No comments about Celebrity Jumping Exercises.

No comments about Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Horse Lover's Companion.

5 comments about Riding into Your Mythic Life: Transformational Adventures with the Horse.

1. This book was interesting . I just felt it got a little to unatached in the mythic life areas. Great to have some ideas for session time. This book took helping people to a different level. The sharing of the different tribes beliefs was fascinating. A lot of Mythology history shared from a new perspective.If you want a book grounded in reality for EAP work this is probably not what you are looking for, but if you are looking to make your EAP program more creative this book has that. The title is what this book is all about.



2. Horses are here defined as mythic creatures, and RIDING INTO YOUR MYTHIC LIFE comes from a therapeutic riding instructor who has developed her theories in over twenty years of working with horses and children with special needs, developing horse camps for teens and adults alike. RIDING INTO YOUR MYTHIC LIFE is for horse enthusiasts and therapists alike, and will appeal to any collection strong in new age theory or equestrian interests.



3. The author of Riding into Your Mythic Life, Patricia Broersma, is a therapeutic riding instructor who founded Saddle Light Center. She is also an instructor with the North American Riding for the Handicapped and president of the Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association. In her work, this author has seen the healing connection that can occur between horse and human being. It's truly a magical transformation, not unlike that of the hero and his allies in Joseph Campbell's Journey of the Hero.
   
   Riding into Your Mythic Life is an interesting work. The book is part philosophy, part self help, and part horse training guide. The author equates the bonding between a person and their horse in terms of a journey of self-knowledge. The resulting connection further serves to facilitate deep healing within both individuals.
   
   The text itself is filled with touching stories showing the potential of such equine-human relationships. Chapters are organized by topic with each subject building upon the knowledge attained in the previous section. Each of these sections includes practical exercises that serve as a guide to the reader's own hero's quest and the strengthening of the connection between them and their ally.



4. I've always felt a deep connection with horses, even during the times in my life when none lived with me. 'Riding into Your Mythic Life' takes its readers on a hero's journey to explore that connection. I love the blend of myth, science, poetry and personal stories. It seems that if you open your heart and let in the message that Broersma and the horses have to share, it could truly change your life. I keep this book on the kitchen table and read it with my morning coffee. I am finding that I go back to it and reread chapters after working with my horses.



5. I would recommend this new book by Patricia Broersma to anyone who has an appreciation for horses and a desire to befriend themselves at a deeper level.
   If, in addition, you happen to own or have access to a horse, this therapeudic riding instructor can lead you into a profoundly deep relationship, heightening your sensitivity to your horse and teaching you new ways to communicate and learn from each interaction. Reading this book, I felt I was being gently guided on an experiential journey through my own life, discovering it from a much larger perspective and learning how to appreciate the magic and wonder of it. With Broersma's guidance, I found it easy and very empowering to see the events of my life in the framework of a personal mythic journey, as the great adventure it is. What a gift!

2 comments about Horses Talking: How to Share Healing Messages with the Horses in Your Life.

1. Chapter 4: "Who is in the mirror?" is one of the most powerful I have read in ANY horse book. She writes: "The more we understand that horses mirror our thoughts, fears and self-doubts, problems and behaviour, the easier it is to work at letting go of all these issues. The incentive is a better rapport with our horse. The horse also mirrors our healing actions and good intent." If you are ready to look at yourself in the mirror and change, then this book is for you. If you can not take responsibility for you own actions and tend to blame the horse, you are not ready to look in the mirror. In healing yourself, your horse is healed with you and it will show in your relationship with your horse. Personally, I use Reiki in the healing, but you can use anything you want, or call it anything you want.



2. If you believe horses are sentient creatures this book is a must read. If you don't - reading it may change your life forever.

5 comments about The Ultimate English-Spanish Dictionary for Horsemen / El Primer Dictionario Para Equitadores Ingles / Espanol.

1. This book is the best I've seen and a must have for anyone in the horse industry. I just ordered a second copy for my son-in-law an equine veterinarian. It makes it easy to communicate with barn workers, trainers etc. who speak Spanish as their first language. An absolutely great tool that it easy to use and filled with vocabularly you can't find anywhere else. I think every college with an equine-related major or minor should have this book available in their bookstore.



