5 comments about Yoga for Equestrians: A New Path for Achieving Union with the Horse.

1. There is wisdom in stretching and relaxing before working with your horse. If you are upset or tense, your horse can sense it and can make for a difficult or really bad work session. My instructor always says "To end on a good note". My mare is particularly sensitive to my moods and would react based on my body language. I had a problem relieving the tension in my lower back due to an injury and my mare could feel it in my seat and legs.
   
   I had picked up a few tips from other riders, but when I purchased the Linda's book, things seemed to click, from breathing to helping me ease the tension in my back. I would try a few exercises before I mounted and while I was mounted. My mare was more relaxed. I think that this book (and video) helped.
   
   I recommend getting the book and the video. The book is great with photos and more in-depth instruction of technique and postures. It is recommended that if you are new to yoga, like myself, that you read the first few chapters before attempting the postures. The video is helpful for those who wish to work with voice instruction and movement instead of flipping through pages and trying to execute what they've just read.



2. As an avid rider for many years, I found this book very helpful. I have a problem with riding "crooked" because of a rotated pelvis. My unevenness has become more noticeable in the years that I have been riding without an instructor. This book helps you become aware of your body and what you are doing with it. Highly recommended (even if you don't do much yoga -- I don't, but this was just my speed!)



3. I have waited a long time to buy this book, and now that I finally have it I wish I'd bought it sooner. It has great explanations of how yoga connects with horseback riding. The exercises range from stretching techniques to easy muscle toning for primary riding areas, like the glutes. The stretching exercises are a great way to relax before going to bed. If you're a "weekend" rider and would like a way to work a little bit on your toning and balance between rides, this is the book. Don't let the yoga part turn you off. It's great!



4. My daughter and I traveled from Central New York to W. Springfield, Mass Nov. 9, 2002 to attend Equine Affaire. There were many workshops and presentations. Linda Benedik was one that we decided we would both enjoy. She demonstrated many of the yoga positions and had us all doing them with her. My daughter is an avid rider, I however just enjoy horses. At 52 I found the yoga made me feel so much more relaxed that I feel it would benefit everyone whether you are a horse person or not. I can not rate the book as I just got it and haven't had the opportunity to read it all yet but if it is 1/10th as good as the workshop you'll need more than 5 stars. If you ever have the opportunity to see and hear Linda Benedik in person - you'll find it well worth while.

   Connie




5. This book is excellent. The text is straight-forward and easy to follow, as are the exercises -- amply illustrated. I found just doing a twenty minute routine from this book daily has already helped with suppleness, flexibility and relaxation. If you enjoyed Sally Swift's Centered Riding, then you'll find this a very complimentary read. If fact Swift garners a few mentions along the way. You can't go far in riding if you're tense or inflexible, and this book has lots of ways to counter both those problems. I highly recommend it.

2 comments about Miniature Horses: A Veterinary Guide for Owners & Breeders.

1. This is an excellent resource for the miniature horse for both the experienced horeman and the owner new to miniatures. Miniatures do present some veterinary issues unique to the breed and this book addresses them thoroughly and well. Information is clear and easy to understand and the drawings and pictures are very helpful. The breeding section is filled with helpful information for the mini mare owner who may be considering breeding and should be read before breeding your mare.



2. Maintaining good equine health, and prompt diagnosis and treatment of illness or injury are Number One concerns for any horse owner. In the case of Miniatures, having the right information at your fingertips can often make the difference between having a positive result or a tragic one. This veterinary guide addresses the special medical concerns of the Miniature Horse, as they pertain to small size and the attendant unique physiological and metabolic demands.
   
   Dr. Rebecca Frankeny approaches Miniature Horses from both a veterinary standpoint and that of an owner, and her fondness and appreciation for the breed gives her advice a nice personal touch. Dr. Frankeny holds the position of surgeon at Comstock Large Animal Hospital in Reno, Nevada, and also teaches equine medicine to pre-veterinary students and animal science majors.
   
