1 comments about Only Horse People: A Look at the Sport for the Deranged!.

1. I found and bought this book for my mother's birthday since we both own horses. The "only horse people" ism's are so true and the illustrations add to the humor perfectly. With this book only costing slightly more than a card you will want to send it to all your horsey friends.

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

5 comments about Mental Training for Peak Performance: Top Athletes Reveal the Mind Exercises They Use to Excel.

1. I found this book very interesting, because I do mental coaching for athletes and non-athletes. Ungerleider has written a very credible account of what it means to be an athlete under various kinds of pressures. The book is educational and entertaining as Ungerleider mentions several scientific studies and reveals the exercises used by many well-known athletes. Yet I think that someone with a restless mind might need more practical step-by-step advice on how to improve his/her concentration and stress management abilities.
   But I can easily recommend this to any athlete and others who are interested in managing their mind.



2. I read this book several years ago, and I think I received it as an incentive for continuing my subscription with Runner's World magazine. Although I've tried, I'm not sure the information in this book has helped my amateur performances. While the information in Mental Training is helpful, I think it lends itself more to the demands of professional athletic success. And though I continue to experiment with viusalization techniques (in all aspects of life), my practical expectations are now a bit more realistic.



3. I have read this book and others with the similar perspective. It's a quite applied volumen, but I prefer other with a theoretical+practical perspective... I have used it with my students, but I have needed other books...



4. A well researched and written book with some very sound advice. It covers relaxation, imaging and visualisation with practical examples of how to go about the processes. It also explains the relevance and the benefits an athlete can derive from using these techniques.



5. This book is a gold mine of information about the awesome power of visualization.

   It's filled with practical information and theories, with lots of PROOFS to scientifically validate the theories contained within. Highly Recommended.

   Zev Saftlas, Author of Motivation That Works: How to Get Motivated and Stay Motivated

5 comments about Anne Kursinski's Riding and Jumping Clinic: A Step-by-Step Course for Winning in the Hunter and Jumper Rings.

1. I bought this book at the same time as "Hunter Seat Equitation" by George Morris. I much prefered Morris' style of presenting information and have been able to incorporate pieces of it much faster. Kursinski's approach to this book, essentially telling the reader to tell his or her instructor what to do, did not work well with me. Try telling a "lead mare" what to do in her own barn! From personal experience telling your trainer that a book determined your training program is not a bright thing to do. Maybe a self-taught rider would have more luck with this book than a person in riding lessons.



2. Anne Kursinski has been my hero since her 1988 Silver Medal win on "Starman" during the Olympics. She has a beautiful style and presence to her riding. I purchased this book on Amazon and have thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It's very easy to understand for the beginner rider on up! I recommend this book to all of my riding students. A must have for sure! I'll even read it again!



3. This book exceeded my expectations. As an intermediate rider, the combination of multiple illustrations and accompaning technical commentary is instrumental. This book covers basic flat work and jumping and makes the "upward transition" to advanced work. Anne Kursinski's written style uses common sense and visual imagery. After reading each chapter, I couldn't wait to try out her techniques on my horse.

   If you want to become more connected with your horse through feel and athletic ability, this book will work for you.

   Anne teaches you to communicate with your horse physically and emotionally. A combination that is essential but understated.




4. This book is a great resource for any serious rider who wants to improve their skills. I was able to not only use Anne's theories in my own riding but also apply them to my students. She explains everything in a very straight forward manner with lots of illustrations for the many exercises she gives. Since I live in an area where the closest jumper trainer is almost 2 hours away, this was a great way to get new ideas to tackle problems and master the basics. Highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to better themselves as a rider.



5. This book was excellent! It's perfect for anyone riding english weather you haven't even taken a lesson or you've been riding for 10 years! It's very in depth and will help you perfect your riding. It teachs the basics to advanced dressage and jumping. It includes great pictures and explains everything very well, and anyone can understand it. I HIGHLY reccomend it!

4 comments about Dressage: The Art of Classical Riding.

