In this book, you will find exercises for all levels of horse and rider, from novice level to advanced, in both dressage and jumping, including the use of props in training. The author shows how exercises can be combined to create the optimum learning experience for rider and horse, both from a teaching perspective and for solo training – a ‘teacher in a book’. Claire Lilley draws on her may years of experience as a riding coach, with insight from being a student in her formative years. She explains exercises from the teacher's perspective: what to look for, and key teaching points to consider. The last section of exercises is for development as a teacher, inviting the riding teacher to evaluate their own skills so as to to improve their coaching methods. Suggestions are given to improve coaching methods, such as observational skills of the physical and mental capacities of both horse and rider. Finally, training plans are given, using the exercises in practice, with consideration as to whether lessons are individual, shared or group, as well as lesson location. This book will be a valuable resource for riding instructors and pupils alike, a welcome addition to the teacher's library.

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!"

The "scales of training" are the components of a progressive training system that has evolved from the teaching of the great riding masters of Italy, France, and Germany. The scales apply to the basic schooling of every horse, whether the rider wishes to concentrate on dressage, jumping, or eventing, and provide an essential foundation for the horse's physical and mental development. If the scales are not observed at novice level, then it is unlikely that horse and rider will progress to advanced levels or be able to maintain a consistent level of performance. In this illustrated workbook Claire Lilley explains how to use the scales when schooling and jumping at home. She describes the principles of each training scale and includes in each section a number of exercises designed to improve performance, with notes on what to look for, training tips, and solutions to common mistakes and misunderstandings.

Schooling the horse is not just about riding - many problems or misunderstandings between horse and rider can, and should be, sorted out on the ground before attempting to ride at all. This book explains how to school your horse from the ground, starting with fundamental techniques, and gives progressive exercises to work through. It explains the importance of stretching work, how to establish a correct outline, and how to build strength and suppleness. Remedial work is also included to improve crookedness, unbalance, and stiffness, for example. Also covered is the use of training aids where necessary, and schooling over ground poles and cavaletti, as well as jumping the horse on the lunge. Observing your horse working without a rider gives you valuable insight as to the correctness of his paces, how his muscle development can be improved, and his general attitude and willingness. When your horse is moving beautifully on his own, there is no reason why he cannot do the same with you in the saddle.

Horses are fascinating and perceptive creatures. Developing a thorough understanding of how a horse interprets the world around them and deliberately being self-aware as a rider, are the essential skills to a successful and fulfilling partnership. In The Psychology of Horsemanship, well-known equestrian author and horse expert, Claire Lilley, shares her passion and knowledge about horses and riders developed from over forty years' experience in the equestrian world, and more recently several years in the mental health profession. Divided into three sections, the book covers: Equine psychology - the horses's senses, primary responses and emotion; Training psychology - the rider's communication, training and learning from past experiences; Relational psychology - the goals, the development and the challenges faced in successful horsemanship. With high-quality photographs, diagrams and extended real-life examples, this book explores the application of psychology to the world of horses and how the understanding and evolvement of the horse-rider relationship impacts on both mental and physical development.

Problems when handling your horse can happen to any owner at any time and can be a result of thoughtlessness, fear or simply just not knowing the right thing to do at the right time. This book is a common sense guide on how to cope with all the little difficulties that can turn the euphoric dream of becoming a horse owner into an uncontrollable nightmare. Claire Lilley is a well known trainer who has worked with horses for many years and has witnessed the myriad problems that occur when a horse's behaviour gets the better of the handler. "The Problem-Free Horse" offers sensible, practical advice on managing horses in the stable, the field and schooling from the ground, from putting on the bridle correctly to clipping an awkward horse, from dealing with an escape artist to when to call the vet. Learning to handle your horse correctly will prevent behavioural problems in the long run, but should your horse already have bad habits, there is advice here for you too. Topics include: handling and control, behaviour in the field, clipping, feeding, rugs, bandages and boots, tacking up, veterinary care, feet and shoeing, grooming, leading in hand, long reining, loose schooling, and lungeing.