   This guide is organized by systems: Musculoskeletal (in-depth discussion of feet and legs), Respiratory, Teeth and Jaws, Liver (including hyperlipemia and hepatic lipidosis), Gastrointestinal (colic including causes, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and when to call a veterinarian), Endocrine (diseases as they relate to treatment in Miniatures), and Reproduction (extensive information on special needs of Miniature mares). A brief, but informative chapter on dwarfism outlines what it is, how and why it appears, and how to care for dwarf Miniatures.
   
   Contributing author Stephen Duren, Ph.D. discusses nutrition in Miniatures, with special emphasis on balanced nutrients in feed, and nutritional needs of various stages in the Miniature's life. He also discusses feeding the overweight or underweight horse, needs of older horses, stallions, broodmares, growing horses, and performance horses. This information is of great value to any owner, new or seasoned.
   
   Several appendices enhance the text: Normal Physiological Parameters and a list of Poisonous Plants are good information to have. A chart of Clinical Signs of Disease is one of the outstanding features in this book-a quick look-up for a symptom has the corresponding page number next to it. The final appendix is a list of resources for Miniature Horses; the only disadvantage to such information is that as the book ages, so does the contact information.
   
   This book is well-written and understandable, for both laypersons with no equine experience, and established owners. The author is careful to explain new words and, in many cases, veterinary terms are in boldface type with extended explanation in the glossary. The text is nicely enhanced with color photos and good diagrams. A comprehensive index rounds out this excellent book, which should be part of any Miniature Horse owner's reference bookshelf.

5 comments about Ride with Your Mind Essentials: Innovative Learning Strategies for Basic Riding Skills.

1. I`ve mainly ridden (for a few years) as an adult and have my own horse. It is through my horse that I`ve discovered just how weak my riding truly was. Pretty good on school horses, but with my horse it`s a different story. On one hand my weaknesses are completely pointed out and unforgiven, yet my successes (when they truly are successes) are equally rewarded.
   
   I`ve looked at lots of other methods to achieve riding and partnership success with my horse, including Parelli, yet this is hands down the best approach to riding I`ve found.
   
   I`ve only just begun to practice the methods and exercises in this book and already I`m seeing great results. No question it`s alot of work and coordination, but when you get it right it feels truly wonderful! I already feel much more secure even though I`m far from the ideal as she puts it. I particularly like her references to how great riders seem to be `just sitting there and doing nothing`, when in fact they are doing quite alot, with very high muscle tone and she then explains in detail just how you can do it too. I`ve read other books that are filled with riding jargon but light on specifics - I love this book because of the great detail of specifically describing each aspect then telling you how to achieve it complete with both on and off horse exercises.
   
   My only regret is not finding this book sooner - from the title I had always thought it would be more about riding psycology - it is decidedly NOT, and all about body mechanics, both for you and the horse!



2. I have loved and ridden horses all my life. I thought I knew what I was doing. After the first reading of Mary's other book, Ride with Your Mind Masterclass, I realized I have a lot more to learn.
   
   For me, this book, Essentials, is the follow-on to Masterclass. There are several pieces to the puzzle in this book that are not in Masterclass. On the other hand, this book has a pared-down presentation (which you might expect from the title), and in many cases the text and illustrations did not make it clear to me what I was to do or how I was to feel. I was glad to have read Masterclass first. Now that I have, I need this book too, because it goes into much more detail about some aspects of riding.



3. This is the most useful training book (for any subject!) that I have read. Mary Wanless is truely gifted at explaining what common terms actually mean in a physical sense. Since auditing a clinic where I purchased the book, my riding has improved tremendously. I'm still a raw beginner (even though I've been riding for a few years), but am starting to feel secure and effective in the saddle. Its hard work, but I can feel my muscles developing and changing which is very rewarding. Plus my Norwegian Fjord Horses seem happier :-) I recommend this book to everyone!



