A vital book for equine coaches. Drawing on tried-and-tested coaching practices used successfully in other sports, this book provides an introduction to coaching specific to the equine environment. The coaching process as a whole is addressed for both the horse and rider.
The UK Government Coaching Task Force highlighted the need for the development of coaching across all sports, which led to the introduction of the UK Coaching Certificate (UKCC). Soon any coaching of horses and riders will need to be done by qualified individuals only. Equine Sports Coaching is ideal for those studying for the UKCC or other qualifications in equine sports and leisure coaching.
Key features:
* in line with UK Coaching Certificate qualifications
* covers performance analysis, periodisation of training programmes, sports psychology, and communication skills
* advises on the personal development of the coach to support career development in this field

A crucial element of eventing is that horse and rider complete the cross-country course within a set time ('the optimum time'). If the competitor takes longer, significant penalty points are awarded against him or her. Many eventers try to achieve the optimum time by taking unnecessary risks, which, as Stuart Tinney explains, can be avoided if the correct training is carried out.

Stuart Tinney, an Olympic gold medallist, completed the Sydney Olympic course easily within the optimum time, not through uncontrollable speed but through accurate and controlled riding. This skill and the associated training and horse management are explained and demonstrated in the book, including:

- Equipment for the horse and rider

- Walking the course

- Riding cross country safely and efficiently

- Training for cross country in the arena

- Horse fitness and management

- Horse types

This book will therefore be of interest to all eventers from introductory to advanced level.

Photograph of Stuart Tinney riding Calvin at Berrima by Max Wilson: agenda photography

Whilst the horse world is rich in descriptions that tell us what horse and rider should look like, we lack good information about exactly how to produce the desired results. Good horsemen ride well without knowing how they do it, and without understanding why you are not like them and cannot do it too. During 23 years of research it has been Mary Wanless's personal mission to expose the secrets of horsemanship, breaking down riding skills into 'bite-size chunks' and finding ways of describing them that work for average riders. By using the learning strategies given here the rider should discover how to connect with the horse in a way that makes sense to him and enables him to carry himself well, in self-carriage. At the same time the techniques aim to offer the rider security, stability and effectiveness in the saddle. This title sets out to simplify Ride With Your Mind methods and to provide a basic tool-kit for the acquisition of a truly independent seat in walk, trot and through transitions, on straight lines, turns and circles - and, importantly, how to make corrections when things don't go exactly to plan. Mary explains how to use the hands, legs and body correctly, and gives the ingredients for perfect contact. In each section, the instruction is backed up by practical self-tests and exercises to ensure success, and there are ideas for troubleshooting during the learning process and in the future.

Partnering Your Horse is a guide to horse-appropriate training techniques and the development of mutual trust between horse and rider. The book imparts effective, humane training and conditioning in handling and riding, and combines newer, scientifically proven methods plus long-established 'kinder' techniques. Horses are an enigma. Big, strong, fast prey animals, they are sensitive, lightning reactors to danger. If they connect that danger to us, they can lose their faith in us forever. Despite this, they are 'trainable', capable of forming strong bonds with humans they trust, and welcoming us into their society as associates and even friends, although not as bosses or masters as previously believed, a concept alien to them. However, we need to work at maintaining their welcome and the best way of doing that is to be partners who persuade them to do things with us, and who do not hurt, frighten or confuse them. So much common horse sense has been lost over the years that many people don't realise that certain methods advocated in today's horse world have created an increase in behaviour problems. In Partnering Your Horse, author, Classical Riding Club trainer and Gold Award holder Susan McBane offers a proven way of riding and horse management, of restoring horses' faith and trust in us - and of producing one of the best friends we'll ever have. The book benefits from appealing and instructive illustrations by eminent equestrian artist, Maggie Raynor.

A comprehensive guide to the care and management of horses and ponies. The aim of this volume is to provide a reliable source of information and advice on all practical aspects of horse and stable management. The manual has been compiled by a panel of experts each drawing on considerable experience and contributing specialised knowledge on his or her chosen subject. Filled with reliable information and advice on modern stable management practices, the book provides a sound foundation for Horse Knowledge and Care. Throughout, the emphasis is on the adoption of correct and safe procedures for the welfare of all who come into contact with horses, as well as for the animals themselves. Coverage includes: The Horse Care of the Horse Watering and Feeding Saddlery and Tack Specialist Care of the Competition Horse The Horse at Grass The Stable Yard

Jane Houghton Brown shows how to teach both horse and rider to successfully clear show jumps and cross-county fences with confidence--at all stages of horse and rider development from novice rider to advanced-level competitor. The book will serve as a specific reference for the career instructor following the British Horse Society examination system. For the rider, the book will also be a manual for the training of young horses or the retraining of older horses. This book shows how successful techniques can be taught effectively at all levels of competence, setting out key points, objectives and solutions to problems at all stages, including how to tackle fear and build confidence.