1. This book has beautiful color pics in it..and the information is from the past to the present..This is a very special book..B.W.



2. Dressage, isn't that just a bunch of horses being ridden around in circles? How could a book about it possibly be interesting, especially if you don't ride that way? If that is what you think, read on... Sylvia Loch has written a masterpiece in a style that does far more then just talk about "Dressage". Her book has topics of interest for virtually every dicipline, from western to jumpers. Sylvia has put together more history, more people, and more horse breeds then it would seem to be possible. She has artfully presented it in a way that makes it resonate to virtually everyone by showing how they are all connected through history. Better still, she has done it in a way that is fascinating and contemporary to read. I found her style eloquent and conclusions insightful. Reading this book will contribute to any riders understanding about where the modern horse has evolved from, and more importantly, how current teaching methods relate to historic methods. By reading the title of the book I might have put it last on my list, after reading it, I have put it FIRST!



3. This book is truly a work of art, not to mention dedication in its fine summary of the history of dressage from early Greek history on to modern times. The knowledge I gained from this book is immeasurable. It has improved my riding, my understanding of dressage, my appreciation of this fine art of horsemanship, and most of all the incredible athletic ability, generous nature, and humbleness of our equine partners.



4. As the nature of horseback riding has changed from the original, practical purposes to being a recreation and past-time, riding styles have changed from what is best for horse, to what is most expedient for the casual rider who wants to "enjoy" horses. An example of this phenonema from US-style western riding is the "sliding stop". When a horse is very responsive, it should be possible to stop quickly in order to change direction, and sometimes the horse is going so fast he slides to a stop. Unfortunately, "responsiveness" is difficult to judge, and sliding is dramatic, so an original practical ideal of being able to change a horse's direction has turned into a contest to see how far a horse can drag itself by the front hooves while letting the back hooves drag on the ground. A similar corruption of purpose and technique has played itself out in almost every riding discipline as those activies have become more removed from any practical purpose.

   This is one of the only books that attempts to place riding in its proper context in history. Its points are illustrated with many rare color and black & white prints of historical paintings and photographs that are invaluable in learning how to ride. The major riding masters of history and what they discovered are all presented in a way that makes one want to learn more. Anyone wishing to increase their understanding of riding past past what is currently fashionable should own this book.

5 comments about Robin: The Lovable Morgan Horse (Morgan Horse Series) (The Morgan Horse Series).

1. Reviewed by Kim and Sean Peterson for Reader Views (5/06)
   
   Karen Greene gives in to peer pressure. Wanting to be accepted, she agrees to ride a horse that demands more skill than she possesses. When she and the other teens ride the trail, Karen struggles to control the uncooperative horse, Comet. Her poor choice and the sudden appearance of a dirt bike on the trail place horse and rider in danger. When the frightened horse bolts, Karen and Comet suffer injuries in a traumatic accident on the nearby road. Although her body recovers, nightmares and lack of confidence plague her. Karen fears riding her own gentler Morgan horse, Robin.
   
   Karen's parents decide to move Robin to a different training facility, Gallant Morgans, with the hope that their daughter will find a way to overcome her fear of riding horses. The less intimidating atmosphere exposes the teen to new friends, including Heather Richardson who helps the owner Chauncy train horses for show and for the trail.
   
   As the humans, horses and other animals at Gallant Morgans help her overcome the apprehension about riding, they also encourage the redeveloping bond between Karen and Robin. The mare doesn't take advantage of Karen's trepidation, but is the essence of patience as her young owner strives to re-master the skills that have seemingly abandoned her.
   
   As volunteer horse caretakers at a local therapeutic riding facility, we feel that Feld accurately portrays both the responsibilities of caring for a horse, as well as the special bond developed through time spent together. Girls (and guys) who long for the full equine experience will savor this fourth story in the Morgan Horse series.



