such disciplines as dressage, show jumping, eventing, and showing. Or you may just want to have the pleasure of caring your horse or pony and participating in your favorite riding activities. Either way, The United States Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship: Intermediate Horsemanship/C Level will give you an excellent basis in horsemanship for the lifelong enjoyment of horses and horse sports.

There are many books and DVDs devoted to the technical training of horse and rider - how to perform movements correctly, clear obstacles, communicate efficiently, and in other ways attain the idealised image of an athletic partnership that results in competitive success. But this book is different: its focus is how the rider and trainer can make it easier for the horse to perform optimally. This includes improved understanding of what are reasonable expectations for a particular horse at a certain level of schooling, how to improve his fitness (including strength and conditioning), as well as background on how injuries may develop as a result of interaction between internal and external factors, such as genetics, conformation, management, and training. Relying on her veterinary background, in-depth research, and dozens of interviews with top riders and trainers from around the world - including Beezie Madden, Carl Hester, and Pippa Funnell, to name just a few - Lonnell provides guidelines for nurturing a happy, healthy equine athlete. With special focus on conscientious pacing when building the horse's physical capability over time, diversification of schooling practices, detail-oriented management and care, and putting the horse's needs above competitive ambition, readers are given a solid grasp of what it takes to truly reach the pinnacle of equestrian sport - and remain there - on a consistent basis. Throughout, gorgeous colour photographs of world-class horses and the people who work with them visually demonstrate the success of these methods.

The autobiography of one of the World's leading Welsh Cob Breeders. A fascinating insight into the life of Ifor Lloyd. Welsh cobs are world famous. Ifor details some of his dealings; showing and exporting animals to far flung lands and the challenges of making a living as a breeder. -- Welsh Books Council

What is the best thing the Queen has every done for British horses ? - introduced Monty Roberts to British breeders and trainers. What happens when a top racehorse refuses to race ? - they call in Monty. Who can get a wild horse happily accepting a saddle and riders in half an hour ? - Monty. Where do senior executives of Disney go for a brainstorming weekend ? - Monty's California ranch. Who was Elizabeth Taylor's riding double in NATIONAL VELVET ? Who was James Dean driving to see when he was killed ? Who communicates with horses better than anyone else in the World ? - Monty Roberts.

Accomplished coach Islay Auty explains how to develop your teaching technique to bring out the best in your pupils, be they top-flight competitors or recreational riders. The text explains how modern coaching techniques can be applied to equestrian sport and, as such, the books is more about the skills of coaching than how to teach the actual skills of riding. It focuses on topics such as motivation, inspiring confidence, personal development, communication, awareness and judgement, psychology, and how people learn. The author examines the particular issues involved with teaching children, pleasure riders, and competitors at all levels - and brings her text to life with thought-provoking scenarios. - Deals with modern coaching techniques and how they can be applied to the equestrian environment - Written for riding teachers who wish to enhance their teaching skills, especially those who are newly qualified or still studying for their teaching certificate. - Excellent background reading for those seeking to achieve the UK Coaching Certificate in Equestrian Sport.

Real Riding offers different ways to approach traditional and natural principles of horsemanship. The emphasis throughout is on employing empathy and understanding and looking at things from the horse's point of view. It sheds light on common misconceptions, difficulties and contradictions, and the pages are crammed with exercises, simple "tricks" and things to do that can make a real difference. Perry Wood aims to put harmony with horses within grasp of every rider and brings the art of riding into the 21st century.

Riding a Dressage Test demystifies the requirements for dressage competition at preliminary, novice and elementary levels. The international dressage judge, David Trott, explains in an easy-to-understand way exactly what the judge expects to see in the different movements of the tests. In addition, an example of each test movement is given, with comprehensive guidelines for riding the movements correctly. This book, together with its stable companion, Preparing for a Dressage Test, is essential reading for both trainers and riders and will help competitors to maximize their test-riding potential.

"This is a much needed book on the Weight Aids which should be close to the heart of all who teach and coach riding." - Patrick Print OBE FBHS This book is designed for all riders from the very novice to the most advanced. Sylvia Loch teaches through illustrations and photos how each tiny shift of the riders weight will affect the horses balance. The weight aids are generally taught only to higher level students especially those learning the more advanced skills. Yet, by including them from the beginning, novice riders will develop a much greater understanding of their own bodies and abilities and those of the horse from day one. In Sylvia's words...: The time has surely come to show all riders how their body-weight impacts on the horse for good or bad. Feel and balance should govern the whole ethos of equitation. In this book, I show through pictures how the giving of the aids can transform the horse in each and every movement so that our communication with this wonderful animal takes us to new levels of understanding and empathy. The Rider's Balance is well written and easy to understand, and is yet another classic riding book from one of Britain's leading classical riding advocates, Sylvia Loch.

