4 comments about Klaus Balkenhol: The Man and His Training Methods.

1. This is really three to this book. The first is Mr. Balkenhol's biography, the second is his training methods, and the third concerns the duties of riders and coaches.
   
   In his biography, the author presents a fascinating story of Mr. Balkenhol's childhood, his riding career as a mounted policeman, to his rise to the top of the international scene and coach of the US dressage team. Throughout this part of the book, Mr. Balkenhol also talks about the different horses he has ridden and what they have taught him.
   
   In the second part of the book, Mr. Balkenhol also discusses his specific training methods for the upper-level movements of piaffe, passage, and one-tempi changes. In the third part of the book, Mr. Balkenhol discusses what makes a good riding coach. He offers advice on what a rider should get from a good coach.



2. The book is well written and an easy read, however, a lot of space is used to boost Klaus Balkenhol which should not be needed. He is already well known and respected. I think this can happen when the author is a friend to Balkenhol or too much of an admirer. I would have liked more of his training methods, more horse facts. The overall impression though is that the book has its place in the flood of horse books, and that Balkenhol's love for horses, and respect for them, comes through very well.
   Carina Gerken Christiansen



3. This book is a combination of Mr. Balkenhol's life story and his training methods. It's not a step 1, 2, 3 book. How his philosophy on training evolved over his lifetime with specific examples is fascinating. The book has a unique format, the top half of each page is his philosophy and examples and the bottom of each page is his life biography. I highly recommend this book for both the advanced and the beginning rider.



4. An excellent book that looks at the life of an interesting master. Includes some nice tips on training, but the highlights are the stories of his horses and how he dealt with different issues with them. Lovely pictures.

5 comments about Straightening the Crooked Horse.

1. This book helped open my eyes to the effects of crookedness in horses. Their explanations of the causes and effects crookedness has on horses was very helpfull. Following their protocol has helped my horse recover from an injury that really made him one sided. I wish there were more specific instructions with the lunging exercises, but even with the information in the book I was able to get started and see results. I will never look at a horse the same again.



2. Way too intense for me to read straight through. Reading the book only convinced me that IF I thought I had a crooked horse, I'd have to find local professional help that I could afford. A little intimidating if you don't have the funds to ship a horse around.



3. After thousands of dollors spent on vets my horse still wasn't sound and there was no idea why after reading this book and using it my horse is now sound. this is a great book.



4. This book is more than a little difficult to read and understand, at times. However, making the effort is worth it, because it explains the background reasons for so many problems owners have with their horses. Whatever your horseriding background, learning to spot and rectify a horse's natural crookedness will improve his athleticism, obedience and working life. Scattered throughout the book are lunging and ridden exercises which will help to achieve that goal.
   
   Especially valuable in the book is a description of crookedness based on a description of the horse's "dominant leg", which I found much easier to get a grip on than standard terms such as "right-bend horse", "hollow left", etc, which can occasionally mean a different thing depending on who is using them!



5. This book took 85 pages to tell you over and over that horses are crooked and need to be straightened. Then when you FINALLY get to the part that's supposed to tell you how, they say that every horse is different so they can't really tell you how! It never delivers on actually telling you what to try. The only two tips I gleened were "tip his head to the inside" and "poke his shoulder until it moves out". The photos were not helpful either. Clinton Anderson says the same thing in his groundwork videos, but actually shows you what to do. I ride dressage and read extensively, and this book seems nothing more than a promotional effort for the authors' stables in Germany. Save money and buy something else!

2 comments about Equine Exercise Physiology.

1. My daughter has recently received her owner/trainer licence in Australia after years of breaking and pre-training racehorses. I have been purchasing several books through Amazon (books not easily available in Australia) regarding training and this one, with its easy to comprehend scientific approach to training is an excellent step up.



2. Not many other texts on the subject, this one more complete than the others.

2 comments about Principles of Riding (German National Equestrian Federation's Complete Riding and) (German National Equestrian Federation's Complete Riding and) (German ... Equestrian Federation's Complete Riding and.

1. excellent delivery service. books are in great condition at very good price! Those books i ordered, just went up $10 more after i got all 5 of them!



2. This classic teaching manual provides a complete basic instruction course for horse and rider using the German training system. No matter you are a jumper, dressage, or trail rider, this book is probably the most complete reference book for every beginner trough First Level rider. I recommend it to everyone who is willing to start his and his horse's training with the basics and to build on them. I list the contents here because I did miss it when I bought the book.
   GENERAL: Equine Nature, the Rider, The School Horse, The Instructor, The training Area, The School, Code of Practice for Hacking Out and Cross-Country Riding, Dress and Equipment, Preparation for Riding. THE BASIC TRAINING FOR THE RIDER: Planning the Training, Seat and Position, Application of the Aids, "Feel", Co-ordination and Effect of the Aids. BASIC EXERCICES: Riding-in and Exercises to obtain Looseness (Losgelassenheit), Basic Schooling Exercises and Dressage Movements, Basic Jumping Exercises for the Rider, Basic Exercises in Outdoor and Cross-Country Riding/Jumping, Weekend and Long Distance Rides, Hunting, Drag Hunts and Simulated Hunts. BASIC TRAINING FOR THE HORSE: The Rider, Horse's Development and Behaviour, The Basic Gaits, Initial Handling and Backing, Dressage Training (Basic flatwork), Jumping Training, Cross-Country Training, Training Horses with Conformation Defects and Difficult Temperaments. TIPS FOR RIDING IN COMPETITION: Riding a Dressage Test, Riding in a Jumping Competition, Riding in Cross-Country Competitions

