2 comments about Dictionary of Equine Terms.

1. Student promting inspired this book,the students of new Horizons coraspondece corses kept asking when they were going to puplish a dictionary, and here it is. A great resourse for any one who is new to the world of horses.



2. Every horse person should have this book

No comments about Best Remudas.

3 comments about Maintaining a Natural Horse: Essential Understanding for choosing and keeping a barefoot riding horse.

1. Short book but worth the money, some real good thoughts about environment and it kept my interest.



2. There was some good information contained in this book, but the writing style made it difficult to follow. It's almost as if the writer dictated his thoughts and then transcribed them because there was a bit of rambling.
   
   I was hoping to see some photos and a more detailed discussion, which is why I rated this good but not great.



3. I got this as a gift combined with Ware's two videos. Really enjoyed reading it. Lots of stories from actual experience. Lots of good explanations. Different from what you'll find from others. If you've got an open mind, there's lots of good info here.

5 comments about Becoming an Effective Rider: Developing Your Mind and Body for Balance and Unity.

1. This book was very helpful to me in terms of developing an attitude and approach towards my riding. Not only were the technical aspects of riding covered, the mindset that allows one to gain confidence and control was addressed at length. As a high-beginner rider I found the information in this book very useful for taking the next step, into intermediate riding skills.



2. I am an absolute beginner in horseback riding and I have really appreciated the attention that the Mrs.Hill gives to the mental side of riding.(maybe due to the fact that I am not so young even if I started riding only some months ago...)
   It's very useful to see and understand that beyond your posture in saddle ,also your mind approach is important to get the best from the equestrian activities.
   My personal target in equestrian sports is to have relaxed riding and in this book you may find important suggestions in starting with a relaxed (but not careless) approach to the horse, to the grooming, to the riding etc... having the best , avoiding to transform a anti-stress activity in full-of-doubts-and anxious-one.
   This doesn't mean that also worrying features (like injuries) are not considered: on the contrary there are many parts treating about the potential dangers in riding, the wrong approach to the horse, the best way to ride safely .
   ...To be prepared is the best defence and gives you a stronger and safer confidence when you're going to ride...
   I strongly recommend this book to the beginner-riders who are searching for a good source of suggestions to prepare "their souls" to face without worries and approach with self confidence the"obstacles" in riding horseback.



3. I have read quite a bit of Ms. Hill's books and have found them very helpful. However, I was a little disappointed in this book. It is geared for a beginner and isn't very useful for the more experienced rider who needs improvement. She had a few useful points here and there but I felt like I was reading a motivational and/or human anatomy book. I would recommend Swift's Centered Riding as a wonderful source instead.



4. As a beginning adult rider I really appreciated the value I got with this book. I wanted to make the most of my weekly riding lessons and I feel I really already learned so much from this book. I got it as a gift from my husband but, if you buy it it is definitely worth the money. It prepares me for my lessons and also clarifies things very well. The most astonishing thing about this book is how it addresses every issue in a way that can improve skills and understanding for everybody- Beginner and Advanced, Western and English,etc.). It is very easy to read and understand. I really like Hill's writing style and will try out some of her other books.



5. This was one of the first books I purchased for my riding library five years ago; at age 33 I was a rank beginner just starting lessons, and I wanted to supplement the physical experience with some off-the-horse studying. Today it's pretty dog-eared, which reflects how often I've gone back to it. It covers just about every aspect of riding one can think of(the aids, body awareness, feel, creative imagery to help position, psychology-even proper attire and tack!), and is written clearly and concisely, never getting dull or overly technical(wish I could say the same for some of the others I've shelled out for). It is also very reasonably priced-a good "value for money", as the british say, which is why I've rated it so highly. I would give it as a gift to any novice, adult or otherwise.

1 comments about Legends, Volume 5: Outstanding Quarter Horse Stallions and Mares (Legends).

1. For a book of this price, I was expecting the photos of the horses to be in color. There are plenty of photos, but the only color is on the front & back cover. It's ok, but for this price, Western Horseman could do better.
   
   The horses profiled in this book are:
   Bartender
   Bill Cody
   Chicado V
   Chubby
   Custus Rastus (TB)
   Hank H
   Leo San
   Little Joe
   Jackie Bee
   Jaguar
   Joe Cody
   Joe Moore
   Monita
   Mr Bar None
   Pat Star Jr
   Pretty Buck
   Skipa Star
   Topsail Cody

2 comments about Fitness in Motion: Therapeutic Exercises for Horses.

1. This is a very nice book. I can work with my horse and put the book by the side and not have to weight the pages down with old horseshoes to keep our place. That is a nice feature, but it is also easy to follow the exercises. It has taken a couple of weeks, but my young horse is just beginning to actually enjoy and finally relax during the exercises rather than wonder what in the world I am doing to him now. So far I haven't seen a lot of change, because he came to me at two years of age with some wariness of people. The tension and worry he still holds in some amounts, I am certain, make the exercises considerably less effective. Having met Dr. Frick at the NC Equine Affair, I was impressed with her knowledge and her sincere wish to help all rider/drivers and their equines. I have been anxiously awaiting the ability to purchase this book and have been checking frequently. I think it will be a nice tool in my toolbox of horsemanship techniques and well worth the investment.