This is the 51st "Threshold Picture Guide" where Perry Wood gives much needed advice on common riding problems. It gives practical tips on how to improve your horse's behaviour under saddle, making him safer to ride and a pleasure to own. Subjects covered include bucking, rearing, head-tossing, shying, jogging, bolting, napping, refusing to jump, nose poking, difficult to mount, hard-mouthed, overexcited and inattentive to the rider.

Find Solitude and Dramatic Views Around San Francisco Bay Everyone needs a break from their daily life. Escape to the oak-studded grasslands and tranquil forests of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. Hike, bike, or ride through nine counties with the official guide endorsed by the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council. Discover dramatic coastlines, a range of ecosystems, former Mexican ranchos, vistas that inspired Spanish explorers, and more. Join author Elizabeth Byers-a founding board member of the council-and Jean Rusmore, and choose from 75 trail segments on a network of paths that ring San Francisco Bay. Make your way through parks and public lands like Mount Tamalpais State Park and Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. Trips range from a 2.5-mile excursion over the Benicia-Martinez Bridge to a 12.5-mile traverse of Bolinas Ridge. You can also link several trips together to create a continuous trek that is 20, 40, or even 80 miles long. Each trip includes summary information, like distance, accessibility, regulations, and facilities, as well as an easy-to-read map. Comprehensive trail directions help to ensure that you always know where to go, while details on the region's history and culture entertain you along the way. Grab the updated, full-color edition of Bay Area Ridge Trail and start planning your next adventure. The perfect outing is closer than you think.

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.

Women and their horses -- a symbiotic relationship based on trust, camaraderie, friendship, and love. In "Why We Ride," Verna Dreisbach collects the stories of women who ride, sharing their personal emotions and accounts of the most important animals in their lives.
This collection of stories includes the heartfelt thoughts of a range of women -- those who rode as children, those who spent their girlhood years dreaming of owning a pony, and those who have made a lifelong hobby or career out of riding. Each story reveals how horses have made an impact in the lives of these women. With a foreword by best-selling novelist Jane Smiley, "Why We Ride" offers a reflective view on the relationships between women and horses.

Paddock Paradise is natural horse care advocate Jaime Jackson's groundbreaking adventure in natural boarding for horses. Based on Jackson's research on wild horses, this book outlines a revolutionary model for safe, natural horsekeeping, hoof care, and the healing and rehabilitation of lame horses. The premise of Paddock Paradise is to stimulate horses to behave and move naturally according to their instincts. Natural movement is the key to having physically and mentally healthier horses. This unique model is adaptable to virtually all size horse properties, regardless of climate, and is suitable for all equine breeds.

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.

For more than 30 years, Lee Ziegler has been one of the foremost advocates of gaited horses in North America and Europe. Through her writing and in her clinics, she has introduced countless riders to the pleasures of riding a horse that is calm, obedient, relaxed, alert, sure-footed, easily maneuvered, and consistent in his gait.
Now, in "Easy-Gaited Horses," Ziegler offers a comprehensive guide to riding and training gaited pleasure horses. And unlike the old methods that called for manipulation of a horse's hooves or other gimmicks that could be cruel, Ziegler offers training methods that are gentle, humane, and produce a gaited horse that can be ridden in his gait barefoot, trimmed to his natural angles, with a mild bit, or even without one.
Ziegler begins by defining various types of gaits, explaining how they look to an observer and how they feel to the rider. Next, adopting a whole-body approach to training, she reveals the importance of understanding equine anatomy. She then discusses how to introduce the horse to a variety of gaits: the ordinary walk, the flat walk, the fox trot, the running walk, the saddle rack, and the canter. She explains how to ride a multi-gaited horse, how to handle gait problems, and even how to retrain an easy-gaited show horse for pleasure riding. Ziegler also discusses how to train gaited foals and colts and explains what preparation is necessary before taking the young horse on his first ride.
As riders grow older, comfort on horseback becomes more of an issue. That's where easy-gaited horses step in. Their unique, smooth gaits allow riders to enjoy time in the saddle with minimal physical exertion.

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 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.

A classic work on horses and horsemanship by one of the most acclaimed riders in show jumping history.

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.

The author of the best-selling Dancing with Horses returns to further explain the intricate body language of the horse.

If you want to progress up from novice and need some help with the more advanced novice and elementary movements you will find this book really helpful. Kottas looks at each of the horses paces and gives a clear guide to what is required and most importantly how to achieve this. There are some excellent illustrations which clearly show everything from the rider's aids to the flexion required from the horse. The book also includes some stunning photographs which again are very easy to understand. There are also sections on lateral movements, changes of lead and piaffe and passage for those with greater ambitions.