2. I bought this book primarily to take with me to Argentina where I play polo. While this book was still useful, there are lots of words and phrases that are just different down here. For instance, nobody calls a polo mallet a "martillo de polo" (polo hammer), everyone calls them tacos. Calling it that seems just as odd to Argentines as "baseball mallet" would seem to Americans. A polo ball is not so much a "pelota de polo" as a "bocha." To play "stick and ball" is to "taquear" (an important verb not in the book). The polo field is almost always called a "cancha" not a "campo." A match is "un match," not usually "un juego." The word "montar," while understood, is never used, using "andar a caballo" pretty much exclusively. Some of the equipment and some of the words are also different down here. This may seem nitpicky, but Argentina is the most important polo country in the world and horses are probably more important in Argentina than in any other Spanish-speaking country.



3. This book is truly a "must have" if, like me, you live near the US/Mexican border and own horses. Actually, this is the THIRD copy of this book I've purchased because when I've loaned these books to people, I never see them again.



4. I searched high and low for an industry specific English/Spanish dictionary...this book is a show stopper. Organized into topical chapters (shoeing the horse, feeds, feed supplements, racing, polo, etc), the words are organized alphabetically within each section. It is comprehensive and easy to navigate. It is the gold standard for English/Spanish dictionaries. Everyone on my team owns one!



5. I love this book. I did a whole report in spanish about horses and at first i couldnt find any translations for the different horsemen terms until I found this book. I would highly recommend this book to anyone. Very useful.

3 comments about Trick Training Your Horse to Success.

1. For example, one of the tools she recommends is the halter with chain over the nose for more "persuasive" effect. Unless you know already how to use this halter, don't start here. This type of halter can seriously hurt a horse unless used properly.



2. Jan's book is the best book I've read on the subject of trick training for horses. I own other trick training books (and videos) and if you own Jan's book, you can pitch the others. She explains each concept simply and includes training "keys" and "tips" that are absolutes! She also includes some notes of caution - things that you need to watch out for. Learning from her experience makes trick training fun and easy! I highly recommend this book!



3. This is an excellent book for anyone--not just someone who wants to train their horse to do tricks. It builds a better partnership and teaches the horse to be more responsive. Jan's explanations are clear--things that anyone can follow at home. The proof of her methods of training are in the horses she shows & the rave reviews of people who buy her foals. Her stallion, TS Black Tie Affair, has won world championships in many events and competes in everything from halter to dressage to speed classes! He's always good tempered and has excellent manners. And he loves to demonstrate his tricks!!! For those of you who are spotted horse fans, you'll love the illustrations in this book--they're all Pintos!

2 comments about Intermediate English Exercises (Arena Pocket Guides).

1. This book makes a nice gift for horse lovers but is a bit small for the price. It could be a few more pages for the price or lower the price by a few dollars. My daughter really liked the book so all-in-all it's not a bad deal. I bought the other 2 books in the English Exercises series and my daughter also enjoyed them as well.



2. This arena pocket guide is an excellent riding instruction tool. In concise language Cherry Hill gives easy-to-follow exercises for the intermediate rider. The goals of these exercises are to 1) improve the rider's balance and use of the aids; 2) increase suppleness in the horse through bending; 3) improve transitions 4) develop lateral work 5) and begin collection. The book, made of sturdy cardstock, is just the right sized to stick in a back pocket, so you never have to leave the barn without it. Each exercise is covered in one to two pages and comes with clear illustrations. Ms. Hill includes a total of ten exercises in her book and closes with an intermediate riding test. This book is a must have for the rider who cannot afford weekly riding lessons or who needs help working on fundamental intermediate riding skills. Highly recommended.

   Monika Antonelli

1 comments about Hoof Problems: Hoof Construction, Trimming and Shoeing, Solutions for Common Issues and Ailments.

1. I found this book to be very informative with good detail. It was good enough I could over look the few plugs for the authors' products.

5 comments about Dressage with Kyra: The Kyra Kyrklund Training Method.