2. All I can say is, I wish I were a teenage girl again, because this series would have been on my bookshelf right up there with the Black Stallion series, the "Flicka" series, Marguerite Henry, and all the other horse books that were close to my heart. I recommend starting with "Blackjack" and reading the series through in order, as you can see the characters, both human and equine, grow and learn, and new characters add a new dimension, just as they do in real life. The best part is, as I can testify as an owner of 5 Morgans, the equine episodes in the books are realistic. Morgans really ARE like the horses in the books. And as a mother of 3 teenage girls in the past, I can also testify that the girls in the books are very much like the adolescent girls that filled my house all those years ago. Even though I am WELL beyond my teenage years, I can't wait for the next book in the series - I hope it is as exciting and uplifting as "Robin". Knowing this series, I am sure it will be!



3. Once again Ellen is right on the mark when it comes to a believable story with the delicious overtones of whimsy and fantasy that horses conjure up in all of us. All of Ellen's books are worthy additions to any library of children's classics, and are a recommended read for all ages and genders. We await more additions to the trusty list!



4. Ellen Feld zooms me back to my childhood and memories of riding with my friends. Yep, we did some crazy things with our horses...and so many times it was a result of peer pressure. Our horses, like the Morgan horse Robin, seemed to know better and were there to help teach us so many valuable lessons. Ellen's story takes hold of this reality and addresses it with a mature hand and detail that floods the senses with the smell of horses and leather, the sounds of hoofbeats and laughter, the sight of green grass and wonderful Morgan horseflesh, the feel of the reins and a freshly-curried coat, and the sheer bliss of spending time with horses and friends. I have to wait (somewhat impatiently) while my son finishes each new book that Ellen writes!



5. This is a great book for horse crazy people, children and adults. Well written. Ellen keeps getting better and better, her Morgan horse books are something any teenage girl would want, and adult horse lovers too. Highly recommended. All three books in this series are EXCELLENT!!

5 comments about Cloud: Wild Stallion of the Rockies.

1. A great book, it has even more information than the movie does about Cloud and his family. A must for Cloud fans and horse lovers.



2. This is a marvelous book and companion to the video which deals with wild horses in the Rockies. The photography is superb and the author's style is easy reading while capturing the beauty of the wild horse. I highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in horses, both domestic and wild.



3. The book is wonderful. Beautifully written and photographed. However, people should know that Cloud's herd of wild horses is in great danger of being rounded up and permanently removed from the Pryor Mountains in Montana which has been cleared of all other herds of Mustangs. The Bureau of Land Management has caved in to cattle and sheep ranchers who want all wild horses removed from the range, including Public Lands and areas such as the Pryor Mountains where cattle are not grazed.



4. The heck with being a book for teen girls ----- it is a book for all horse lovers and non horse lovers alike! Beautiful photos and a GREAT TRUE Story! It is WONDERFUL!



5. Cloud: Wild Stallion of the Rockies is an interesting book, with vivid photographs of mustangs. I received it as a gift back when I was still obsessed with horses, and could not get enough of it. Even now that I only slightly like horses anymore, I find this book very enjoyable.
   
   Interspersed with moving photography, this is Ginger Kathrens' story of a wild stallion called Cloud. She followed his herd before he was born, and followed him all over afterwards. A simple but well-written documentary that, I can only imagine, rivals the show produced on Nature's television series, this is a must for any young horse-lover, or even an older one.
   
   I highly recommend this book. The pictures are full-color and the story is superb; you will be getting your money's worth with this book. Long live Cloud!

1 comments about Legends 2: Outstanding Quarter Horse Stallions and Mares.

1. This book had me glued. I own a foundation bred stallion and did not know his dam's bloodlines. With each Legends book I read, I learn more of why my stud is the way he is! I have also learned how important research is in breeding quality animals and how they did it then and how it has effected now! An excellent series of books for anyone interested in their horses ancestry.

5 comments about Reflections on Equestrian Art.

1. This short book don't give much explanation on how to give the right aids or how to train your horse. But it is quite easy read and might wake up your desire to learn more. As inspiration boook rather than school book I think it is good.