4. Where Sally Swift, through Centered Riding opened the door to riding in balance with awareness, Mary Wanless leads us through that same door and into the light. She describes how the best riders in the world achieve flawless, brilliant performances from their horses with seemingly little use of their bodies. Many of them don't know or can't tell you how they do it! Mary wanless has come to a total understanding of HOW. But more than that, she serves it up in small, " digestable chunks" that we can easily digest and use in our search for the connection with our horse that will achieve the beauty and lightness and willingness we all desire . Her knowledge of horse and human biomechanics is key. Her ability to teach it goes beyond what "good" riding instructors impart to their students. She is truly gifted in her ability to teach what has taken her a long time to learn. This is the true "Basics" we hear about that we need for the foundation of our riding that must stay with us throughout our riding career no matter what horse sport we choose.



5. Where Sally Swift, through Centered Riding opened the door to riding in balance with awareness, Mary Wanless leads us through that same door and into the light. She describes how the best riders in the world achieve flawless, brilliant performances from their horses with seemingly little use of their bodies. Many of them don't know or can't tell you how they do it! Mary wanless has come to a total understanding of HOW. But more than that, she serves it up in small, " digestable chunks" that we can easily digest and use in our search for the connection with our horse that will achieve the beauty and lightness and willingness we all desire . Her knowledge of horse and human biomechanics is key. Her ability to teach it goes beyond what "good" riding instructors impart to their students. She is truly gifted in her ability to teach what has taken her a long time to learn. This is the true "Basics" we hear about that we need for the foundation of our riding that must stay with us throughout our riding career no matter what horse sport we choose.

5 comments about Breaking and Training the Driving Horse: A Detailed and Comprehensive Study (Wilshire Horse Lovers Library).

1. I have actually trained my horse according to Ms. Ganton's book and it took virtually no time at all. I did not use a bitting rig - as my horse was already being ridden. I had virtually no driving experience and found the book easy to understand and the techniques simple. This is an excellent book for the novice driver. As an added note: my horse was always ridden bitless and no bit was used to teach him to drive. He goes bitless and blinderless. Aside from her strict use of blinders (never used by fire horses back in the day and used very little in Europe and horse farming)I will use her method with every horse I teach to drive.



2. Unfortunatley with this book, it didn't give me the information I was looking for. I have driven before, but have never broken a horse to harness, and wanted to make sure I was taking all the right precautions to do it right the frist tim.. I felt this book left alot of questions unasnwered, especially with the grainy and unclear drawings. The insctructions were very unclear and there was no concise "to the point" aspect about them. Honestly, I basically got a review of what I already knew, and felt this book would not be a help for someone breaking her horse to drive. If anythign it is a usefull reference for those already having experience in driving. After reading through it, this book is going in ebay.



3. There is one significant part of this book with which I must take issue. After one succeeds in harnessing and then hitching the green horse to the cart, do NOT, under any circumstances, follow the book's advice to then lead the horse with the empty cart behind. I did this and the horse was so alarmed by the noise behind him that he took off with me running alongside, hanging on to the bridle, trying to get a badly frightened running horse to stop. We finally came to a fence, much to the relief of us both. Since then, I've spoken to several 'driving' trainers and all of them, without exception, say to never, ever lead a horse with an empty cart behind. If I had been unable to keep up with my panicked horse (and it was a miracle that I could) he would have wrecked and most probably his driving days would have been over. Following that horrible event, he had to go back to square one in his training and be brought slowly forward again.



4. Did I read the same book as the rest of these folks? Wefound the "illustrations" to be amateurish drawings with very little clear detail and the photos were from afar and grainy with no discernable detail. The sections on how to harness, and particularly the fit of the harness, were poorly organized and without enough details. Basically, the book is very wordy but without giving enough clear step-by-step instructions and sharp diagrams and photos to really make the reader certain that they are proceeding correctly.
   
   In reading and preparing for the first few lessons I felt secure that I had JUST enough information from the book to carry out her instructions. In practice, we got as far as the training shafts. We constructed them per her measurements, and tried to follow all of her instructions. Unfortunately for a rank novice there was not enough detailed information about how long the traces ought to be on a correctly fitted harness or how far and high from the horse's back legs the cross member should safely be positioned. Our first session in the "poles" was nearly disasterous. We were left with many questions regarding the correctness of our harness and/or should we have modified it in some way to make the exercise more successful. We found ourselves peering at the grainy photos straining to glean some detail that might explain why our set-up didn't fit her description. In reviewing the material we found that should we survive to hitch the horse to a cart, we would be uncertain as to similar details about distances, heights, lengths, etc.