This book discusses ground-pole training for all disciplines and shows how you can make the most of precious schooling time. It provides quick and easy pole layouts, using just a handful of poles. Different exercises are given for each pole layout, so there is no need to move the poles during a session. Exercises range from the simple to the more intricate, with the inclusion of more transitions, lateral work, raised poles/cavalletti, or riding in a different gait. Claire Lilley explains how these pole exercises can help you to ride with precision and improve your horse's way of going, adhering to the scales of training. You can also use the different layouts to check whether you are sitting straight, turning correctly, and riding transitions and lateral movements properly. She lists common rider faults for each exercise to help riders self-correct if schooling alone. As an experienced trainer herself, Claire knows that this book will prove an invaluable resource for riding instructors, providing a veritable cookbook of ideas for lesson plans. Poles are a great teaching tool, adding variety to every lesson and helping the teacher to explain lessons to the pupil. Teacher's tips are given for each exercise. Claire says: "Try the exercises for yourself and I'm sure you will be amazed at the improvements that can be made both in your riding technique and in your horse's way of going. You will never be bored with schooling again!"

An innovative and easy-to-use application of Pilates principles to the training, conditioning, and rehabilitation of horses. This highly illustrated how-to manual provides a clear guide to new ways of thinking about how to prevent injury in the horse, and when injuries do happen, to help the horse's body recover in a mindful and safe way. As a Pilates teacher for humans, horsewoman and eventer Laura Reiman has seen first-hand how consistent, quality exercise can ward off strain and injury, as well as heal. When her young horse was diagnosed with extreme back pain and a neurological disease, she turned to her knowledge of Pilates-the method she'd used to ease back pain in human clients for years-for help. She began to find ways to "bridge the gap" between the horse's mind and body to help increase his body awareness and core engagement. The result is a cohesive series of original exercises that can be taken in parts or as a whole and seamlessly incorporated into an existing training program to be a: Preventive tool to increase the horse's strength, balance, mobility, and stability. Framework for a new program to help ease a horse back into work following an injury or time off. Readers will find chapters dedicated to: Observation-basic anatomy and how to "know" your horse's body and movement. Stretching-including incentive stretches, supported static hold, and dynamic mobilization stretches. Core work-such as the Cat Stretch and Bridging. In-hand strengthening work-like varied surfaces and ground pole progressions. Exercises on the longe line-transitions, bending, and spiraling. Lessons under saddle-gymnastics, hills, and basic dressage. Alternative bodywork-temperature therapy, massage, stability pads, bands, and more. Pilates for Horses is an ideal instructional guide for all riders and trainers looking to build and maintain a solid foundation of strength and comfort for their horses.

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.

Riding in Release considers the relationship between two significant traditions of riding and horse training - The French Classical School and horsemanship born out of the Vaquero and Buckeroo lineage. Both traditions are founded on the development of a partnership with a horse, which enables lightness of foot and thought. This book provides useful insights for riders of all levels - whether you want to hack out in harmony or improve your half pass - with clear, practical, step-by-step instructions and advice. Topics covered include: consideration of the similarities of the traditions and why this is useful for modern riders to understand; how horses move, think and feel, and how this knowledge is useful to us; foundational handling up to high school - common themes; the human side of the partnership - how to make sense to our horse and be someone he wants to learn from and how to help our horse develop a greater ease of movement without the use of gadgets or force. There are detailed explanations of straightness, balance and dynamic posture along with step-by-step guidance on teaching 'the language of the aids'; tapping into your horse's amazing capacity to learn. Finally, the development of good feeling between you and your horse, through logical application that respects a horse's emotional life as well as his physical body is covered.

As a child, Katie loved ponies, all things pink and sparkly and dashing event rider Roger Fleming Bowen. Now in her twenties, she's escaped a desk job in London, packed her collection of pink polo shirts and moved to Northumberland to work for her childhood hero. The attraction between the two of them is instant and Katie's keen to win more than rosettes and the silver spurs on offer at the Scottish Championship, but Roger has vowed to never again get involved with his staff, having learnt from casual but disastrous relationships in the past. Then, at an international competition near Inverness, catastrophe strikes for Katie, and Roger is forced to question everything he has been so certain of...

