Western Horsemanship requires balance, finesse, and above all, effective communication between horse and rider. Not only is Western Horsemanship an important and popular horse show class, but it is also the foundation for such other competitive events as reining, roping, trail, and working cow horse.From selecting a suitable horse, necessary tack and equipment, and preparing for competition to winning strategies for the show arena, 101 Western Pleasure and Horsemanship Tips is an essential guide for all Western riders.

A world champions approach to training, selecting, maintaining, and showing the Western Pleasure horse.

A well-trained, responsive, and intelligent working cow horse is more than just a pleasure to ride or watch in action; such an animal is an integral part--a prized employee, if you will--of a ranch's workforce. How to find and then educate the horse to work cattle in pens and on the range, to negotiate a variety of terrains, and perform all the other tasks it will be asked to do (under a variety of often adverse conditions) is the subject of this handy guide. For example: Being able to open a gate from horseback is a mandatory job for any cowboy. A good place to introduce the young horse to this experience is by using a gate set up as part of an obstacle course. It is desirable and safer if the gate can swing freely and is without any attachments. Start by simply walking your horse through the gate when it's open. Reaching down and gently swinging the gate as you pass through it is the next step. If your horse is a little spooked by your reaching down, be aware that horses are naturally afraid of tight places. Once your horse can pass through an open gate, then attempt to open a closed gate. Be sure your horse fully understands your hand and leg cues before attempting this step, because he must be able to move off your leg to stand next to the fence, move toward the fence as it swings open to let you pass through, and then move around so you can close it. Written by an experienced rancher and horse trainer, 101 Ranch Horse Tips will show you how to start a young horse or improve an older one with techniques that can apply to performance and enjoyment on or beyond the cattle ranch.

This series of Western Dressage exercises are designed to improve suppleness, balance in movement, and responsiveness. Each exercise has a specific goal in mind, and they are organized by different areas of focus: softness, looseness, rider development, engagement, adjustability, and ground work. With illustrated step-by-step instructions and full arena diagrams, you’ll quickly be on your way to mastering this exciting discipline.

Ground training is the key to a safe and pleasurable riding experience. Designed for easy reference while working with your horse, this guide can be hung on a post. Riders of all disciplines and skill levels will benefit from these exercises that reinforce good habits and help develop a strong bond between horse and rider.

· A comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about horses and our relationships with them · Includes detailed sections on a wide variety of informative topics, including the history of horses, evolution, domestication, horseback riding, training, competing, breeding, and more · Features complete profiles of 175 breeds of horses, from the Abaco Barb and Welsh Pony to the Shetland Pony, American Quarter Horse, Thoroughbred, and many more · Filled with 100 training and behavior tips, 50 riding, grooming, and health takeaways, 25 competitive activities, and countless other important and interesting must-know information · Written by two highly regarded horsewomen, the late Moira C. Allen and Sharon Biggs · Newly updated edition includes a new section on advances in imaging technology for horses and advances in medications, plus updated information on saddles, bits, poisonous plants, deworming practices, and natural horsemanship

This sequel to Cherry Hill's top-seller 101 Arena Exercises presents step-by-step instructions for unique patterns in the most popular classes of English and Western competition. The book's comb-bound format allows it to hang in the barn or lay flat on a barrel for easy reference. Full-page arena maps for every pattern make this the perfect in-the-saddle workbook for riders of all abilities.

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.

With this pocket-sized guide in hand, you'll find it easy to develop and perfect your Western riding skills. Cherry Hill's exercises will help you learn to fine-tuneÊtransitions and changes of direction, master lateral work, improve collection, and perfect lead changes.Ê

If you have seen his weekly television program, Downunder Horsemanship, then you know that Clinton Anderson's training techniques can achieve amazing results with almost any horse. Now his methods are available for the first time in a reader-friendly, highly illustrated book, and you, too, can learn the program that teaches "everyday people"—regardless of riding style, age, or ability—how to better communicate with their mounts.