5. Doris L Ganton presents all of the wonderful information in this book in a clear, easy to understand format complete with pictures and detailed drawings to depict exactly what she is talking about. Great book for the first time driver, or someone new to training. This is an excellent buy!

5 comments about The USDF Guide to Dressage.

1. I'm not an advanced rider, by any stretch of the imagination. I consider myself an advanced beginner - training level.
   I found about half of this book to be too basic for me.
   It is well written, clear and concise. Good as a reference. Nicely put together book.
   It would be a great gift for someone recently starting into dressage.



2. In order to take you riding skills (dressage skills) to the next level, this book is what you need. Jennifer Bryant's book is the perfect compliment to your dressage training. Her relaxed tone makes it an easy and fun read as well as enormously informative.
   Clear instructions enhanced with pictures and drawings makes the text very clear and easy to understand.
   I am an advanced dressage rider and I highly recommend this book to anyone that are looking to perfect his or hers riding.



3. I have found The USDF Guide to Dressage by Jennifer Bryant to be an easy-to-read, clear and concise book on Dressage. It is chock full of great information and nice photos.
   
   Chapters include information on the history of Dressage, basic Dressage training, physical fitness for both horse and rider (with even some fitness exercises shown for the rider), and much more.
   
   The book also discusses whether or not you are "Dressage material" and what you should know before and during your first Dressage show.
   
   An informative Appendix is listed in the back of the book, too.
   
   This book would be a great addition to anyone's Dressage/Horse library.



4. I found this book to be a well-illustrated and easy-to-read guide. My one comment, or warning to those considering this book, is that as an official guide of the major national dressage organization, it is clearly geared toward those riders whose primary interest is in eventually competing. For the "recreational" dressage rider, much of the nitty-gritty of this book will be of little interest, and the real meat of training and riding techniques may seem too superficially covered. Overall though, great book for what it is and was written for!



5. This book should be on the shelf of EVERY dressage rider. Particularly useful to the newcomer, it is also a way the experienced rider can stay on the same page as all their collegues.

5 comments about The Foaling Primer: A Month-by-Month Guide to Raising a Healthy Foal.

1. Nice book to add to your library......nicely done and I'm glad I made the purchase.



2. This book covers a lot of things and has very thorough information. I bought a Morgan mare last year and had her bred; she had her first foal in May 2008. It was also my first foal as well. This book gave me a lot of valuable information on how to take care of a pregnant mare, a newborn foal, and a foal as it is growing. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who needs a good run down on how to raise a foal.



3. I have just purchased my first Foal at 2 weeks old (mom is at the same farm) and found this book has lots of information for the first timer (not sure it would be useful if you have any experience with foals). I found it gave me some great general knowledge of working with the little guys but still left me desiring lots more info. Will keep looking for another baby book but this one was a good start.



4. I am really enjoying this book. having my first foal is scarey for me and this book is making it easier.



5. As an old horsewoman attending her aged mare having her first foal, I was feeling in great need of advice and counsel. This book delivered it. We had everything in place well ahead of time, and the whole thing went like clockwork. I knew exactly when to rip the bag and when to assist with some gentle traction. I hope everyone is blessed with such a textbook delivery. But if you aren't, this primer should see you through until the vet comes.

2 comments about A Life With Horses: Spirit of the Work.

1. I recieved this book yesterday, and I have not been able to put it down yet. I find myself reading through the pages and then flipping back and forth to view these amazing pictures again and again. Mark and Kathleen are masters at the work and I am hoping that I will one day be able to participate in one of these clinics. I have always felt like they do about the gentleness of training and building a trusted relationship with my horse, and when I read one of Mark's books for the first time last year, I was hooked. I have read them all... What a treasure this book is.. It is now my offical "coffee table" book...



2. A Life With Horses: Spirit of the work is a lovely book to spend a few moments with. This book lets me feel my horses when I am far from them.
   Grace

5 comments about Happy Horsemanship.