1. This book by Kyra and Jytte Lemkow (International Dressage Judge, journalist and photographer) is one of the more impressive contemporary books on Classical riding, and one from which the reader will definitely benefit. Worth every penny of its price.
   The last chapter alone, on "mental training", preparing yourself psychologically to go into the ring and compete, will improve your scores.
   Kyra has a clear and simple riding system, but she stresses that every horse is an individual, and you have to adapt training protocols to fit the unique personalities and body types. She talks about a respectful partnership, and how the horse must work with joy and not anxiety, and of the dangers of "desensitizing" the horse with too many demands or signals at the same time. The overriding message of this book is to keep the horse's front end free so he can find his own balance without a "blocking hand" as he is developing, and not to force the horse to work in a fixed frame too soon.
   This book also has concise step-by-step diagrams of exercises for training the horse in canter, counter canter, change of leg, half pass, zigzag, etc., and also valuable exercises to check if the horse is reacting correctly to the rider's aids.
   I found it amazing to see in the photos that Kyra's horse will perform a piaffe in hand by being stroked gently on the neck with the whip. Also apparent in the photos is the connection and trust between Kyra and her horses that can only be achieved by sensitivity and kindness.



2. after reading this book from the Library and being only one copy it was wonderfull to purchase one for myself at such a reasonable cost, it is a great book and I only wish that I had of purchased it several years ago, now I have it to read and re-read when ever I feel the need to train my horse.
   
   Kim



3. This must be the best ever dressage training book I have read and used. It is written in a manner that it is not at all boring. The exercises are easy to follow and put into practice. I have tried them on my young horse and they worked exceptionally well. This book is for all horses/riders and can be used at the level you are at. I am now a veteran rider and successful teacher and competitor - there's always something to learn!



4. I have read 'Dressur Med Kyra' (in both Danish and Swedish). I doubt this translation will improve upon it. Clearly - I have been told -- Kyra is an excellent instructor. This book (written together with a colleague of Kyra) is more of a showcase thing. I'd stick with Podhasky, la Guérinière, or Müseler (if you can get a hold of a copy). Most dressage and horsemanship (some arguably so) books at ... are getting the 4-5 star treatment. Every book has its fans. This rating, though, would be very misleading regarding Kyras book.



5. Initially, I purchased this book and was very unhappy with the choice of pictures. I think many of the horses look like they are fighting. BUT, I saw Kyra in person and she was excellent; very soft and gentle handling of the horses. No yanking or cranking. She insisted on more relaxed necks. So, I decided to give the book another chance and I am glad I did. Kyra gives really excellent descriptions and techniques that you can use right away.

5 comments about A Gymnastic Riding System Using Mind, Body, and Spirit: Progressive Training for Rider and Horse.

1. This book does a great job of going through the development of rider and horse from the beginning. It teaches you all of the elements you need to be able to have a real relationship with your horse that is based on trust.



2. Definitely a "must have" for all those interested in dressage as a sport and for other diciplines wishing to improve their horses. Gives a well-rounded approach to riding including being responsible as riders to be sympathetic and diciplined.
   I especially liked the chapter about the horse's willingness and how to improve that. I give Betsy Steiner a lot of credit for making dressage theory clear and practical while speaking to those with years of experience. Great pictures and summary tables to clarify the rather detailed training maps. After many half-read dressage books that seem repetitive this one will be one I can use in real life as I train on my own at the moment.
   I look forward to more of Betsy's work.



3. Glad I picked the book from the line up. Well written guide on approaches to improve one's riding. Excellent publication, highly recommended.



4. This is an excellent book with a approach that is easly to follow. I've read many books about the pyrimid approach, but this book really made sence of it. The outlined format is what I like. It's concise and to the point! I copied the pyrimid and posted in the tack room as a quick reference.



5. I've read Riding Success Without stress, Centered Riding, & Natural Riding & really didn't find them worth the purchase price because I had done kickboxing, ballet, stretching, & yoga before I ever got on a horse, so I already knew how to use my center muscles. Not that I don't have more to learn. But what I need is in this book. It's complete.
   In case you need to know- in the title- 'spirit' = 'emotions'