A new book especially written for the time-starved 21st-century horse owner! Do you day after day make a promise to train yourself and your horse to be better at something, but when you get to the barn there just doesn’t seem to be enough time? Don’t worry, what really matters is the quality of the training you do manage to fit in. It really is possible to carry out good quality, progressive training with a horse in only three minutes a day. Educator and horse trainer Vanessa Bee’s “light bulb moment” was when she realized that if a training session had a realistic goal, every horse achieved the goal in under three minutes. This led her to create techniques appropriate for use in brief digestible lessons that ultimately produce significant gains in short sessions. This refreshing new method offers 35 ground exercises, 24 ridden exercises, and 25 “real world” exercises that will get you out and about with a safe, sane, well-trained horse.

A book chock-full of answers to horse-behavior questions that will change your horse's life for the better. Horses want partners they trust. Meeting their need for security makes them more tuned-in, calmer, and more reliable. In her engaging book, highly illustrated with professional color photographs, certified riding instructor Lynn Acton, MS, shows you how, with practical step-by-step instructions. You’ll see that progress can be surprisingly fast with methods that are gentle, time-tested, backed by science, and that make intuitive sense to your horse. Discover how to earn trust and make training more efficient by engaging horses’ innate intelligence, maintaining clear two-way communication, and considering their point of view. This leadership approach has been used successfully for centuries by people of all backgrounds and skill levels on horses at all levels of training. Acton refers to this relationship as Protector Leadership because you are the horse’s protector. In these pages, she combines extensive horse experience and an academic background in social dynamics with in-depth research. She interprets and cites the scientific findings that explain why Protector Leadership works, and offers valuable insights into equine psychology while exposing myths that are sources of problems. Plus, Acton includes “Things to Try” at the end of each chapter—fun and easy-to-implement exercises that help you engage your horse as a thinking partner Throughout, the narrative includes stories of Acton's progress with her own horses, including mistakes and hindsight, and especially the transformation of the book’s "cover girl" Brandy from a dangerous throwaway to a happy, reliable partner. Clear, detailed photographs show the subtle body language of horses and people, and illustrate critical interactions that make a real difference in our relationships, communication, and training. These are a few of the concrete skills you will learn: · Earn trust starting the moment you meet a horse. · Recognize “misbehavior” that actually means your horse is thinking like a partner. · Turn pressure into clear communication instead of stress. · Use Positive Reinforcement for better learning, behavior, and reliability. · Turn anxiety and spooks into confidence building situations. · Discourage unwanted behavior without punishment. · Allow your horse appropriate choices and freedom. As your bond strengthens, you can enjoy watching your horse’s true personality blossom. A thoughtful, progressive book for riders of all disciplines and students of the horse of all experience levels.

A refreshingly straightforward and commonsense approach to better communication with your horse--and therefore, better horsemanship.

When eighth grader Abby Lovitt looks out at those pure-gold rolling hills, she knows there’s no place she’d rather be than her family’s ranch—even with all the hard work of tending to nine horses. But some chores are no work at all, like grooming young Jack. At eight months, his rough foal coat has shed out, leaving a smooth, rich silk, like chocolate. As for Black George, such a good horse, it turns out he’s a natural jumper. When he and Abby clear four feet easy as pie, heads start to turn at the ring—buyers’ heads—and Abby knows Daddy won’t turn down a good offer. Then a letter arrives from a private investigator, and suddenly Abby stands to lose not one horse but two. The letter states that Jack’s mare may have been sold to the Lovitts as stolen goods. A mystery unfolds, more surprising than Abby could ever expect. Will she lose her beloved Jack to his rightful owners? Pulitzer Prize winner Jane Smiley raises horses of her own, and her affection and expertise shine through in this inviting horse novel for young readers, set in 1960s California horse country and featuring characters from The Georges and the Jewels.

Updated and enhanced information on the most recent topics added to the Pony Club curriculum This C Level manual builds on material covered in The United States Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship: Basics for Beginners/D Level. Whether you're a Pony Clubber who has passed the D Level tests or simply a rider who has mastered the same basics, this manual enables you to increase your skills and teach you what you need to know in order to rise independently and correctly with good position, balance, and use of the aids on the flat, over fences, and in the open. At the intermediate level you're expected to take more responsibility for the care and management of your pony, and you'll learn how to do this as well. In addition, you'll learn the skills needed for conditioning and preparing your pony and yourself for competitions and special events. New and revised coverage of land conservation and horse health and safety Better organization to ease reference A full review and update of critical developments in riding, instruction, and competition In-depth revision of nutrition and veterinary topics, the two areas in which there has been the most significant research and development over the past two decades From the C Level, you may go on to higher Pony Club ratings such as B, H, A, or A Ratings, or specialize in such disciplines as dressage, show jumping, eventing, and showing. Or you may just want to have the pleasure of caring your horse or pony and participating in your favorite riding activities. Either way, The United States Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship: Intermediate Horsemanship/C Level will give you an excellent basis in horsemanship for the lifelong enjoyment of horses and horse sports.

