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.

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.

Training a horse brings an array of vexing challenges. What should a rider do with a horse who just won't listen? What about the horse who quickly tires, or becomes cranky during training? And there are horses who behave well in the presence of an instructor, but -maddeningly - never while alone with the rider. Situations like these can leave even the most enthusiastic equestrian feelingdiscouraged, frustrated, and even downright, helpless.Jessica Jahiel comes to the rescue with "The Horse Training Problem Solver", the third title in her popular "Problem Solver" series. In her informal yet informative style, Jahiel offers sensible answers to riders' most common training challenges. In a handy, accessible Q&A format, Jahiel uses real-life case studies to bring troublesome situations to life and then solves the problems with tested, proven solutions.The book's combination of basic training theory, effective solutions, and handy tips and strategies will help riders get the most out of every training session. Best of all, Jahiel breaks down training goals -from simple commands.

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.

Volume 2 in our foundation series aims to develop the skills for aspiring equestrians, building on improving efficiency, depth of knowledge and understanding of equine care and management. Volume 2 introduces lungeing a horse for exercise, with practical riding skills progressing to basic show jumping. This title develops our Complete Horsemanship foundation series to include the initial principles for teaching and coaching in the industry. A great addition to any aspiring equestrian, this book also provides the recommended reading for the British Horse Society Stage 2 qualification in horse care, riding and teaching.

A great foundation for any aspiring equestrian, providing safe, modern and current foundations to progress from in the equestrian industry. Filled with practical knowledge in horse riding, knowledge and care, the first volume in the foundation series is a must for anyone looking to learn the highest standards of equestrianism from the world leading British Horse Society education team. Recommended reading for the British Horse Society Stage 1 award in horse care and riding for those wishing to start their career in the professional industry.

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

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.

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.

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

Whether competing in the show ring or riding at home on the trail, every rider wants to be more secure and balanced in the saddle and effective with their aids. This innovative guide uses highly effective exercises to develop your athleticism on horseback so you can say goodbye to common rider problems, such as: - Swinging lower legs. - Stiff arms. - Trouble balancing over the horse's center of gravity. - Half-halts that go unanswered. - Incorrect mechanics, on the flat and in the jumping position. - And more. Division I collegiate riding coach Sally Batton has spent over 30 years perfecting her methods specifically designed to refine and polish riders, whatever their level. In her work with hundreds of varsity team athletes, she found that trouble with position and lack of specific horsemanship skills happens for two reasons: First, riders may not have an understanding of the biomechanics required to maintain the correct position. Second, they may not have attained the suppleness and strength required to maintain a fluid, elastic position on the horse. Her secret to combatting these difficulties won her teams dozens of championships and awards through the years. Here you learn both her time-proven warm-up and her exciting "Equicize" routine: a series of progressive exercises similar to aerobics on horseback. Batton's recommendations help you build and strengthen the major muscle groups used by equestrian athletes, and all exercises can be customized so you can raise or lower the intensity as needed to suit your age, level, and riding style. Plus, readers find dozens of creative training "hacks" that will get them on their way to greater levels of riding proficiency in no time at all.

This is a complete guide to horse breeds around the world, and how to ride horses for sport, show or pleasure. It features expert advice on saddles, bridles and bits, training aids, equestrian clothing and protective equipment. It shows you how to look after your horse on a day-to-day basis, including exercise routines and grooming techniques, and information about basic health care and first aid. The noble horse combines speed, strength and beauty with intelligence and a willing nature, and this beautiful box set contains four books for every horse enthusiast. An Illustrated Guide to Horse Breeds of the World is a round-up of the world's breeds, such as Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses. The Practical Rider's Handbook covers the basics of riding, from mounting to dressage. Saddlery & Horse Equipment is an illustrated guide to tack and clothing. A Practical Guide to Caring For Your Horse explores the practicalities of equestrian care, such as feeding, watering, plaiting and shoeing. Together, these books form an essential collection for all horse riders.

NLP is the science of excellence. In this important book, List 3 Dressage Judge and NLP Master Practitioner Wendy Jago shows riders for the first time how NLP tools can help: improve rapport between rider and horse; ensure that the horse is really getting the message the rider intends; improve riders' body positioning and clarify their muscular 'language'; transform their problems into recipes for success; and become relaxed and confident - even in competition. NLP explains the essentials of great communication - and great riding is great communication. There is clear and practical help here for every rider and every horse, whatever their level or goals. Illustrated by photographs, line drawings, practical exercises and case studies, this book will show you how to create the solutions to your own individual problems.

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.

#1 "NEW YORK TIMES" BESTSELLER
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.

Riding skills guru Mary Wanless looks at a series of common rider faults or problems and, through words and photos, explains how to correct them. Each fault or problem is demonstrated by a different rider - some working at basic level, others advanced. Mary gives each rider a lesson, taking them through the (often subtle) changes they have to make, and recording their progress with specially taken photographs. Readers can witness the changes taking place and understand through Mary's gifted teaching, how to make the necessary shift to improve their own riding skills.The 'before' and 'after' pictures show not only the improvements in the rider's position and effectiveness but also in their horse's way of going, for the two are interconnected. Among the topics for in-depth discussion are rider position, muscle tone and stabilisation; how our minds and bodies learn new techniques or change old habits; rider asymmetry; mental attitudes; lateral work; advanced work; and faults such as tipping forward, leaning back, hollowing the back, rounding the back, and pulling on the inside rein.

Lungeing and Long-Reining, published in association with The British Horse Society, is a step-by-step guide to training, exercising and suppling horses from the ground, written by Britain's leading exponent of the art. The book begins with advice on handling untrained youngsters and works through a logical training progression, culminating in advanced dressage movements. Straightforward guidance is given on: Training foals and young horses Lungeing equipment and technique Introducing long-reins and early lateral work Backing and riding young horses Lungeing over poles and fences Advanced long-reining; including cantering, rein-back, shoulder-in, travers, half pirouettes, half-pass, renvers, canter half-pass, canter pirouettes and tempi flying changes. Piaffe and passage Olympic dressage rider and trainer Jennie Loriston-Clarke has broken and schooled countless dressage and jumping horses, and initially uses lungeing and long-reining to establish the horse's basic education and create mutual respect between horse and handler. The knowledge she has gained over the years while working with novices and older 'difficult' horses sent for retraining, is distilled in this book into simple instructions, so that others can avoid making costly mistakes when training their horses. The goal throughout is to produce a horse that is confident, keen and happy in his work - which should be the aim of every trainer. Illustrated with specially commissioned sequence photographs, this book will prove particularly valuable in the early training of young horses, as well as in improving or retraining older horses, and refining dressage movements in advance horses.

The Manual of Horsemanship is a complete basic guide to horsemanship and horse care, suitable for all ages and containing an amalgam of expert knowledge. Boasting numerous improved, updated features and enjoying its biggest overhaul in a decade, the manual has been comprehensively revised with an exciting new format and design. This new edition has been brought up to date by members of the Training Committee of The Pony Club to include major updates to the Bridle, Bitting and Additional Saddlery, Shoeing and Worm Control chapters. With The Training Scale now included, along with an addition of an extensive glossary of terms, the chapters within the book have been re-arranged and grouped into three themed sections Part One: The Horse, Part Two: The Rider and Riding and Part Three: Saddlery and Lorinery, which makes reading the manual more logical. New photographs, charts and diagrams feature throughout and the increase in page size to 270 x 200mm provides ease of reference.