2. Should be required reading for all modern-day dressage riders and anyone who truly believes in achieving harmony with his or her horse! Not a specific "how to" book, but rather the core of the master Oliveira's philosophy of classical horsemanship succinctly and powerfully stated. His was a school of horsemanship that expected and achieved a level of lightness and collection rarely attained in today's competitive dressage horse. As Sylvia Loch said in her book (also highly recommended) Dressage: The Art of Classical Riding, Nuno Oliveira was " . . .a man who could bring magical steps out of the most ordinary horse, a man who rode like a king, so that his horses carried him like a king."



3. This book is written by probably the greatest horse master in the 20th century. A book that every horse lover, and especially dressage rider, must have. It is a pity that only one (I believe) of six books is translated into English.



4. THIS IS THE DISTILLED WISDOM OF THE GREATEST HORSEMAN OF THIS CENTURY. IT IS A WONDERFUL COMPANION



5. toute la collection nuno oliveira est a nouveau di sponible en francais et en allemand.(8 titres dont 2 inedits)coedites par les heritiers de nuno olive ira.

5 comments about Ultimate Horse Revised.

1. This is an excellent book for people new to horses, or for those who want to learn a bit more about the different breeds from around the world without getting too much into the minutia. An excellent overview.
   
   While some of the information on genetics and coloring may be outdated as some reviews point out, for most casual horse fans and readers this shouldn't be a turnoff. For those "breeds" he includes like Palomino that are actually based on color, he clearly states that these are not technically breeds. If you are serious about learning about horse genetics and coloring I would suggest buying a book that spends more than 2 pages discussing the topic.
   
   The pictures are excellent and clearly show the different horse breeds. the notes are directly aligned to the conformation details for each breed addressed along with a brief history. I also liked that he gave brief coverage to horse temperment for most every breed. Something not often found in other books I have seen. Each breed gets 2 full-color pages. Does it cover every breed on the planet? No. But it does cover over 90 which again should be more than enough for the general horse loving populace.



2. Covers breeds, history and origins, care, grooming, english equitation and disciplines.
   
   I loved this book when it came out, and have held on to it for many years. Initially, this book was very well received among horselovers everywhere. At the time there was nothing else like it: absolutely gorgeous full-colour, two-page spread photographs of some of the world's best known breeds, along with brief chapters on history and origin of the horse, and its relationship with humans, and various disciplines.
   
   However, the book is somewhat generic in facts, and the text is mostly complimentary to the photos, with a definate english (British) slant (referring to the Paint breed as "pinto"). There is very little information given on western disciplines (ranching, roping, reining, western riding, western trail, etc), and the information given on colour genetics is questionable to say the least (a much better and more accuate book on this subject would be Sponenberg's "Equine Color Genetics").
   
   In fact, much of the information given in this book is probably outdated. Still, if you are a horselover, or equine artist, you will enjoy breezing through this book, and the photographs can be very useful for study and research, or enjoyment.



3. I first owned a copy of this book when it was published in 1991; the photographs are exquisitely vivid and colorful. The history of the various breeds are well-covered, but it is unfortunate that the information on coat colors and patterns is so basic (and, in some respects, obsolete). The description of the more common colors and markings are adequate and reliable for anyone just starting out on accurate color identification. Most horse books go into great detail on the history of breeds and types, but many leave readers in the dark regarding colors. Fortunately, for the serious student of horse colors, there are modern texts devoted to the subject of color genetics, which is the best way to learn how many colors and patterns occur in horses. This book is suitable for learning about the history of the horse, the various breeds and types, and is well worth it for the photographs alone.



