5 comments about From Birth to Backing: The Complete Handling of the Young Horse.

1. Coming from a person that has been riding and training horses for 21 years, I think this book was very well written. He explained exactly how to do things, the rationale for doing them, and then recapped key points at the end of each chapter. It keeps your attention and makes you want to continue reading. This is a great book for people who are raising and training their own horses. I highly recommend it.



2. I was searching for a book which would follow the same principles as Monty Roberts (author of "The Man Who Listens to Horses") and Cesar Millan (whose television show is the "Dog Whisperer"). I didn't expect to find another book on horse training so quickly which matches their psychological techniques as precisely as this book does!
   
   It appears that the reviews on this book are determined by what the reader is expecting from it. I personally will rate a book as being great when it instructs in a logical manner, contains good sense, and works when put to the test. Rare is the book that can tell you everything there is to know. This book seems to cover the basics to help one to understand the mindset of horses and that is very important, especially for younger horses since they're in their highly influential years.
   
   One word of caution: If someone appears to be copying another's ideas, don't forget how possible it is for more than one person to be capable of coming to the same conclusions on their own.



3. Young horses can be scary when you have only dealt with trained horses - even green ones and problem horses are easier to work with because you already have a common point of reference.
   Young untrained horses don't react the way you always think they should and they have different development stages just as young humans do - their behavior will change in each stage and you need to expect this. This book prepares you with telling you what is "normal" at what ages and how to deal with these everyday behavioral changes and problems that will crop up when raising your own horse. Books covering 6months - 3 years are hard to find and this was the best I found at covering the usual challenges you would face and showing you how to be a firm, kind and confident leader. This book is short and easy to read in one day, easy to use as a reference but I don't think its meant to be a one complete source - just a good starting point to get you on your way. Yes you can find bits of this information from other trainers, yes this book is not big or complete - but it is a good introduction and I still go back to it again and again.
   
   Young horses are a blank slate and as close as you will come to the wild horse mind without adopting a Mustang. Once you have reared a baby or two, you will never relate to any horse in the same way again - and it's a good thing.
   
   Combine with "Imprint Training", "Bringing up Baby" and "Right from the Start" for a complete reference collection on raising foals to young horses to be good and happy citizens.



4. While no longer a fan of Monty Roberts, I found this book very interesting. It is written for people who don't have access to a round pen. Richard did an experiment & made sure he was the only one that ever handled his 2 foals. He started them on a lunge line, and I think it was quite a few months later before he backed them & found that they were carrying themselves on a loose rein from the beginning of riding, which really impressed me. Lots of great photos. Sorry if this sounds infantile but it's late & I read this quite a while ago & couldn't believe there wasn't a review. I am definitely going to read this book again.



5. At first i was slightly put off by the review that was entitled "not worth a penny" as it was the most recent, however i carried on and read all other reviews and how glad i am. It was fantastic, a real bible, my horse and i have benefited hugely from the information given. I can only think that "Not worth a penny" was having a bad day.

   i can't wait to read richards new book, unlock your horses talents.

5 comments about 101 Longeing and Longlining Exercises.

1. This is a very good book for beginning training a young horse, because it haves a lot of simple exercises that could be done with an untrained horse. It begins with simple exercises and continues with exercises that are harder and harder.
   It is a very good book because with every exercise it explains how to do it and every other thing that horse can do and how to correct this.
   I find this book very useful for me and my horse. I found out what I did wrong and what I have to do to correct this.
   I strongly recommend this book for every one how want to learn more about how to work a horse in hand and for they how don't have a trainer.



2. Only new to the horse training realm and this book with it's well laid out structure and diagrams has been invaluable. It is also easy enough for my 12 year old daughter to understand and use.



3. I can never get enough of books with exercises that challenge both my horse and I. This book is one that every Equestrian should have, whether for training purposes or just getting back in shape. Half of the Exercises are really basic and a waste for an intermediate to advanced rider, but then again I guess all horses can use a few lessons in the refresher courses. The last 30 Exercises focus on long lining which I use on all my younger horses. They advance from driving a horse in a yin yang pattern to change direction to Figure 8s and Lazy 8s (just a flatten figure 8). Eventually the horse graduates to haunches in and shoulders in. I find that even more advanced school masters benefit from these exercises.



