2 comments about The Right Track: Arena Exercises for Riders and Instructors.

1. I received this book pretty quickly. I like the analogies it uses in regards to riding circles and serpentines. Since my background is hunter/jumper and I instruct in this discipline. It gives me the tools to better explain to my students in laments terms of how to ride the pattern.



2. This is a book for the youngsters. A book of arena movements. It is written with names on the arena movements that a child may remember - e.g. the "snowman". If you are serious about your riding, it would be less confusing to learn the correct terms for the movements. It is just as easy for children to learn the correct names in the first place. I purchased this book, but sold it on due to not being able to tolerate the silly names. Old habits die hard.

No comments about Aromatherapy for Horses (Threshold Picture Guides).

No comments about Lessons on the Lunge for Horse and Rider.

2 comments about Great Breeders and Their Methods: The Hancocks.

1. Great Breeders like the Hancocks are truly legendary men, whose impact on Thoroughbred racing and breeding will continue to be felt well into this millenium. The insights into their selection of breeding stock and successful development of continuing sire lines should be studied by all breeders and horse owners. Their firm beliefs in how to breed classic winning horses has stood the tests of time. If more people studied their priorities and methods, the days of a trend toward more 2YO and sprint racing could be reversed. Their ability to breed horses that could run distances at 10f and up at 3, remain sound, and pass their excellence to later generations. There is a tradition at Claiborne to put each new stallion in the stall of his sire(upon the sire's death), with the brass nameplates of former occupants. I will never forget visiting Secretariat only 2 years from his death and looking at his stall. Above his name was Nasrullah, Bold Ruler, and Secretariat(Risen Star followed). Horses whose influence, along with another Claiborne stallion, Mr. Prospector, are still infuencing racing through the excellence of their grandsons and granddaughters. This book is full of history, theory, practices, family issues, and fully defines the title of Great Breeders.



2. We continue to be completely satisfied with the excellent service we receive through Amazon.com and its affiliates. Everything is sent quickly (usually ahead of the estimated delivery date), cleanly, in excellent condition, and exactly as advertised. Thank all those involved with this process.

5 comments about Monte Foreman's Horse-Training Science.

1. Monte Forman should be recognized as the Father of Clinics. He started it all and, along with the wisdom and knowledge of Tom Dorrance and Ray Hunt, gave us the foundation today that has sprouted so many well-known clinicians. Twenty-five years ago, all I heard about was Monte Forman from my "old friend" and a true horseman, Cliff Fisher. This book is a definite addition to any serious horse person's library. It is well written with simple directions and photos to achieve many tasks one would like to successfully complete. Highly recommended for all breeds and disciplines as horse talk is horse talk.



2. I bought this book way back in 1983. I still have it today.When I bought a green horse,it was like a bible to me. I still have the same horse too, so that should tell you this book helped me immensely. I believe in the methods that they teach in it because they really work. I also believe that the methods are timeless. I'm an East-coast backyard horse owner.



3. Monte Foreman's Horse Training Science, was written by Monte Foreman and Patrick Wyse, his long time student and his first certified insrutuctor, who has also been my instructor and mentor for nearly 30 years.

   To really appreciate this book, a little background is helpful. Monte Foreman pioneered the use of video analysis in the study of how and why horses and riders interact.

   Back in the days when almost everybody just leaned back and jerked the bit to stop a horse, Monte Foreman started taking home movies of good riders in various situations. He taped the same horse/rider combinations stopping while roping a calf, and stopping in a reining class. The differences in the horses and riders were astounding! Because of this, Monte started developing his own method of stopping horses, based on the calf roping stop. Horses trained in this method would stop balanced and relaxed from the rider's subtle signal, instead of getting suddenly yanked into the ground, as was commonly done.

   Foreman also used video analysis to develope more effective methods for lead changes, roll maneuvers, and other elements of his training system, dubbed the BASIC HANDLE.

   This method has been proven with thousands of students of Foreman and co-author Patrick Wyse. They focus in the book on practical and humane training methods, that have stood the test of time. Although this book is dated, the information is and always will be relevant.

   In this age of "Horse Whisperers" who all seem to have some kind of hidden secret, Foreman and Wyse teach that all the elements of horse training can be learned by any student with enough time and desire to achieve it.

   Monte Foreman's passing on was a tremensous loss to the equestrian world, but co-author Patrick Wyse is still teaching and training in clinics all over the North America, and at his home in Townsend, Montana. More about Patrick Wyse can be learned from his website, www.HorseWyse.com.




4. I am so pleased that this classic has been resurrected. It offers instruction that is clear and logical. This book made a lasting impression on me 25 years ago, and I heartily recommend it. Its techniques helped me to achieve many blue ribbons with my horses.



5. A very informative well written book. Great for allowing average rider to get there horse handy with all the basic reining moves you could want. While I dont always agree with all he has to say I beleive that he has the horses best interest in mind. There are some things that have changed due to the times but his basics are still very good

No comments about The Tale of Two Horses (Equestrian Travel Classics).

