5 comments about Horse Stable and Riding Arena Design.

1. This was my first choice when I started searching for books on horse stable design, I must say that it took me some months before I made the investment and bought the book. I was a bit disappointed when I finally received it, but then again maybe I was looking for an easy way out by looking for straight forward answers to my indecisions. The book is a scientific look into stable and arena design (facts with little emotion), everything is laid down before you all the possibilities but there is no suggestion on what might be a wiser solution. The arena design could be more extensive we all know that it needs a subbase, base and footing ... but what can help in getting it right...
   
   Maybe I expected too much
   
   This book's biggest set back is the price (for me anyway)



2. Growing up on a farm, I knew some of the information contained in this book. However, it did a great job of explaining why things are done to make a barn both practical and successful. My family and I had many ideas of how we were to design our barn, but reading this book has allowed us to avoid several of what we now recognize as design pitfalls. With good explanations of each aspect of equine facilities (i.e. necessary facilities, additional facilities, designing techniques, etc.) and great pictorial content, my family and I were able to choose the designs which were perfect for us and our farm.
   
   The only complaint I have about this book is that it disagreed with my original plans... and I was so hurt that someone found a flaw within my perfect self.
   
   A job well done.



3. This book should be ones first purchase. If it does not satisfy all questions then buy another book -but I doubt it will be necessary. I bought all the less expensive books first and wasted my money and valuable time....reading them. I eventually found this book...I wish I had bought ONLY this book. It is fantastic for architects, contractors and simpler folks wanting to design their own structure...anyone considering re-building or starting from scratch will find this is the book that will have saved you thousands of dollars and heartache and then some. No kidding, I second the opinion it is worth every penny. I bought a second copy as a gift for a friend.....I didn't dare loose my copy and besides the author really did deserve every penny for every copy sold on this lovely, lovely book.



4. I really hesitated before I bought this book. I thought "how good could this POSSIBLY be for $150.00." All of my doubts were erased once I opened the cover. I am planning to build a large indoor arena with stable. Every single one of my questions were answered thoroughly and clearly in this book. Beyond that hundreds of details I had never even considered were brought to light in Eileen Wheelers book.
   
   The detail of construction was extensive and comprehensive. This book is defenitely the Bible of stable and Arena Design!!!



5. This book is worth every penny. Anyone wanting to build a great barn or arena should consider this book...especially appreciated the formulas and suggestions for figuring needs for heat, arena floor materials, lighting, etc. The author seemed to think of everything!

4 comments about Western Horsemanship: The Complete Guide to Riding the Western Horse.

1. This was my first Western Horsemanship book. It is full of useful information on riding instruction Western style. Loads of pictures, and it's written as if Richard is talking to you. I liked reading this book, Richard didn't jam your head full of points all at once, instead it was easy to remember his points when I went out riding. GOOD book.



2. This book has been a complete reference for rider/trainer. Inexpereinced riders benefit from the detail, trainers can utilize to augment the lesson program. Pages are littered with wonderful photos of do and don'ts. A must have, must read, again and again.



3. There are a lot of so-called horse trainers and "horse whisperers" out there today. Some are good and some are phony but Richard Shrake is as real as they come. This book helps the beginner as well as the most experienced competitive riders. There's nothing phony about his methods and they're things that anyone can do. The book is well written with lots of photographs of the actual methods he's talking about. It's an absolutely wonderful book, and so are his videos!



4. For any rider who wants to improve their skills, this book is a must. All of the fine details; from leg placement and hand positioning to choosing and caring for the right equipment, are covered in an easy to read format. The photos are excellent examples of what Richard Shrake is explaining. If you are showing your horse or riding for pleasure, there is much to learn from this book.

1 comments about The Equine Distal Limb: An Atlas of Clinical Anatomy and Comparative Imaging.

1. for all those with an interest in the anatomy of horse limbs and hooves, i highly recommend this book. it is detailed, clear and well illustrated. One of a kind, have never seen another publication that matches this one. congratulations to jean-marie denoix.

No comments about The Complete Guide to Hunter Seat Riding: Training, Showing, Judging on the Flat & Over Fences.

1 comments about Ranch Style: The Artistic Culture and Design of the Real West.

1. I thought the book was beautiful. But I was looking for a book on decorating my home the ranch style look. So although the pictures were great if I was looking for that kind of thing. It was not exactly the book I needed. Wonderful pictures!!

4 comments about John Lyons' Troubleshooting.

1. This is a great book with lots of pictures (very helpful for the more visually orientated) and in full color. Has been very helpful in training my mares :o)



2. This book is very helpful to me in traing myself and my horses. The method presented in this book is very easy to follow. I recomend it to thos looking for help or a method of training.



3. I recently purchased a new mare. We had 2 really good rides and the 3rd was a disaster! The mare began bucking violently, without warning, and I was thrown to the ground. I purchased this book because the cover listed "bucking" as a problem area addressed in the book. I receieved the book and cannot find one thing about bucking. To say the least, I was very disappointed!!!



4. A very good book and helpful, but the front is misleading, there is only one tiny mention of bucking help, which is not enough.

1 comments about 101 Hunter/Jumper Tips: Essentials for Riding on the Flat and over Fences (101 Tips).

1. This is a great little book. Any easy read with real world tips you can use immediately and see results.

3 comments about Winning at Halter.

