A multifaceted training system for riders and horses of all levels. Most books discuss the physical aspects of riding: horse position, rider position, use of aids, schooling exercises, and movements. Betsy Steiner, however, an international rider and trainer, believes that the physical is just one-third of the riding equation, and that two equally important vital components—the intellectual and the psychological—are often ignored. Her approach to riding and training is to use the body, mind, and spirit, all working together to create a rich experience she call gymnastic training that addresses horse and rider as the three-dimensional beings that they are. This training system is geared toward maintaining proper form and alignment—crucial for human and equine athletes alike. Progress is achieved by use of inventive gymnastic schooling exercises for the horse, and a tailored program of Pilates exercises enabling the rider to become athletic, lithe, energetic, and flexible.

"A new approach to the classical methods of training dressage horses--methods that can cause the animals undue physical and emotional distress--these powerful new techniques from world-renowned horse trainer and behaviorist Linda Tellington-Jones improve not only the dressage horse's performance but also its well-being. The guide employs the author's legendary TTouch method and features practical dressage-training information on topics such as relaxing the overly touchy horse, focusing the overly playful horse, improving balance and transitions, and solving problems with stage fright. In addition to the providing the tips and techniques needed to ensure that the horse relishes its role in the art of dressage, numerous case studies of the top horses, riders, and trainers Tellington-Jones has worked with in her career are also included"--

A detailed overview of the centuries-old art of classical horsemanship offers a colorful history of dressage, a survey of equipment and terminology, information on competition and training, and a full course of exercises designed for horse and rider alike.

Training a horse can be a frustrating experience for rider and animal alike. From dealing with a horse that won’t listen to rectifying erratic behavior, this guide covers hundreds of common training challenges and offers proven solutions to your most pressing issues. Stressing effective communication, realistic goals, and the importance of an enjoyable atmosphere, Jessica Jahiel helps you get the most out of your training sessions by pinpointing what’s causing the problem and providing strategies to help both rider and horse stay engaged and focused.

Includes illustrated exercises and routines for horses of very age, ability and discipline, with conditioning aimed at improving soundness, stamina, longevity and quality of motion, in a book geared toward all types of riders, from backyard horse owners to competitive show riders. Original.

Over 15 years ago, Jane Savoie wrote the first book to recognize the importance of training the mind and shaping attitude in order to achieve higher levels of riding skill than ever imagined. Riders who benefited from the lessons in That Winning Feeling! clamored for more, and Savoie responded with her fabulous follow-up book, It's Not Just About the Ribbons, which is in its fifth year of publication and now available in paperback. Once again, Savoie shares the tools and ideas for self-improvement that she has used, not only to help herself deal with challenges, but her students—who range from Olympic contenders to intermediate riders—as well. Full of shining examples of the success of Savoie's methods of dealing with riding's—and life's—challenges, this book is essential for anyone who is passionate about horses but may be struggling, at some level or other, with negative emotions and frustration from slow development of riding skills. All readers will find that, with Savoie's contagious enthusiasm along for the ride, they too can make changes more easily and playfully while better enjoying every moment with their horses.

The first edition of Equine Locomotion has established itself as the book in the equine literature that discusses all aspects of equine locomotion and gait analysis, written by an international team of editors and contributors.The new edition continues this trend and gives the reader a complete picture of the horse in motion, at the same time including many recent findings in this area. The book begins with a history of man's association with the horse and then continues to discuss with comprehensive descriptions of the present state of knowledge beginning with the initiation of gait and ending with the more scientific area of computer modeling. In the new edition, the list of contributors continues to comprise of authors who are acknowledged experts in their subject areas and includes many new illustrations.•international team of editors and contributors, with leading experts from the USA, the Netherlands, Sweden and France (all centres of excellence for the study of equine locomotion)•editors are from two of the worlds leading locomotion centres – Utrecht and Michigan•highly illustrated with nearly 500 detailed line drawings and illustrations•covers all you will ever need to know about equine locomotion, gait analysis and much more•international team of editors and contributors, with leading experts from the USA, the Netherlands, Sweden and France (all centres of excellence for the study of equine locomotion)•editors are from two of the worlds leading locomotion centres – Utrecht and Michigan•highly illustrated with nearly 500 detailed line drawings and illustrations•covers all you will ever need to know about equine locomotion, gait analysis and much more

In 2008, 26–year–old Tik Maynard faced a crossroads not unlike that of other young adults. A university graduate and modern pentathlete, he suffered both a career–ending injury and a painful breakup, leaving him suddenly adrift. The son of prominent Canadian equestrians, Maynard decided to spend the next year as a “working student.” In the horse industry, working students aspire to become professional riders or trainers, and willingly trade labor for hands–on education. Here Maynard chronicles his experiences–good and bad–and we follow along as one year becomes three, what began as a casual adventure gradually transforms, and a life's purpose comes sharply into focus. Over time, Maynard evolved under the critical eyes of Olympians, medal winners, and world–renowned figures in the horse world, including Anne Kursinski, Johann Hinnemann, Ingrid Klimke, David and Karen O'Connor, Bruce Logan, and Ian Millar. He was ignored, degraded, encouraged, and praised. He was hired and fired, told he had the “wrong body type to ride” and that he had found his “destiny.” He got married and lost loved ones. Through it all he studied the horse, and human nature, and how the two can find balance. And in that journey, he may have found himself.

The Sixth Edition of Adams and Stashak’s Lameness in Horses builds on the book’s reputation as the classic gold-standard reference on equine lameness. Now in full color, the text has been fully revised and streamlined to improve user-friendliness, with a new, simplified format and a stronger emphasis on the diagnosis and management of lameness. A valuable supplementary DVD provides a complete guide to diagnosing lameness, offering additional anatomical images; video clips demonstrating key procedures such as physical examination, flexion tests, perineural and intrasynovial anesthesia; and examples of lameness conditions in motion. The Sixth Edition presents new or significantly rewritten chapters on the axial skeleton, principles of musculoskeletal disease, principles of therapy for lameness, occupation-related lameness conditions, and lameness in the young horse. The diagnostic procedures chapter has also been significantly expanded to reflect advances in this important area. Adams and Stashak’s Lameness in Horses, Sixth Edition is an essential addition to any equine practitioner’s bookshelf.