4. Spice up your ground work with this educational guide and develop a better relationship with your horse in the process. There are often days when we perhaps don't have the time to ride, but instead of just longeing around on the circle we could be more constructive - this book can help you. I find this book particulary useful when starting young horses.



5. I thought this book is very helpful in teaching people to use the longline.

No comments about 101 Hunter/Jumper Tips: Essentials for Riding on the Flat and over Fences (101 Tips).

5 comments about Storey's Illustrated Guide to 96 Horse Breeds of North America (Storeys Illustrated Guide).

1. I loved this book! A great resource for horse lovers, this book features all the expected popular breeds as well as several wonderful but rare breeds that I've never seen mentioned in any other book of horses. And the photography is simply glorious. Bravo!



2. This book was just what we were looking for. The photographs are gorgeous, and the text is informational, including topics such as breed characteristics, conformation, gait, color, breed registry, history of the breed, and additional interesting facts about each breed. This book is a "must-have" for anyone's equine book collection.



3. Judith Dutson's 96 Horse Breeds Of North America pairs stunning color photos by Bob Langrish with a fine survey of each of the 96 horse breeds of North America. Sidebars of information include height, place of original and special qualities for at-a-glance reference, while more extensive paragraphs on breed characteristics, history, conformation and color provide in-depth details. Perfect for any with an affection for horses and an interest in the breeds.



4. I agree with the reviewer who said that this is not a very good title. A better title would be Horses of NA or American Horses, or some such. But a great book with a bad title is still a great book, and THIS is a great book. The photographs are marvelous -- a word I rarely use. They're National Geographic quality. And the price! I would have guessed a hardback would be $60 at least. I don't know how they can sell it for so little. If you're a horse buff, you'll want this book.



5. This is overall a great book, with a really stupid title, don't let it deceive you if you are looking for a great book on horse breeds. Without seeing the book, I even thought to myself, "How did they ever come up with 96 breeds from North America!? I can't think of that many." As it turns out, the book is filled with breeds, the majority of which DO NOT originate from North America at all...strange. For example, Dutch Warmbloods, Halflingers, even Arabians, you get the idea. I suppose they really mean 96 breeds which are popular among horse owners in North America, but that doesn't make a really good title. The book contains a great deal of lovely photographs, but the format is nothing exceptional compared to breed books I have seen before. However, it's merit is featuring many breeds, exclusive to North America, which are often excluded from the books, such as the Shackleford, Sulphur, Pryor Mountain, Nokota and more.

3 comments about The Gift of the Sacred Dog (Reading Rainbow Book).

1. Man, I love anything with crazy visions in the sky - particularly the first chapter of the Biblical book Ezekiel - but the vision in this book is a neat thing to read about too. I just don't get why the buffalo was referenced at the end. Must be a Native American custom to end all stories with some mentioning of a buffalo.
   
   I'm sorry to say I still like non-sacred dogs more than sacred dogs, but I have a very good reason for doing so. Sacred dogs are much more expensive.



2. I loved this book when I was little, and I still love it now. It's great to see that it's still around. It's a wonderful story with even better illustrations for children and adults.



3. Children and adults will enjoy the colorful illustrations and tale of how the Native Americans acquired the horse. Lovely!

No comments about Cavalletti: Schooling of Horse and Rider over Ground Rails.

5 comments about The Nature of Horses.

1. I was not disappointed with this book. Very professionally written about what makes horses do what they do. It is not based on opinions but on scientific facts and observations. After reading it, you know more about why a horse spooks, is claustrophobic, is herd bound, etc. The more you know, the more you understand how to deal with your horses because you understand better why they behave that way. I recommend this book for anyone serious about learning the nature of horses.