New in paperback for 2022, this book aims to show how - and why- the horses muscles work and explains how this knowledge can be put to good use in all aspects of horse care and riding. With careful anatomical drawings supported by explanatory text, Sara Wyche 'dissects' the horse's musculoskeletal system and describes how the various muscles work together with bones, joints, ligaments and nerves to produce movement. Throughout, there are valuable insights into how man's use of the horse can adversely affect this movement, how good riding practice can help to avoid problems, and why the horse is sometimes unable to meet the strenuous demands that are so often placed upon him. Riders, trainers, saddle-fitters - all who have an interest in the way the horse moves - will find this book to be a fascinating exploration of the horse's musculoskeletal system. More than this, it is an important guide to understanding exactly what it is they ask of the horse and, therefore, an aid to improving the horse's performance.

Every horse person strives to grow in ability and understanding over time whether in the saddle, on the ground, or in the stable; whether in ways that are small or those that are significant. This effort, when done right, lasts a lifetime, and along the way requires the addition of knowledge and experience gleaned from numerous others. Where does one find leadership within the equine industry? How does one know to whom to turn for information? Does riding require an instructor, a trainer, a coach? Can you get by with part-time guidance? Can you effectively learn on your own, with just the occasional directive, and still find personal or competitive success? With this book, renowned clinician and international team coach Eric Smiley intends to fill the gap when it comes to these questions and others, providing a reliable resource and educational companion for any aspiring equestrian. Smiley addresses fundamental topics pertinent to riders, with philosophical discussion and practical exercises applicable to all levels. Along the way he strives to educate them on being taught, and perhaps, one day, becoming the teachers. His aim is to bring together the mind of the rider with the mind of the horse, while highlighting the key component in their synergy: understanding. How that understanding is acquired, retained, and put to use is the key to success.

The Complete Horsemanship Volume 4 from The British Horse Society (BHS) is designed to support you as you progress and develop your knowledge and understanding from Stage 3 level to that of Stage 4 (previously known as the BHSII) and then ultimately to Stage 5 (previously known as the BHSI). Designed with your career in mind, the BHS Career Pathway offers a learning platform to help you reach your goals. The structure consists of world-leading and globally-recognised qualifications which will support you on your journey of life-long learning in the equine world. The British Horse Society is the largest provider of equestrian education and qualifications in the UK, and as such, we believe it is our duty to ensure we reach and inspire those individuals who will truly make a difference to the future of our sector.

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 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.

At the core of this book is a series of 'state of the art' experiments in which the author participated, designed to establish whether certain classical ideas about true collection could be scientifically proved. Discussion of the results leads into an exploration of how working towards collection informs the progression of training and the way in which the exercises are implemented. This pursuit of collection is likely to take a purer form if it is motivated by artistic values rather than by the rider's ego. In this fascinating and thoughtful book, the author urges readers to focus on their own individuality, rather than being motivated or misled by external pressures; to 'collect' or 'centre' themselves, as they work towards a similar state with their horses.

Once the domain of the equestrian elite, dressage (originating from the French word for " training" ) is now the most popular equestrian discipline in the United States. Fueled in part by its visibility as an Olympic event, dressage participation levels have reached an all-time high.
, br>This centuries-old practice of classical horsemanship, using time-tested and humane methods, is a slow process that requires patience and discipline, but is beneficial to every horse, regardless of breed. The goal of achieving seamless communication and dance-like precision with the horse appeals to riders of all levels, disciplines, and ages.
In this book, the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), whose membership has doubled in the past 20 years, demystifies basic dressage techniques for riders of all disciplines. Assuming no prior knowledge of the sport, The USDF Guide to Dressage leads riders through a full course of exercises, from simple to more complex, with easy-to-follow photographic sequences, all presented in full-color and demonstrated by outstanding dressage instructors.
This authoritative guide also includes the dramatic and colorful history of dressage, an overview of proper terminology and equipment, as well as information on competition, crosstraining for other disciplines, management of the dressage horse, cross-training for achieving rider fitness, and more.
This intricate ballet of athleticism and grace, demanding precise movement and excellent communication between horse and rider, is particularly appealing to the growing group of " baby-boomer" riders who are looking for opportunities to expand their riding skills and knowledge withoutthe physical challenges and risks involved in jumping and racing. Whether they've been in the saddle for years or are just taking up or renewing their riding practice, these eager riders will find The USDF Guide to Dressage key to building a more satisfying relationship with their horse.

In this long-awaited follow-up to the highly praised Cobs Can! Omar Rabia introduces the idea of a systematic, progressive series of exercises designed to develop suppleness, collection, obedience and ride-ability in cobs. He discusses the prerequisites of starting this journey and the reasoning behind working cobs in-hand before ridden work is commenced. While the exercises are set out in a progressive order, each exercise offers particular benefits and works on 'target areas', so you can choose exercises that will most benefit your cob before moving onto others in the series. Progression within each exercise is explained so that riders know when to move onto the next step within the exercise.

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.

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.

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.