1. I received this book when I was 7 (I'm now 23) years old before starting lessons for the first time. It has remained one of my most beloved childhood memories and favorite book. A MUST have for all young riders and those who are young at heart!



2. I am a beginning adult rider and I absolutely loved this book, it is funny and helpful on all levels for beginners. I think all new riders should read it!



3. My husband and I were referred to this book by our riding instructor. We are both grown adults, but have no real horse experience. Even though this book seems to be geared toward children, it is very helpful for the adults who may not want to admit how little they know!!! This book answere all those questions you think may be too silly to ask your teacher! It's great for all ages!



4. The name of the book is Happy Horsemanship by Dorothy Henderson Pinch. The book is about how horses behave, how to control a horse, how to trot, stop, canter, gallop, jump, the tools used for taking care of a horse, the materials, you need to ride a horse, the different kinds of reins, what not to do, and how to take care of a horse.
   
   I think this book is great. I think this book would be great for a child that is learning how to ride.-Kristine



5. Having instructed students and trained horses for over 35 years, it's still tough to find books good enough to recommend to people trying to learn about them. THIS book does it with flying colors.

   Everything is in here: safety, compassion, how-to handle a horse and ride, along with why things are done the way they are. Presented in a fun & light-hearted way from the horse's point of view. Very understandable.

   Even though the book was written in '66 it is superior to and far more practical than the tomes being written today that confuse an experienced horseperson, let alone a novice. Whether riding English (as illustrated) or Western this book tells what needs to be known.

   I bought it for my 13 yo niece just starting with horses & have recommended it to adults who have spent years with horses.

3 comments about Why Do Horses Sleep Standing Up?: 101 of the Most Perplexing Questions Answered About Equine Enigmas, Medical Mysteries, and Befuddling Behaviors (Why Do Series).

1. I bought for horse-crazy 6- and 8-year-olds -- who are too young yet to really "read" them -- and mom has scheduled read-aloud time.



2. I bought this book for a friend's birthday and looked through it before giving it to her and found it very interesting and informative. The questions are questions that the least to the most experienced horseman or women would relate to. The answers are informative and the print is not to small or large. I would recommend this book to everyone.



3. Having grown up in Central Kentucky, I have had the pleasure of being around Thoroughbreds all my life. For the past 20 years, I have made my living in the Thoroughbred industry. "Why Do Horses Sleep Standing Up?" is another example that no individual can know everything there is to know about these great animals. It is a truly wonderful book that provides colorful insight as to why horses do some of the things they do.

5 comments about The Faraway Horses: The Adventures and Wisdom of One of America's Most Renowned Horsemen.

1. I love the cadence of this book, a good read! I enjoyed his journey with various horses and his life. I recommend this book, not as a guide to training, just as a trainer's story.



2. Pretty good story,too bad I found out from this book that Buck was the horse technical advisor on the the movie The Horse Whisperer. That movie was another awful Hollywood misrepresentation and misleading work on horses and horse training. It's a shame that a real horseman like Buck could be a part of such garbage. Maybe someday Hollywood and a real horseman will get together to make a movie that shows the real nature of horses and horsemanship.



3. One of the most insiring books about Natural Horsemanship and any instructor that I have ever read. I wish I had read it before I took a clinic with Buck. I most certainly will continue to Study with him when ever possible and with the instructors he has taught. Ricky Quinn & Paul Dietz
   Thank you Buck for all that you are and all that you do for us and our Horses we love and revere so very much.
   Donna Petermann
   Gilbert Arizona



4. This book arrived in less than 1 week, in new condition. I am very happy with the service as advertised. I was given a copy of this book and have passed it along to several friends, who in turn, have passed it along until it was worn out. Quite a story and man.
   JD



5. Buck invites us on a journey of his life that is less than perfect and yet terribly intriguing. His honesty is refreshing and his story is not tainted by the misgivings of others. This book demonstrates his desire to overcome a difficult childhood, his love of horses, and his compassion for all. He is certainly not a "Hollywood cowboy," though his skills have brought him into unintended notoriety. Inspiring for all horse lovers.