2. We have three elderly (20+)quarter horses we use for occasional trail riding, and an eight-year old Arab-quarter horse cross whom we also ride trails with on Colorado's front range. I ordered this book at the end of our riding season--it's been snowing, blowing and freezing here, so I haven't had a chance to put many of the exercises to use yet, but I'm impressed with the comprehensiveness of the book. Readers are encouraged to look at the whole horse, the barn situation, the tack and their own conditioning, then told some ways to assess their horse's functioning. Specific exercises name the targeted muscle and are illustrated with very clear photographs as well as explained in words. A chart summarizing the purpose, frequency and duration, muscles/areas targeted, indications it's effective or should be discontinued are presented for each activity. The book is spiral-bound, so it can be laid flat to make it easier to use with a horse around. Some techniques are
   massage, some seem to be drawn from chiropractic or accupressure and there are also ground exercises. Even though it's very comprehensive, I don't think it will be overwhelming if you just learn one or two techniques at a time, starting with what your horse seems to need. This is a great way to hang out at the barn and spend quality time with your horse. I think this will really help to build a stronger, more positive relationship between you.

5 comments about Joe Taylor's Complete Guide to Breeding and Raising Racehorses.

1. He offers a real world perspective on the breeding of thoroughbreds. His advice on facilities maintenance is extremely useful as are his insights into the bloodstock markets.



2. This is a book to live by, for the novice or the experienced. Mr. Taylor covers everthing you need to know from buying your land to dressing a foals legs. A must have.



3. Really like this one. Has important information and opinions for the novice and expert alike. It covers a range of subjects and contains great advice for those entertaining any equine endeavors.



4. Few of us have been priviliged to learn the horse business from the dawn of conscious thought the way Joe Taylor was. If you want to know How and Why about any part of the breeding, care, feeding and selling of horses, this is the man take as teacher and authority!



5. Have read this book more times than I can count. If you have any interest in raising horses for profit, this is it. Tells it like it really is, what works, what does not.

No comments about Draft Horses and Mules: Harnessing Equine Power for Farm & Show (Storey's Working Animal).

5 comments about Basic Training of the Young Horse.

1. I am starting a young horse and I found the book straightforward and well illustrated. My youngster is already at the point of being under saddle but this book will be a very good reference as we progress in training.



2. No one can deny that Klimke was an incredible rider and trainer. The book reflects his experience and opinions about dealing with young horses. He encourages a careful and practiceds application of the aids in order to develop suppleness, throughness, and impulsion. while the book does a good job in describing the "ideal" I was hoping for more "how-to" logistics. The section on longeing does that in discussing the best equipment, how to attach side reins correctly, etc., but the remainder of the book is less "applied" and more "theoretical."
   
   I have to say that I also object to other assumptions in the book about the general horse-owning population. For instance, Klimke says that in the first week at the barn, he only allows the grooms to handle the newly arrived horse and he is careful not to have any interaction during that time. Okkkkkkkk....
   
   Despite some rather elitist assumptions, it's a good reference book for reading about how training for young horses should proceed--but it's short on practicalities and does not offer a very precise training program.



3. This book, written by the late olympic dressage champion Reiner Klimke, is surely a standard reference. The English translation by Sigrid Young might be a little bit awkward at times (very noticable for a German native who owns the original, too), but the spirit and straightforwardness of Klimke's approach for the basic training of a dressage horse still comes across.



4. This compact, informative and economical guide to starting young horses provides an excellent overview of training the young horse, from early ground work to starting over fences. Although the book is dated, the German scale of basic training principles is timeless and very much en vogue in the dressage community today. Based on sound principles and written by an accomplished horseman, this is one to read.
   UPDATE - A year since my original review this has been the book I refer back to most of all, I think because of the handy size. Therefore, this book is well worth the money!!!



5. I thoguht this book was great because it is small and easy to carry to the barn. The pictures help you remember what you read in a "jiffy". Some of the information seems old and maybe a litle out of date but overall I think its a book thats good for anyone with a horse in training.

2 comments about Jumping for Kids.

1. Great book for kids. I got this for my daughter who didn't know how to jump her horse. The book helped her a lot. Easy to read, has perfect instuctions. Book in new condition. Great buy.



2. this book is a great refrence and covers all aspects of learning to jump safely. it has lots of great pictures and illustrations and has excercizes and courses you can try at home. you can learn about showing, cross country and even teaching your green horse to jump and solving common issues. a great all around jumping book that is even perfect for teens and adults- not just kids! i strongly reccomend it.