A simple system for figuring out and fixing what’s wrong with a horse’s performance. Former international event rider Eric Smiley has brought along his own top-level horses for decades. Now he taps his immense knowledge to help riders whose horses may not have had "the right start." Every horse comes with his own “baggage”—behavior or training issues, minor or significant, that may be difficult to pinpoint or resolve. In these pages, Smiley addresses the most common problems he has seen over the years in dressage, eventing, and show jumping, including: Problems with head and neck position. Connection issues. Failure to follow the rules of forward, straight, and regular. Difficulty with collection. Lack of consistency. Smiley teaches readers how to identify what isn’t working by looking at how things should work. Then he walks us through dismantling and reassembling the issues, providing an easy-to-follow system for determining what's potentially wrong with a horse and choosing sensible exercises for fixing it. He introduces a troubleshooting five-point system: Ask yourself, “What is the problem?” Ask, “How, when, and why did it arise?” Ask, “Why does it need solving?” Formulate a plan. Analyze the results in the context of “now” and what they may mean for the future. Layers and shifts of understanding in horses combined with the physical and psychological challenges of riding can often make solving problems that arise seem complicated, and sometimes it is difficult to know where to even begin. Smiley’s system helps readers find that “start point” and map out a sensible plan for future training. He shows how to determine when something may have become an issue for your horse or your performance, ways to try and avoid it happening in the first place, and of course, offers highly practical solutions to employ when you find you do have a problem. Smiley’s goal is to “always leave people and horses with a positive journey to go on, with the prospect of ‘better to come.’” With its usefulness, cross-disciplinary approach, and optimism, The Sport Horse Problem Solver is all you need to achieve success in partnership with your horse, wherever you are in your journey together.

A horse-handling clinician's time-tested techniques for effectively preventing and solving common horse problems. Develop a willing partnership between horse and human. This book includes the most common problems people consistently seem to have with their horses including: groundwork, riding foundation, trailer-loading, barn- sour, spooking, crossing water and bridges, herd-bound, pulling back when tied and much, much more.

The director of the riding program at Sweet Briar College for more than 30 years, Cronin is a well-known and highly respected trainer and riding instructor. Here he presents a clear and practical guide to getting the most out of a horse in a humane and sensitive way.

Horse Riding.

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.

Contending that nearly all horse behavior problems result from incorrect or inconsistent training, this work highlights the potential behind the world’s promising equine model citizens and partners. The guide emphasizes systematic reconditioning while encouraging patience and proper skills in riders, providing a comprehensive plan for addressing issues such as bucking, bolting, rearing, spooking, lack of confidence, jumping issues, and more. Featuring a clear, accessible outline, this is the definitive solution to implementing consistent training methods, allowing riders to take full advantage of their horses’ unrealized abilities. Suggestions for starting young horses, detailed case studies, and strategies for future success are also included.

A Colorado clone of James Herriot reveals the evolution of his trainingskills through well-told...

World Champion trainer and rider Sandy Collier provides this indispensable guide of progressive training exercises for the reining horse. Whether green broke, or "push-button," every horse will perform more willingly, cleanly, and quickly with work on what she calls the "Seven Essentials"—the foundational basics every riding horse needs. Like no other book out there, Collier breaks down the maneuvers required in a reining pattern and the tricks and techniques for introducing them, perfecting them, and showing them off in competition. You'll learn about: • Collection and steering—condensing your horse's frame and getting his feet to follow his nose • Lead departures, circles, and spins—preparing for the lope, "hunting the circle," and driving into the spin • Stops, back-ups, and rollbacks—perfecting the slide, moving backward with cadence, and swinging around 180 degrees over the hocks • Lead changes—getting it right and preventing anticipation

Horses can develop a range of behavioural problems, which if left untreated, could cause the relationship between horse and human to break down. With many different well-meaning opinions offered to solve such situations, it can be difficult to find the right path. In this book, Rose Scofield examines behavioural issues using the latest academic research. Offering practical solutions and with useful diagrams and photographs throughout, the book helps to protect and develop the horse-human relationship.

Learn how to cultivate and hone that winning edge. Have you ever dreamed of taking your horsemanship to the next level; have you ever left the arena thinking you could have done better - or wondering why you didn't? International author, horse riding champion and judge Joanne Verikios shares her years of expertise and experience in this insightful book. Winning Horsemanship will show you how to achieve the success you desire and deserve. Learn how to master yourself, your horse and the secrets of winning! You will discover:- How to double your enjoyment of your horse... in and out of the arena- Tips and secrets of successful ring craft used by top trainers and riders- How to avoid painful, costly mistakes that can hold you back - or get you hurt- The psychology of confidence (and how to share it with your horse)- How simple changes in what you think can change the way your horse behaves- 7 proven steps to prepare your horse for any competition- Subtle ways to take control and say goodbye to poor performance forever Have more fun with your horse.