Whether taking their first lessons, handling horses when visiting friends, or enjoying the glorious challenges of first-pony ownership, children need to learn more than just “how to ride.” When it comes to horses, the most important lessons begin on the ground, not only to ensure a young person's safety, but also to promote the fair and informed care of an animal so that he remains healthy and happy in their interactions, too. This highly illustrated, easy-to-use book is the most complete and correct guide available for horse-crazy kids and their families to learn basic horsemanship standards and responsibly apply them in the barn, in the arena, at home, and at competitions. Professional grooms and authors of the bestsellers World-Class Grooming for Horses and World-Class Braiding–Manes & Tails Cat Hill and Emma Ford are both lifelong horsewomen who have managed barns and strings of horses for top riders in all disciplines, including Olympians and World Champions. Since publishing their first book, they have traveled the country teaching clinics in proper horsemanship and grooming to aspiring young riders. Now they have put their wealth of experience to the page with over 400 professional color photos and clear, numbered steps that teach readers the following: - Catching, leading, and handling - Daily grooming - Tacking up - Post-riding or lesson care - Tack cleaning - Barn chores - Packing for shows and competitions - Bathing, clipping, and braiding - Bonding and playing - Games and goals for those who don't want to show - And more! With cool tips and tricks they've learned over the years, and an emphasis on safety and detail without detracting from the fun of being around horses, Hill and Ford have created an instant classic—a much-needed resource that will not only encourage young readers to become complete “horse people” as well as “riders,” it will preserve and pass along the management skills honed over a lifetime in barns held to the highest standards. Hands down, this book is the must-have starter-kit for every young rider.

A handy quick-reference with step-by-step color photos and easy-to-follow instructions from two top professional grooms. Braiding a horse's mane kind of comes with the territory-who can resist playing with all that hair? While it may begin as a downtime activity on a rainy afternoon or fun with friends after riding lessons, braiding takes on a life of its own when it comes to competition. Professional grooms and others who braid on the show circuit can make a living doing just that when they have the skills to do it fast and do it well. Professional grooms Cat Hill and Emma Ford, co-authors of the bestselling World-Class Grooming for Horses, have braided thousands of horses for a variety of disciplines over the course of their esteemed careers in the equestrian industry. Now they've highlighted those skills in a book conceived to be a helpful barn companion-one you can take with you and keep in your tack trunk, providing a go-to reference whenever you need it. Chock full of full-color photographs that illustrate every step of the process, readers learn techniques for: Braiding down-a nice, tight, smooth braid is the key to a sophisticated finish. Using thread, yarn, or rubber bands. Properly finishing and removing braids to avoid hair damage. Button braids two ways. Hunter braids. Running braids. Unpulled manes and long manes. Braiding forelocks. With their expertise, top-tier standards, and trademark clarity as professionals who have made teaching their trade an integral part of their lives, Hill and Ford provide everything you need to know to turn a horse out with professional polish, ready to impress the judges and wow the crowds.

When owning, training, riding, and showing horses, there is a certain 'look' to which one aspires. No one knows how to do all of this better than those working as 'professional grooms' for the world's top riders and trainers. It is the responsibility of these elite experts to keep their four-legged charges happy, healthy, and primed for peak performance - in body and mind. Now, two of the best professional grooms in the business share their trade secrets, with over 1200 colour photographs demonstrating how to clean the horse from nose to tail; wrap, clip, braid, and ship him; prepare him for or present him in various English competitive scenarios; and care for him after work or showing so he is rested and ready to do it all again. The ultimate modern-day guide for all riders who want their horses to look and feel their best. The complete guide to daily care of keeping horses and preparing for competition. Written by two professional grooms at the top of their game. Everything you need to know with over 1200 photographs by Jessica Dailey. Includes techniques for wrapping legs, bandaging tails, adding quarter marks and polishing the metal on tack