2. My only regret about this book is that it is too short! The author writes in a way that is both informative and easy to read, pulling together many resources to attempt to provide a comprehensive and objective look at the horse, its evolution and relationship with humans.
   
   I particularly enjoyed the sections on the horse's domestication and horse genetics. The discussion of the way in which horse 'breeds' have been brought into existence and the various motivations for breeders to proceed with 'closed studbooks' while espousing the notion that they are breeding a horse suitable for a particular purpose.
   
   But there is much more. The story of the horse is expanded with explainations of anatomy and physiology and how these have affected the horse's evolution and interactions with man. How a horse's digestive system affects its size, ability to prosper on poor grazing and performance for instance, or why the absolute speed of horses, and indeed other quadrupeds, is determined by their physiology.
   
   I enjoyed this thoroughly and intend to not only read it all again but check out many of the references provided on some of the topics.



3. As a rider, trainer, and avid reader of equine literature, I can say assuredly that this is a "must read" for anyone serious about truly understanding why horses behave the way they do. It debunks many of the long standing myths that are so oft repeated in the horse world. Budiansky also gives us some history behind the human-horse relationship. Enjoyable to read, and has added to the relationship I have with my horses.



4. Overall, this was a great book, but there were several drawbacks. The author writes in a very scientific way, and puts so much information into one paragraph-long sentence that, having no time in the middle to pause and recollect and sort what you have read, in some places it was very difficult to understand. Because of this, several chapters were very slow reads for me. The author also employs the use of many large, scientific words, and I found myself constantly running for my dictionary. Although this did present a problem in some cases, the book very educational and i feel all the wiser for my persevering through it. If you have the time and patience to go through it slowly, it is well worth the money.



5. The Nature of Horses is an excellent book to begin to understand your horse. This book takes a scientific approach to various aspects of horse physiology and psychology. The book is presented in an objective voice with scientific experiments to back up the content.

   Before one can begin to correct or train their horse, this book is a must. It is an excellent resource in the journey to understanding horses.

1 comments about Quarter Horses: A Story of Two Centuries.

1. A must have for those interested in history of the Quarter Horse. All of Denhard'ts books are excellent. I have and have read just about all of them. This book will never be outdated, and will always be relevant.

4 comments about 100 Ways to Improve your Riding: Common Faults and How to Cure Them.

1. This is a really great book! I rode around like a wild thing, bareback, as a kid, and now I've just bought my first horse in 25 years. I'm rusty, my body is less elastic, and memories have dimmed. This book puts it all together in an easy to understand way--some of it I recognize from childhood, things that I did right without knowing why. Some of it I remember being taught. But much of it is new to me--tons of info on using my weight and seat, and what my hands are really supposed to be for.
   
   The "100 Ways" format is excellent. Each way is presented on one page, or as a two-page spread before you, and at the bottom of the page is a bar with "Related Areas of Improvement" that lists three other "Ways" to check out that relate to your current page. With "100 Ways," I can skip topics that don't interest me right now (jumping) and leave them for later, without wading through chapters looking for what I need. The book is divided up into Seat and Weight, Hands and Arms, Head, Shoulders and Back, Legs, Non-communication, Schooling Techniques, and Mental Approach. I found the instructions to be clear most of the time.
   
   I have a hard time with visualizing descriptions of what to do with my body --this book doesn't confuse me overly, most of the pictures are helpful. With some, though, it's hard to tell if it's a picture of what you should be doing, or what you shouldn't. There's also a little too much of "have a trained eye watch and comment" for those of us without many well-trained eyes around. The author also recommends lunge line work without reins a bit too often for those of us without access to that kind of training. But the good outweighs the bad--the vast majority is perfectly clear, and the author's discussion of the uses of your weight, hands, etc. is worth the price of admission alone. I found plenty to work on all by myself, and became conviced that I should indeed seek out some help for other things.
   
   I can't say if this book is good for the young set, but if you are buying a horse after a long layoff, you can't go wrong with this book!



