2 comments about 101 Horsemanship & Equitation Patterns: A Western & English Ringside Guide for Practice & Show.

1. This book is very comprehensive. There are enough "lessons" to
   get the beginning instructor and the beginning-intermediate rider through a geat year of riding and teaching.



2. This is an excellant book for anyone practicing for shows or just wanting to improve their riding skills. It has patterns for beginning, intermediate, and advanced riders. It also explains how to work the patterns. I strongly recommend it.

No comments about 2009 Cowboy Gear Calendar.

3 comments about HORSES: FROM OUR SIDE OF THE FENCE.

1. I could not put this book down. This is not just a book about horses. In the end, it is a book about gentleness, kindness and compassion. It is about love in action. It is a book as much about humanity as it is about horses. Every word evokes an image, every line provokes thought, every page leaves you with a profound insight and a changed heart.
   
   Ms. Lagno devotes all of her attention to the horses. Even so, she still brings the reader to self-examination and a new understanding. In a simple, straight-forward non-technical style, Sandy Lagno dives into the depths of what it means to be alive, and what it means to be dying. Horses: From Our Side Of the Fence is a practical approach to understanding the concepts of such great teachers as Thich Nhat Hanh and the Daili Lama.
   
   Sandy Lagno humbly accepts and puts her gifts into action, claiming no special privilege for herself. She is all at once a humble student, and a profound teacher in her own right.
   
   If you are responsible for any animal in any capacity, this book is instructive and will help you relate to your furry friends. More than that, you will have a new understanding of your own life, as well.



2. I found this book to be a fascinating read! It will really make you re-evaluate how you work with and relate to your horses. Thought provoking and humble, I was engaged from the start. It has changed how I think and act around animals. Have had Sandy work with a number of horses and she convinced me--I was a solid sceptic previously. Everyone who works with horses should read this book.



3. I have had the pleasure of actually working with Ms. Lagno in person and I'm thrilled with this book! What a blessing to finally have a book that is all about the horses!. I highly recommend Sandy's work and her book. There are many books about animal communication out there but none that come 'straight from the horses mouth'. If your a horse-lover you're in for a treat...and so is your horse!

2 comments about Buying and Re-Schooling Ex-Racehorses.

1. the book had good information,kept my attention & was easy reading. I was disappointed that it did not cover what I would consider reschooling of ex-racehorses. It was a good introduction to beginning schooling over jumps for horses that are already trained for riding. The book is geared towards people that have a certain level of knowledge and would not necessarily be good for beginner trainers. I am still going to get Coldrey's first book Breaking and Training the Young Horse. Maybe Buying and Reschooling would have been better if I had read Breaking & Training the Young Horse first.



2. I bought this book because I thought it would focus more on the special training an ex racehorse needs. This book contained mostly information on general horse training which intermediate to experienced riders/trainers probably already know. The begining of the book was the most interesting part because it gives the history of the thoroughbred breed. But, the rest of this book was pretty disappointing.

5 comments about Problem-Solving, Volume 2 (Problem-Solving (Western Horseman)).

1. I use Marty Marten's Problem Solving I and II to help me work with my new Quarter Horse. I was bucked off a little over a month ago while penning cattle, which forced me to re-examine my groundwork and my riding. I've used Marty's exercises since then, and they have worked well to build a more relaxed and trusting relationship with my horse and to make me much more consistent in working with him on the ground and in the saddle.
   
   The books are full of photos and diagrams that help explain the concepts that Marty is trying to get across. I've found that when I get the exercise right, my horse gives me the exact response predicted in the book, and if I get it wrong, my horse tells me that too. My horse is listening to me and is giving me the attention and respect that were lacking before we started Marty's program.
   
   Most other clinicians are marketing machines -- you need to buy their sticks, strings, videos, bridles, saddles, bits, etc. Marty's groundwork just requires a good rope halter and lead and he doesn't sell them. His mounted exercises just require a good snaffle bit and he doesn't sell that either. As far as I know, Marty doesn't sell videos, and his books are so well written and illustrated that you don't need them.
   
   I've got a library full of horse training books by all of the big names but Marty's Problem Solving books are the ones I take with me to the barn every day.



2. The book is very informative and has a lot of detail that is helpful.



3. I found this book very difficult to follow. He is trying to answer too many questions in one book and the information becomes very confusing instead of sticking with the basics.

   May consider writing several books and breaking them down to the different levels instead of trying to cram it all in one do it all book.

   Horses are like people they come in all different sizes, shapes, and intelligence. The book you need for guidance needs to be as such to fit the horse's needs, so you can train them properly.




4. good suggestions and helpful pictures to show what the author is saying. would recommend it!!



5. Provides practical, straightforward solutions to problems that face all horsemen at one time or another. Focuses on safety and effectiveness of the techniques for both horse and rider. Credits and draws on the philosophies and logical approaches taught by Tom Dorrance, Ray Hunt, Buck Brannaman and others of substance in fostering a spirit of partnership and good will. If a person will sincerely apply the techniques outlined with consistency, self-discipline and with a good attitude, things will surely improve for their horses and for them. Extensively diagramed and photographed to provide visuals. Book's only been in print for a few months and mine is already dog-eared! A favorite read.

No comments about The Undisciplined Horse.

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.

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.

2 comments about Understanding the Broodmare (The Horse Health Care Library Series).

1. This book takes you from start to finish, it not only gives a general summary, but some important details too.



2. Another amazing book from TheHorse!! It goes GREAT with Understanding Breeding Management! I loved the pictures and indepth, yet simple explanations of broodmare care! It walks you through the entire pregnancy and parturition!! Excellent!

4 comments about Feeding and Care of the Horse.

1. This book was purchased for a college class on equine nutrition. This book has lots of great info, but is not easy to read or understand. I had taken a previous course on livestock nutrition making it easier for myself to understand the formulas.



2. This is an incredibly detailed book, especially in terms of the nutritional needs of horses. The nutrient and ration tables in the back have been invaluable for tailoring diets specific to my horses' needs. My only complaint is that the second edition was published in 1996 and it is getting a bit dated. There is no discussion of the newer "nutraceutical" supplements on the market these days, or new research into topics already covered. I am hoping for a third edition, but I suspect I shouldn't hold my breath.



3. This book is very informative. We have 6 horses with different nutritional needs and this book is my favorite "go to" source. It has lots of tables regarding optimal growth rate, nutrient needs etc. It has a very good section on deworming and much more. There are quite a few nutrition related books for less money, however, they are not as detailed as this one and often they cite this book as their source.



4. This truly tells what to and not to let a horse eat.