4. This book is a fairly good introductory reference to horses, suited for younger riders and horse enthusiasts just entering the horse world. It is well written and easy to understand. The first section of the book is entitled "The Essential Horse," and covers its evolution, domestication, the basics of conformation (including several very nice diagrams), the gaits (with nice photographic sequences of the walk, trot, canter, and gallop), the coat colors, the horse's senses, and behavior and communication. Most of this information is good, but the reader should disregard almost everything the author says about color genetics, as the majority of the information here is vastly outdated and has since been proven false (the book was published in 1991, so this is not surprising). A better reference to horse color would be Phillip Sponenberg's "Equine Color Genetics," though that text is not aimed at younger readers.

   The bulk of the book is devoted to profiles on several different breeds of horse. Only a small sampling of breeds are included, but most of the major, most popular ones are covered. Each profile page includes information on the history of the breed, its influence on other breeds, its use, conformation, temperatment, and any other interesting facts. Most of the basic information is good, though there are occasional errors. There is a large, bull-body profile picture of each breed, often a headshot, and sometimes a few other photos or drawings. The breeds included are (in order):

   Arabian, Barb, Andalusian, Thoroughbred, Anglo-Arab, Shagya Arabian, Lusitano, Akhal-Teke, Lipizzaner, Budonny, Kabardin, Don, Morgan, Quarter Horse, Hackney, French Trotter, Orlov Trotter, Standardbred, Friesian, American Saddlebred, Missouri Fox Trotter, Tennessee Walking Horse, Peruvian Paso, Mustang, Irish Draft, Norman Cob, Cleveland Bay, Gelderlander, Dutch Warmblood, Fredericksborg, Selle Francais, Danish Warmblood, Trakehner, Hanoverian, Holsteiner, Maremmana, Murgese, Oldenburg, Camargue, Rocky Mountain Horse, Furioso, Nonius, Knabstrupper, Pinto*, Palomino*, Australian Stock Horse, Appaloosa, Bashkir Curly, Landais, Ariegeois, Haflinger, Italian Heavy Draft, Norwegian Fjord, Icelandic Horse, Caspian, Falabella, Exmoor Pony, Dartmoor Pony, Welsh Mountain Pony, Welsh Pony, Welsh Cob, Dales Pony, Fell Pony, Highland Pony, Shetland Pony, Connemara, New Forest Pony, American Shetland, Shire, Suffolk, Clydesdale, Percheron, Ardennais, Breton, Jutland, Boulonnais, and Belgian.

   * = the Pinto and Palomino, while presented in this book as breeds, are NOT actually breeds, but just colors. There are registries for these colors, but they accept horses of any breed, and are not actually breed registries.

   There are also pages detailing the different "types" of horse (regardless of breed), suited for different tasks and disciplines: the hunter, the polo pony, the hack / riding horse, the cob, and the riding pony.

   The third section is entitled "You and Your Horse" and covers the various aspects of horse ownership and care. Topics include how to buy a horse, stable maintenance, equipment for riding and care, riding clothes, grooming, shoeing, feeding, health care, pregnancy and birth, and foal development. This information is very basic, and you should of course consult experts before buying your first horse - other horse owners, veterinarians, farriers, etc. The clothing styles represented are a little outdated, as fashion in the horse world changes just as it does elsewhere, so it's best to talk to other riders and tack store employees if you are unsure.

   The final section of the book, "The Horse and Man," discusses the various uses of the horse for both work and sport. It begins with the history of the horse as a labor animal, including the horse in war, as transportation, as a construction implement, and as an agricultural tool. It then goes into the different sporting disciplines: driving, classical equitation, western riding, hunting, dressage, show jumping, eventing, racing (including flat racing, steeplechase, and harness racing), polo, endurance riding, and sidesaddle. At the end of the book there is a glossary of key terms. Though this book isn't perfect, it's a good place to start. The topics covered are comprehensive, and the photography is good. Overall, a nice place for younger horse lovers to begin learning about their favorite animal.




5. I really loved the photography of this book- each horse is photographed against a white background so you don't miss any detail. I wish there was more information about the temperament of each horse- it is listed for some, and not for others. Overall a great read. I was not looking for a lot of text about the history of the horse, etc. so this was the book for me. This book provides a wonderful tour of horse breeds from all around the world!