5 comments about Enlightened Equitation: Riding in True Harmony With Your Horse.

1. This text was practical, informative and easy to understand and therefore apply. This book is a vital tool to improving riding while also saving the need to spend many dollars on private riding instruction. The harmony between myself as an adult learner rider on a rather green horse have improved immensly as I adopt the recommendations in the book and advance my horsemanship knowledge and skills.



2. This seller will have my $ again if they say they have the product. Fast service and clean book. Arrived as described!



3. When I was first learning to ride I found this book totally inspirational. Here was someone, finally, who could explain what you were meant to do to stay securely in the saddle. Heather discusses the common but totally unhelpful advice given by instructors to novices such as; 'sit deep' or 'lean back' . For the bemused novice it is such a relief to find that you aren't a total dimwit!
   
   The photos are clear and I appreciated that she used 'ordinary' riders so that you could look at common faults and how they corrected them.
   
   The initial text on Heathers own brand of saddle, seat savers and the use of the Pelham was interesting but went on for too long. The 'sales pitch' for her saddles and seat saver wasn't really appropriate in an instructional book. For those not able (or wanting) to buy additional gear these sections added little or no value to the book.
   
   There were also some unexplained personal reveries in the book that made it a little 'me me me', and she often went off on tangents in order to leacture on how bad other trainers were or to talk about personal experiences with 'abuse' (that she apparently did nothing about) but overall this is a good book. I still refer back to it from time to time and it is usually greatly appreciated whenever I lend it out to fellow riders.



4. This is THEE best book I have ever read. I have never read and applied so many techniques from one book that have actually worked. I am absolutely positive that you will find no other book that comes close to this.



5. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who rides. Young, old, learning or advanced. This book has LOTS of great techniques, and ideas. I really liked this book because the approaches used are soft on the horse, and easy for the rider to execute. Two pieces of information I got from this book, that will always stick in my mind, are: 1. When buying or picking a saddle to ride in, look at the placement of the stirrup bars. If the bar is placed really close to the front of the saddle, your leg will be pulled forward, and therefore out of the Classical position and infront of your centre of balance. So choose a saddle that puts you in the "correct position so you are not fighting the very tool that is meant to assist you". 2. When riding in a circle or turning a corner, DO NOT turn your shoulders to the inside as suggested by almost ALL coaches!! It forces your weight to your outside and makes that leg stiff. Horses want, by nature, to keep us centred in the saddle, as it is uncomfortable for them to carry us if we are hanging off the side of the saddle. Horses will try to step under us to keep us balanced, and will therefore drift to the outside if you turn your shoulders in because your weight will be shifted the outside, and you will not be able to lighten and move the outside leg back to support the horses motion on the outside. Anyway, READ THE BOOK!! It is wonderful. You will learn a lot even if you are an Olympic rider, you will learn something!!!!! The soft approaches allow your horse to move freely. GOOD LUCK everyone with your horses!!! :)

4 comments about Life In The Galloping Lane.

1. I went into this book with Mary's May 2nd review on my mind. While I can see her point, I was able to get past the holier than thou/humble part. This might be due to the fact that I was expecting it?? Anyway, I loved the book. Besides being an interesting read (and getting to ride all the fences and meet the who's who of the horse world through the O'Connors),It comforted me in the fact that I am not the only one who has experienced catasrophies in the horse world. I am grateful that the O'Connors shared the good stories along with the bad, and I am positive that their heart was in the right place in trying to share their experiences with the rest of us. They have truly earned their place in the horse world. Buy the book.



2. I read this book when it was first published, and I didn't post a review then, but I feel compelled to do so now, in response to the negative review from May 2, 2006.
   
   Yes, okay, this isn't a great book. It's very much an "as told to" kind of effort. But it isn't a bad read, and I didn't get the sense at all that the O'Connors are talking down to the reader. Just the opposite, in fact. Perhaps it depends on where you're coming from. I still consider myself something of a new rider (I started in my 40s), and I get a lot of inspiration from the O'Connors. Maybe if you're a three- or four-star eventer, you'll find this book a yawn, but I thought it was interesting, and I knew quite a bit about the O'Connors before I bought it. So there!
   
   Happy reading--and riding!



3. This book reads like a series of junior high "who is your hero" essays. Karen and David are an incredible duo and a force in the equestrian world, but their story would have been better told by a biographer. The writing is peppered with "i was like:" and unexplained comments tossed out about the O'Connor family, and generally runs in a: this happened, and then this happened, and then this happened etc. The authors come off as simultaniously humble and holier-than-thou. All in all, this book is very awkward to read and makes it difficult to care for the couple with their constant talk about how it is their duty to associate with us mere mortals who look up to them. As if, in their attempts to be more accessible, they only place themselves further away. For a much more engaging read, i recommend "In Service to the Horse", of which the O'Connors are major players in the cast, and far more interesting than in this attempt.