5 comments about Straight from the Horse's Mouth: How to Talk to Animals and Get Answers.

1. I suppose I ought to have paid more attention before ordering this book to the reviews to understand the tenor of it. I got it as a gift for a dog mad friend, but then perusing the back cover realized it might be a little too crazy for him, or me, so I decided the best thing to do was to crack it open before giving it to him.
   
   This book is really for people who are ready to believe just about anything, if you have any critical faculty whatsoever, this book is not for you! It's not only about communicating with animals IT'S ALSO ABOUT COMMUNICATING WITH DEAD ANIMALS AND DEAD PEOPLE AND DEAD PEOPLE'S ANIMALS AND DEAD ANIMAL'S PEOPLES etc. I mean, basically, it's off the wall! And FLUFFY GETS CANCER ONLY TO MAKE HER MISTRESS GIVE UP HER BAD BOYFRIEND!!! I mean, it's out there!
   
   I give it 2 stars cause it's not as though reading some of it isn't amusing but to read all of it? No way!!



2. This book shares stories from Ms. Kinkade's experience of communicating with animals. And each chapter delves into specific areas, where you can also learn how to communicate with animals especially your pets. I've tried it myself and it works but it needs practice. But the great benefit of this book is that you learn how to "talk" to your animals even in just a one-way communication, how you could tell (for example) your cat to stop scratching your sofa. Very helpful, funny, and very touching.



3. Interesting book. I think it was a good overview of what the author does and a good attempt at describing how she does it. I wonder if it would be possible to commmunicate with animals without involving all the spirit guides, goddesses and guided imagery she deems necessary? Sometimes I questioned whom she was communicating with: the animal or the contacted spirit guide talking for the animal . I'm truly not sure communication with animals is something you can learn from a book. I appreciated the lists in the back on recommended foods and products that are not tested on animals.



4. I loved this book because the author clearly loves what she is able to do, takes us step-by-step through her processes and is a personable writer. Concepts like these can go "airy-fairy" pretty quickly but Ms. Kinkade's humor keeps us rooted to an earthy plane as our hearts and minds soar into the quantum possibilities beyond the realm of our 5 senses.
   
   I highly recommend this book for it easy to put into use methods and optimistic musings of its upbeat author.



5. This was a very informative book - Amelia Kinkade did a very good job at explaining how to talk with animals. A lot of what she said I could relate to, and with her style of writing, easy to put in focus. Her chapter on "crossing over" was especially well written and informative. This is one of the only books on this subject I've read from cover to cover, and I would recommend this book to anyone interested in understanding and trying to "talk" with your pet. I have not been able to "talk" with my animals, but that's my problem - I have difficulty finding "quite" time in my life. After reading this book, I would be very interested in attending one of her training sessions, if she comes to a town nearby.

1 comments about Communicating with Cues: The Rider's Guide to Training and Problem Solving (The Making of a Perfect Horse, Part II).

1. John Lyons takes you step by step and this training method really works! We have a green broke horse and she has responded wonderfully! My husband works with her everyday for short periods and she is learning! He really helps you to understand just how different humans think than horses.

5 comments about Right from the Start: Create a Sane, Soft, Well-Balanced Horse.

1. This book is so clear, so logical, and so methodical that the big mystery of dressage is cleared up. Finally, after years of "outside rein, inside leg" someone comes along who can simplify and break it down. He also admits that in the beginning it doesn't look pretty and sometimes you have to "gasp" pull on the reins! Then you refine from that. A must-read for the backyard or serious rider.



2. I truly love the concept of starting the horse from the ground but it is not as easy as it looks. The book was very well illustrated and clear. I do think the groundwork lessons should have been in Chapter 1 and progressed from there. As it is written, the groundwork is toward the end of the book which is confusing for a novice like me. I need step-by-step guidance. I still highly recommend this book, especially for the groundwork section.