1. This book was bought as a gift for my daughter who will be starting a young horse in halter this year. She is delighted with the book. She says it is informational and easy to understand.
   
   She is excited to try the techniques in the book when Spring arrives and she can work with her horse.
   
   Winning at Halter



2. This book goes into extreme detail requiring extreme investment in preparing horses for halter classes. While the advice is very good and you can see what lengths some are willing to go to, it goes far beyond most people's capacity. As a Foundation Quarter Horse owner and breeder, I will take a lot of the advice to heart, but there's a lot that, for my type of showing, is way over the top.



3. This was a really good book, covering many basics in the conditioning, feeding and grooming of halter horses. It was clear, concise, and easy for most levels to understand. I would not say it is for someone brand new to horses or showing though. There were tips on handling and showing stallions as well as an explanation of why acupuncture is used on halter horses. I would have like to have seen more info on actually being in the show pen, little tips and secrets that can be helpful when showing.

5 comments about The Handbook of Riding Essentials.

1. This book is really a nice reference. It addresses many things that are usually not said in a riding book in a manner that is easy to understand. I think it would be good for a beginner and for advanced riders that should brush up on some basics. I know we can all use a refresher from time to time.
   
   His drawings are great.



2. "The Handbook of Riding Essentials" is a wonderful resource for all riders of all disciplines. Written and diagramed in a clear and concise format, the author covers the correct use of the hands, seat and legs and then progresses to each individual movement. The diagrams are very clear and depict the use of the natural aids for each movement. All aspects of each movement are clearly covered and very helpful. For example, in the chapter entitled: "The Natural Aids for the Haunches-In" he expertly covers; Goals of the Exercise; Rider's Aids; Why Does the Rider Use the Natural Aids; How Does the Rider Initiate Haunches-In; How Does the Rider Teach Haunches-In; Mistakes to Avoid and Helpful suggestions. As a rider this book has helped me to better understand, teach my horse and execute each movement. This is a reference book for all levels of all riders and should be in every riders' library.



3. "The Handbook of Riding Essentials" is a wonderful resource for all riders of all disciplines. Written and diagramed in a clear and concise format, the author covers the correct use of the hands, seat and legs and then progresses to each individual movement. The diagrams are very clear and depict the use of the natural aids for each movement. All aspects of each movement are clearly covered and very helpful. For example, in the chapter entitled: "The Natural Aids for the Haunches-In" he expertly covers; Goals of the Exercise; Rider's Aids; Why Does the Rider Use the Natural Aids; How Does the Rider Initiate Haunches-In; How Does the Rider Teach Haunches-In; Mistakes to Avoid and Helpful suggestions. As a rider this book has helped me to better understand, teach my horse and execute each movement. This is a reference book for all levels of all riders and should be in every riders' library.



4. I'm having a hard time finding a book to supplement riding lessons, and this just wasn't it for me. I found the diagrams somewhat difficult to understand; if anything, they seem to make the actions they're trying to explain more complicated than they are.

   Example: "Right hand: Active, rotates at the wrist, fingernails facing up; acts slightly to the left in front of the withers. Left hand: Passive, goes forward and down to yield, to allow, and then to regulate the action of the right hand" - it goes on like this to describe what the rider's right leg is supposed to do, and the left, and the seat, then gives the horse response broken down by nose, head, neck, shoulders, and haunches.

   All this is to describe the "Indirect Rein of Opposition in Front of the Withers". There are no photos, just stick diagrams w/lots of arrows and dotted lines. I'd recommend looking at this book in a bookstore or library before purchasing it.




5. This book is written so the beginner can understand it. Has beautiful illustrations on seat,leg, and hand positions. It also tells you what your horse should be doing after you apply the aids. Very helpful book.

5 comments about The Athletic Development of the Dressage Horse: Manege Patterns (Howell Reference Books).

1. With all the books on dressage out nowadays, this is one that emphasizes developing the horse with daily exercises that he explains and then shows in lots of photos. The instruction is good and really helpful to a dressage rider.



2. The message is all there in this book but finding it is a treasure hunt. There is some excellent advice, excellent exercises, and great information on how to progress. In order to put it together logically, I needed to create my own index and map to the information.



3. At the risk of repeating what everyone says about every book that they like, you must be this book and digest it thoroughly if you are at all serious about dressage. I have nearly every training manual that has been published about dressage, but this book deals more with the theory of gymnastic training of the horse that is so vital if we are to understand why we do all the things that we do. It will also save you many hours of frustration and anguish as you are trying to perfect movements. I would write a proper epistle about more of the merits of this great book (get 'The Ethics and Passions of Dressage', too) but to tell you the truth, I'd just as soon get back to Chapter 10 right now!



4. very disappointing book. The writing is poor, the book is disorganized, and consists primarily of repetitive statements about the author's philosophy on dressage. I wasn't able to read more than half the book before giving up in disgust.



5. of great usefulness for riders of any level and discipline. The author discusses manege patterns that help achieving correct athletic development of your horse and help remedie faults such as crookedness. Too often, riders resort to use of equipment, such as draw reins, to control their horse. After reading this book, these people will realize that that is completely unneccessary and, moreover, is inhumane and has adverse effects. This book is more to the point than some of the other books by the same author.