4. I thought this book was awesome! It started out at the age of 11 for both Karen and David. David and his Mother and Brother went on a trip across the world when he was 11, on horseback! They traveled with sleeping bags and food along the way they stop at people homes. Most people insisted that they stay inside but they preferred the barn. Along the way David and his mom's horses went lame and two owners of horse let them use their while they housed the lame ones and sent them back when the trip was over! David states that ways the turning point in his career because he really got to know horses! When Karen turned 11 her parents bought her first horse. Many people would refer to it as a push button pony because it did everything she had asked it to. So as she rode different ponies it became a challenge for her. Later Karen and David met each other at horse shows. They begin to date later on. One show Karen had a bad day and did not do very well and they decided to break up. They both continued to show horses and saw each other at shows but did not talk to each other. When they were on the Olympic team training in England the started dating. Later they were at a party in Ireland and one of there friends also named Karen stood up and said now would be the perfect time to celebrate the engagement Karen Lende and David O'Connor.(At the time they were not engaged yet)So David ask Karen to marry him she said I will think about it. So David went to another lady there and took her hand and Karen said yes. Now they are married and Both Olympian horseback riders. They have done many things to make there barn sucssful both of there staff work for them and made them into a tema called the OCET O'Connor equestrian team. They treat all there staff as a team instead of there workers. This was one of there main goals when they got married for there barn to be successful and everyone to get along and they have worked very hard to accomplish it.
   
   
   BY EMILY

1 comments about Effective Teaching & Riding: Exploring Balance And Motion.

1. This book is a great resource for developing your dressage seat and psychology.

2 comments about Equine Angels: Stories of Rescue, Love, and Hope.

1. This wonderful book brought tears to my eyes as I viewed the pictures of the mares and foals in such bucolic settings. The real story of the lives of these beautiful animals is told in a factual accounting of the abuse suffered before being rescued by true angels dedicated to the atonement for the injustices created by our modern society. Special relationships are forged with intense devotion between the angels and their horses that make the reader empathize with these personal stories. It is impossible not to be affected by what you read in this book of the great work done by the angels. It is a must read by animal lovers.



2. This book needed to be written....and it has been written by a writer with just the right touch of factual information, sentimentality, urgency, love and gratitude to make it reach out to your heart and pull you in to help in some way. Frank Weller's optimism shines through a story and an industry that has dark sides. He, however, has chosen to spotlight the success stories, his "angels" with both two and four legs, and that is what makes the book his own. Anyone who loves animals of any kind, anyone who has owned or had a relationship with a horse in their lifetime or has dreamed of doing so all their lives, will be drawn to the stories of Frank's army of angels as they share their reasons for getting involved and rescuing a PMU equine. The photos are mesmerizing...so beautiful are the photos taken in Canada pre-rescue, that one could almost believe that these horses are living the perfect life! Unless of course, you know how it ends....and then the photos of the foals safe and sound are the ones that warm your heart. A wonderful book and a wonderful gift for any horse or animal lover in your life! Uplifting and special! Bravo to Frank Weller and Donna Cloutier and all the "angels"!

5 comments about Improve Your Horse's Well-Being(A Step-by-Step Guide to TTouch and TTeam Training.

1. Finally a book which gives a complete overview of the many aspects of TTEAM work! I can imagine that it might be a bit overwhelming if you have never done any TTEAM, but if you have been to a course you will understand it very well. The book is very helpfull and suggests solutions to many problems.
   The great thing is that Linda really thinks from the horse's point of view and is always looking why a horse does what he does and how you can work with him from there.
   
   Vanda Oosterhuis



2. I felt like I was "missing" something with this book. It's not an easy topic to put in book form, I guess. If I had started with the video, I probably would've gotten it faster. I also wish she'd have picked easier names for some of the exercises. Call me clueless, but I'm not going to easily remember what the heck Lick of the Cow's Tongue is with a name like that. The main complaint I have about this book is the insistence on using stud chains. If you have a properly halter trained horse (or a really sensitive one), you should never need to use one. I have a wary Spanish Mustang rescue mare who'd charge into the next county if I even attempted to use a stud chain on her (and she's the one that I got this book for).



3. My horse trainer suggested I look for material by Linda Tellington - Jones on Ttouch as she uses some of her techniques and suggested it would be good to be consistent in handling. I picked it up and started to read and couldn't put it down. I read the first 40+ pages and completed it the next day. Moreover I started using the techniques the very next day on the horse and what a difference it makes. As a first time adopter of a five year old range born and range matured Mustang sometimes I feel I need a little help. Book is extremely helpful, diagrams are useful and exceptionally well done. 5 *s +



4. This is an outstanding book. Whether you are new to the Tteam system, or whether you have seen the videos and attended clinics, this book offers clear, step by step directions, with very helpful pictures. An extremely useful reference book. I have used Tteam on lots of different horses and seen immediate and positive results. This book gives very clear directions and instructions.