Updated and enhanced information on the most recent topics added to the Pony Club curriculum, including land conservation, horse health and safety, nutrition and veterinary topics, better organization and easy reference, and a full update of critical developments in riding, instruction, and competition. This manual, the third of the United States Pony Club Manuals of Horsemanship, builds on the fundamentals covered in Basics for Beginners/D Level and Intermediate Horsemanship/C Level. Whether you are a Pony Clubber who has passed the C Level tests, a rider who has mastered the same skills, a riding instructor or a stable manager, this manual will enable you to increase your skills and teach you what you need to know to ride with correct, classical technique in advanced work on the flat, over fences, and in the open; to evaluate and school horses; to teach horsemanship; and to manage a stable efficiently. Written for the North American horseman, this manual emphasizes sound fundamentals and classical methods based on knowledge of the horse and its systems. Whether you wish to compete in dressage, show jumping, combined training, or other horse sports; to train horses, teach riding, manage a stable, or simply enjoy horses and horsemastership at an advanced level, The United States Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship: Advanced Horsemanship/B, HA, A Levels will give you a clear and understandable guide. The USPC B Level is for active Pony Clubbers or horsepersons who are interested in acquiring further knowledge and proficiency in all phases of riding and horse care. The A, the highest rating, is divided into two parts: the HA, which covers teaching, training, and stable management, and the A, which covers advanced riding and schooling of horses at all levels. Many A Level Pony Clubbers have gone on to qualify for the United States Equestrian Team in various disciplines.

Here at last is the book horse lovers have long awaited - a thorough collection of the training techniques and philosophies of Monty Roberts.

Do you wish your horseback riding lessons could come with a user manual? Do you feel that you could serve your horses better as a rider if you only know how and what to do? Would you like to be the rider that all horses dream of? "Horse Listening: The Book" focuses specifically on riding as a means of improving the horse. Based on the popular blog, HorseListening.com, the exercises and ideas are purposely handpicked to help you develop your path to becoming an effective rider, not only for your own benefit, but also for your horse's long-term well being. Special "In the Ring" sections give specific suggestions to try while riding. By following these simple, useful exercises, you will be able to develop a better understanding about: - the rider's aids - the use of the seat - the half-halt - accurate turns and circles - transitions - hind end engagement - rein lameness

If you broke your horse to saddle and rode it for the first time yesterday, this book (chapter 1) is where you'd start tomorrow. If you have an older horse and you've taught him everything you know and he still don't know nothin', this book is where you'd start, (chapter 2). It's a roadmap to building the foundation every horse needs, regardless of age, breed or background, regardless of what you've got ultimately planned for that horse. Afterwards, when your horse knows this book back to front, go train for barrels, roping, eventing, jumping or dressage. But today, basics are basics. Section I is the stuff your horse needs to know. Section II is the stuff (the theory) you need to know. Practice the first handful of chapters in order, as written. Beyond that, you should feel free to mix and match depending on your needs or abilities. Some chapters are dependent upon others - but in those cases, I've spelled out necessary prerequisites. Question: "I just bought a horse. What do I do now?" Answer: "Buy my book, 'What I'd Teach Your Horse.'" Contents: SECTION I, BASICALLY TRAINING YOUR HORSE - Legs Mean Move (Step 1 if This Is "Day 2" for Your Young Horse) - Hip Control, Part I - Hip Control, Part II - Classic Serpentine - Train Your Horse to Travel Straight - Clockwork: How to Teach Anything to Your Horse - Shoulder Control - The Reverse Arc Circle - How to Fix Leaning Shoulders - Serpentine: Indirect to Direct - Speed Control - Slow Down, Part I: Move the Hip - Slow Down, Part II: Wherein We Train the Brain - Balky Horses: Comatose One Minute, Hot to Trot the Next - Crossing Creeks and Scary Stuff - Teach Your Horse to Lower Its Head While Standing - Better Back Ups - Simple Steps to Power Steering - Diagonal Movement ("Leg Yields Without the Legs") - Softening - Getting Leads - A Fix for Cross-Firing (aka "Cross-Cantering") - Hips, Get Behind the Shoulders (And Stay Put) - Hips-in (aka "Haunches-in" or "Travers") - Neck Reining How-To SECTION II, TEACHING YOU, THE THEORY BEHIND THE PRACTICE - The First Thing I Do - Each Time You Mount Up, Do This - How to Pick Up Your Reins Like a Pro - Training Magic: Release on the Thought - What You're Feeling For - Reins Tell Direction, Legs Tell Speed - Talking Horse - See Yourself Leading When Riding - Perfect the First Time - Six Easy Ways to Improve Your Training - Rider Checklists - Diagnosing Problems Books by This Author Meet the Author: Keith Hosman "If I had a dollar for every email I get asking "what to do" to make a riding horse out of the mare Uncle Emo just traded for the old RV—or how to retrain a horse that's grown rusty—or some version on either theme, I'd be the world's first gazillionaire. With the publication of this book then, I'm hoping to grab that distinction."

Clever ways to improve your horse’s performance when groundwork is all you can do. There are dozens of reasons you might not be able to ride your horse. Weather can have an impact on your riding and training choices, sometimes keeping you out of the saddle, as can an injury to you or your horse, or changes in lifestyle or horsemanship goals. But time not riding does not need to be time wasted, explains trainer and popular instructor Vanessa Bee. As Founder of the International Horse Agility Club, Bee brings to the stable a unique set of skill-building techniques and exercises that anyone can use to better understand how the horse moves and how to influence that movement, resulting in better behavior on the ground, improved performance under saddle, and strengthened connection whenever and however you and your horse interact. Bee's degree in education and experience as a teacher, as well as a horse trainer and riding instructor, informs the way she presents her easily achievable lessons that you can do right in the barn with limited equipment, including: Exercises to help you get to know your horse better. Safe handling techniques. Specific ways to build a trusting relationship. Fun games and ideas for engaging the horse's mind and body. Challenges that test willingness, balance, and focus. With five foundation skills providing a clear place to start, and step-by-step instructions for 50 individual tasks and activities on the ground that not only engage both horse and rider but build toward immense rewards under saddle, this vibrantly illustrated book delivers for riders of all ages and abilities. Whether your goals are better dressage scores or quiet trail rides, or just safe and fulfilling time spent in the company of horses, Rainy Day Horsemanship has the positive steps you can take, starting today, whatever the season, whatever the weather.