2. Excellent product. Very pleased! Thanks for the quick and easy delivery of my purchase.



3. i felt this book was able to point out 100 problems, but didn't really address how to fix them. most of the suggestions I've read in other references, not a single suggestion was new.



4. My riding instructors have recommended this book to me and to their other students. It is based on classical riding methods and includes a lot of pictures showing form, both good and bad.

5 comments about If I Had a Horse: How Different Life Would Be.

1. I purchased this book for my daughter - and avid horsewoman. We loved the video and the beautiful photography. The text and the quotes inside are an added bonus to this wonderful book.



2. Most likely the best book on horses I own. It is not a horsemanship guide on the "how to's" of owning a horse, but an insirational, moving, motivating book with exceptional photo's and beautiful written words describing why women have the dream of owning a horse and that it is ok do dream this dream especially as an adult.



3. Quote from the book:
   "One of the earliest religious disappointments in a young girl's life devolves upon her unanswered prayer for a horse" (Phyllis Theroux)
   
   Indeed.
   
   The author doesn't quite capture the essence of life long yearning to be with horses; to always dream of owning your own horse and to have that dream just out of your grasp. The above quote from the book comes close to those feelings - and overall the book comes close, but doesn't quite hit the mark.
   
   The title is a bit misleading, or perhaps my expectations got the better of me; the author already lives with horses, has horses of her own, and is in daily contact with horses. Thus, I couldn't quite make the bridge between "If I had a horse" and "how different life would be" within the pages of this book. The text and quotes are more zen like in approach and philosophy, rather than describing life-altering changes.
   
   Nevertheless, this is a BEAUTIFUL book. The text is honest, thoughtful, spiritual and philosophical. The photographs in this book are equally beautiful, and truly compliment the text superbly. The photographer has done a wonderful job capturing the essence, heart and soul of equus.
   
   This is a slim book, less than 1/2" thick, and only 128 pages, but printed in hardcover, and bound on heavy semi-gloss paper. Every single page features full-colour photographs of horses, with the author's insightful text and selection of quotes from various sources.
   
   My only complaint (and it perhaps is a minor one) is that the stars and inspirati of this book - the horses themselves - go unmentioned. The author goes to the trouble to name her sources for the various quotations used, in a bibliography at the back of the book, but there is no mention of who the horses are, their names, what breed, where they're from, etc.
   
   This book also came with a DVD titled "The Beauty of Horses", featuring a generous 21- minutes of live film footage of various horse breeds, from Arabians to Gypsy Vanners, Friesians, Appaloosa's and other horses. The music is a little annoying - but not overly so. How much better it would have been to let the horses speak for themselves in this DVD: the galloping of hooves, nostrils flaring and blowing, the clip-clop of hooves along a beach, horses neighing and snorting, tails swishing, etc. Instead the filmmaker opted to overdub with music and voiceover. This is perhaps a minor complaint, as the DVD production values are really well done, and the horses captured are beautiful to look at and inspiring.
   
   All in all, this is a wonderful addition to add to anyone's equine library, and I am sure horselover's young and old will enjoy looking at this book.
   
   ~appaloosa
   11/03/2006



4. If you know a horse crazy kid, buy them this book and they'll cherish it forever. The cover image is absolutely stunning, and just a taste of what is inside. Beautiful photography, moving writing and inspiring quotes. It's not for little kids, but a horse crazy girl about 9 or 10 will devour it just as much as that horse crazy 40 something. Even if you horses aren't a big part of your life, animal lovers will enjoy it just the same. The included DVD is just icing on the cake. When I was a horse obsessed 10 year old, I would cut pictures of horses out of magazines, newspapers, or anything I could get my hands on. This is the book I wish I had back then.



5. this is a wonderful book whether you own a horse or not. there are so many lessons to be learned, it was hard to do more than just read a page or a quote and then put it down and contemplate the lesson. horses have so much to teach us if we just allow it. this book opens up our minds to the possibilities of these lessons. beautifully written. carefully chosen quotes and wonderful photography. i find i refer to it often and it slows me down to remember what is really important to me.