3. My ex-racehorse was a horrible tongue loller. I bought him for dressage and we know that is not allowed, my trainer told me just to keep riding him like we were and he would come around. This wasn't working because he would lock his jaw, stick his tongue out and go faster(just what he learned on the track). I started Mike's book and read chapeter 18 several times because this was my horse, everything he had to say was about my horse. So we started on softening his jaw, getting him to Soften, Bend and Move into the Hand and it worked. He still has a long way to go but his tongue lolling has decreased(I may add that he goes in a french link German silver Boucher bit). All the rein and leg aids make sense to him now and he can use his body much better. This is the ONLY book that I have yet found that addresses tongue lolling. For all you out there with a horse sticking his tongue and evading the bit try these techniques, it's not a overnight success but you will see a differance with consistent work in hand.



4. This is the best book in my library. I've had it a for a few years and have used it on several horses - one of whom refused to go on the bit for over two years before using this training method. It is clear, concise,and every step make sense and builds on the last. He gives examples and reasons for his methods and they make good common sense. It is invaluable as a tool for creating a strong foundation for a horse and even a rider's training (too often the two are considered seperate topics). I cannot recommend this book strongly enough.



5. I have been reading a lot of books about starting young horses recently and this is by far the best. Aside from the fact that it is well written and easy to follow, I feel that it answers the questions most books skip over and puts simply into words what is difficult to describe. Although there are many books that offer advice on starting young horses, many of them tell you what to do - ground schooling, long lining, lungeing - but don't give any insight on what you are trying to acheive in terms of balance, bend and contact. This book fills in those gaps and more. I also recommend "Dressage in Lightness" by Sylvia Loch (see my reviews).

5 comments about The Elements of Dressage: A Guide to Training the Young Horse.

1. If you are interested in Classical dressage.... buy this book! It is an excellent reference for working with a young horse. It is definitely all about the horse- as it should be.



2. Enjoyed the book. Not really for a beginner. I liked the way he covered the process with out going into overload on techniques you should already know about, like lunging your horse.
   Worth reading.



3. I thought this was an excellent book. I bought it to help provide some guidance while training my young horse, and it not only gave me a nice guideline of what-to-train-when, but also made dressage much more understandable.
   
   This book focuses on the German dressage training scale. The author explains the steps in training the horse, dividing it into stages (i.e. stage one you focus on A, B, and C elements, stage two you begin developing D and E). He gives some guidelines as to what your horse should be able to do before you push him for more. He then devotes a chapter to each element needed in dressage, in the order it should be developed in the horse (relaxation, regularity, freedom, contact, on the aids...). He finishes with a few miscellaneous chapters on the flying change, transitions, the inclined arena (great for eventers), Prix St. James test, and lateral movements.
   
   This book mainly aims to discuss the development of the young horse, providing a correct foundation for all further work, including eventing and show jumping. It provides more detail about the early years of training, rather than say, development of the piaffe, passage, extensions, etc.
   
   I would recommend this to all dressage riders (especially those just starting out or at the lower levels), to those people interested in putting a good foundation on a young horse (this applies to ALL disciplines!), or to those that just want a better understanding of how to ride a horse correctly. This book has great clarity, is an easy read, I even recommended it to my youngest sister (she's 12).
   
   Don't get me wrong, this is not a book for novices just learning to post. You do need a basic understanding of riding. He's not going to explain how to ask your horse to shoulder-in or get on the bit. I read this with a good working knowledge of dressage. This just put everything into a clear format and made dressage, for once, seem simple to understand (even if its very difficult to perform!)



4. Very helpful, great ideas on horsemanship and training. A must read for anyone serious about correct, empathetic horsemanship.



5. This is a book that should be mandatory reading for all aspiring Dressage riders, as well as those who train and start youngsters! This book provides detailed descriptions as well as a thoughtfully laid out format. Kurd follows the German training tree - with one exception that makes sense and gets results quicker! Read the book to find out what it is!

4 comments about Build Confidence Over Fences!: Take the Fear Out of Jumping with This Simple Step-By-Step Plan.

1. The best book ever written for the average rider. Simple, concise and yet well explained. I thought it was so good I bought a copy for my sixteen year old niece.



2. I have really enjoyed this book. It has simple, straightforward exercises I can do on my own.
   After some bad experiences, this book has really helped me move forward.
   I would just like more exercises to build upon.



3. The 1 rating is for the confusion of this order. I have received notification that the book was out of print; mailed; then that I had cancelled the order...I have no clue what has happened to the book I have ordered. It would be nice to be able to truly give a review of it!! I have not found a way to contact anyone about this, though I have tried.



4. This book paid for itself in its first lesson, fixing lead changes...it worked straight from the start. AWESOME.

1 comments about Professional Care of the Racehorse, Revised Edition: A Guide to Grooming, Feeding, and Handling the Equine Athlete.

1. Any owning or racing a horse will quickly come to consider PROFESSIONAL CARE OF THE RACEHORSE a 'Bible' of information - or will have to learn the same information the harder way, through the school of hard knocks. From grooming and basic training to understanding injuries and basic care of the feet, here under one cover is everything you need to know to keep your racehorse in top performing condition. Black and white photos and diagrams throughout add illustration wherever needed. A 'must' reference for racehorse owners.