5 comments about The Natural Rider: A Right-Brain Approach to Riding.

1. This is a wonderful book. It has taken me a long time to read it but so worthwhile. If you like her book you should see her in person...even better. This lady puts the exclamation point on anyone's riding.



2. 
   I expected more of this book by Mary Wanless, actually, a lot more. But "The Natural Rider A Right Brain Approach" is tough going even for people who have more than a little experience. No mistake about it, there is plenty of good information in the book. The problem is absorbing that information is hampered by the uneven, sometimes disjointed presentation. There are just easier ways to learn the same things than struggling through this book. Mary W.'s videos are a lot better.



3. I stopped riding ten years ago, having ridden for five years as a child. I didn't forget any of what I learned but I did find it more difficult to come back and not be apprehensive as an adult. What I'm coming to understand through this book is how to go about getting horses to work with me instead of against me. It's easy to attribute problems to the horse but this book shows you that it's important to recognize the part you play as a rider in getting the best out of your horse. In reading this book, I cannot believe how much my instructors did not tell me that would have helped so much. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is at least somewhat familiar with terminology because it could be confusing for a beginner student.



4. Liked the book very much. I now ride my horse bridleless and bareback. Her book gave me the best seat I never got from riding instruction. The first Mary Wanless book I recommend to my students



5. On its own, this is an OK book about riding, but it tends to ramble on. Buy Mary Wanless's Masterclass instead, where she clearly presents her principles of riding.

1 comments about Emotional Healing for Horses & Ponies.

1. If your horse's behavior has you stymied, and the tried and true training techniques have failed to yield results, this book may help.
   
   Emotional Healing for Horses and Ponies sheds light on the equine view of the world, which is often so very different from our own. Authors Stefan Ball, Heather Simpson, and Judy Howard remind us that most of all, horses are prey animals, and everything they think and feel is filtered through that prism.
   
   They address a host of what we often perceive as difficult or puzzling behaviors, not only explaining the horse's perspective but offering specific advice on the appropriate uses for the various Bach Flower Remedies, which work on a vibrational level to bring emotions into balance.
   
   Among the common dilemmas they address are trailer and travel problems, fear and anxiety, boredom, aggression, and grief. Rather than simply prescribing one particular remedy as a cure-all for a particular situation, the authors stress the importance of understanding the root cause of the behavior, because there are subtle nuanced differences in the ways in which each remedy will affect the nervous system.
   
   For example, if a horse is fearful of entering a trailer for no apparent reason, Mimulus might be helpful. If you know that the horse's refusal is a result of a previous traumatic experience, then you might try Star of Bethlehem. If the horse is simply balking because of wariness of a new experience, then Walnut might be in order. Or if a horse panics and completely loses control, Rescue Remedy could be just the thing to ease the stress.
   
   The authors provide a glossary of the vibrational qualities and equine uses for each of the 38 Bach Flower Remedies, with advice as to how to administer them. They have packed this slim volume with dozens of stories and examples of how the remedies, coupled with other types of intervention, can ameliorate "the stress of living with people." If you own or work with horses, it's an invaluable guide.

5 comments about Hollywood Hoofbeats: Trails Blazed Across the Silver Screen.

1. Great book, full of very interesting information about all the great horses that contributed so much to my childhood enjoyment !! Wonderful photo's, very good research in this. I love horses and movies, what a great combo !! Well written !!



2. This book is fabulous. All my horse-crazy friends and I oohed and ahhed and squealed with delight as page after page brought great photos of all our horsey heros and heroines before our enchanted eyes. The text is well-written, informative and very entertaining. You couldn't do much better as a gift for a horse-loving baby-boomer who grew up with all these famous equines and their two-legged companions.



3. Petrine Day Mitchum's book is more than exciting and informative. It's a tribute to all those horses who carried all those actors, and sometimes even carried the movies, too. They are the heroes of this book, and she presents them as individuals of courage and intelligence who so often suffered to bring us our thrills, from Ben Hur's chariot race to John Wayne jumping his mount over a fence and waving his hat in farewell. So many of our top movie memories include these animals. It's time they received the attention and respect - and the thanks - that they deserve. Gerald DiPego, Santa Ynez, California



4. This is one of the most well researched books I have ever owned. Not only is it beautifully written, the photographs are a delight. I cannot imagine anyone who loves movies not loving this book. It is a wonderful tribute to those responsible for the care and training of horses for film and for the great actors with whom they shared the big screen. This book is an absolute must for your collection!



5. Been looking for a good resource for trivia and information about the horses from various TV shows and movies. This is it. Some wonderful pictures accompany the informative text. This is a good compilation for anyone who loves horses and remembers them from the TV or Movie screen.

1 comments about The Riding Experience & Beyond: Personal Development for Riders.

1. I am loving this new book by Jill Hassler-Scoop, et al.! It has thoroughly explained integration and the psychological aspects of riding. It has helped me organize my rides better and keep my training calm and effective. It is very easy to read and understand and is the type of book you can refer back to again and again to "refresh" your riding attitudes. I am buying it for my riding buddies for Christmas!