5. This book is by far one of the most comprehensive Tteam and Ttouch reference books. It shows you closeup pictures of how to do the Ttouch and how they are beneficial. The exercises are easy and anyone can do them. My horse was more attentive and trusting within just a few days of doing these excercises. I recommend using this book in conjunction with her video tapes. I sincerely recommend this book for anyone who wants to enhance their relationship with their horse and make it more of a partnership. It is fun for both of you.

1 comments about Horses' Teeth and Their Problems: Prevention, Recognition, and Treatment.

1. Tons more information then I had expected. Very helpful and easy to learn. It will definitely help us with our horses. Recommended to all owners or stable employees. Good stuff!!

4 comments about Tarantulas and Other Arachnids.

1. This is a good starter book for tarantula hobbyists with lots of great pictures to help identify various spider breeds. A good addition to any spider library.



2. This book has been extremly helpful. Recommend to all who have or plan on having Tarantulas.



3. If you are interested in owning a tarantula or are new to the hobby I highly reccomend this book. It is well writen to the point and covers a lot of BASIC care information without getting to scientific or to historical. Great pictures and it has a pretty good section on different tarantulas in the hobby (talks about the temprement, housing, etc,) which will help you to choose what tarantula is right for you. This is a must for any tarantula hobbyist. Well worth your money.



4. Whether new to having a pet tarantula, or a little further along in the hobby, this is a great book to have on hand. All the basic questions/concerns about keeping a tarantula are well-covered in this book. There are also many beautiful color photos of tarantulas that will make you want to keep expanding your collection! There is far less information on keeping other spiders and scorpions, but it is still very helpful if you are starting out.

3 comments about The Big Book of Horses (Big Book of . . . (Welcome Books)).

1. This book has great pictures, with some really fun and interesting quotes. I was a little disappointed that the pictures were all black and white, but it was still quite nice



2. Just Sit Back with your favorite drink and enjoy the passion of black and white glory of pictures beyond ..
   Many poems and sonnets that add to the delight of this amazing book!



3. My 7 year old daughter is horse crazy and purchased this with a birthday giftcard. The book is a beautiful collection of photos, quotes, quips, and short stories the whole family enjoys. Everything we'd hoped for!

5 comments about Dream Horses: A Poster Book.

1. I purchased this along with the Breeds poster book but was disappointed in the quality of the photos. You could so easily tell that they had been altered mechanically. In the style of Robert Vavra but way behind in quality. I was sorry that I bought this one for my horsemanship camp students. The very young set 6-8 did like the magic and the unicorn but the older kids found it corny. High quality paper and the possibility of tearing out the pages as posters are why I gave it two stars. This is nice for decorating a room with if you have a younger child but like I said the alterations are too visible for an older child.



2. My horse loving 8 yr old daughter got this from santa for christmas and loves it. The pictures are beautiful and are printed on nice photo type paper. Also the pages are very easy to take out without ripping the pictures. For now we are keeping the book together, until we buy some picture frames for them. Once they are framed we will display them either in a collage on one wall of her bedroom or display them as a border.



3. This book is gorgeous in its layout and pictures of horses ready to be framed and displayed. There is a great variety in both the horses and the environment -- some pictured singly and others in a group. Very nice! My granddaughter was ecstatic!



4. The first customer, Luan Gaines wrote a perfect review. I too bought this for my one of my little girls who loves everything & anything horses. She looks at each & every page over & over.The rest of the world just melts away when she & I have this book open. This poster book of horses was beautifully put together. Sheer genius!!! Stunning photo after photo! Your horse lover will treasure this gift forever.



5. This picture book is full of beautiful pictures of horses. All of them are amazing and beautiful. All of them, however, are pictures of horses in motion. A lovely sight, undoubtedly, but I also enjoy pictures of horses in stillness, and in this regard, the book comes empty.

2 comments about Practical Dressage Manual.

1. This book is very concise, clear and helpful with explinations of basic and advanced dressage movements. It inculdes extremly articulate definitions of the gaits, aids and basic riding terms. The diagrams of aids are very useful. The photos help to give the reader a clearer picture of the concepts beign described.This book would be good for any rider to read. Written by one of the top dressage riders, it can be a bit tedious at times, since the authour's native tounge is not english.



2. A condensed but informative book covering the basic gaits through upper level movements, also covers the riders aids and position, and a brief chapter on competition. This book doesn't go into great detail but has good information in it for anyone interested in dressage. It outlines several exercises to develop the horse, and riders aids for movements are illustrated as if you are looking down on the horse. Written by a very experienced rider emphasizing the "art" of dressage. A good addition to any dressage library.