5 comments about Breeding Management and Foal Development.

1. This book is a "must have" for breeding farms, whether you are just starting out or a veteran breeding farm manager. It is an excellent reference book, easy to read, lots of pictures and great practical advice from setting up a breeding farm to handling a foal.



2. My friend gave me this book about 10 years ago. I had hoped that there was a newer edition out. I think every breeder should have this book on hand. It tells you everything you need to know about what to do if there is a problem with foaling. Easy to understand drawings of foal's positions and details about what to do if there is a problem. This could be a life saver if you ever have a problem. You don't have time to read and try to figure out what they are talking about. The pictures say it all and tell you how to reposition the foal and when to get the vet to do it. Many helpful feeding information charts on hays and grains, what size to expect your horse to grow up to be, lots of information of potential diseases, how to handle your new foal, feeding your nursing mare. Etc. Well worth the money.



3. This is an excellent source of information for breeding horses. It gives terrific information on stallion and broodmare management. It also gives information on diseases affecting the reproductive system in both mares and stallions. The foal development part of the book is also very informative and interesting. It discusses the different stages of foal development from the time of conception to the time of birth.



4. This is a great book that deals with all the aspects of owning/operating a breeding farm. There is more to professional breeding than having a few ponies in the backyard. I especially found the cost analyses and tax examples very useful.



5. I've read many books regarding Equine Reproduction and this is by far the best book I have encountered. It covers all aspects of breeding and foaling. My copy was given to me by my mentor, to her by her mentor, and to her by her mentor. I have loaned it to many friends expecting a foal and make all of my foaling attendants read the foaling section. This book is a must for anyone who is contemplating breeding their mare or just curious about the miracle of life. Buy the book and you'll enjoy it as much as I have.

No comments about Horse Training In-Hand: A Modern Guide to Working from the Ground: Long Lines, Long and Short Reins, Work on the Longe.

1 comments about Horses, Hitches & Rocky Trails.

1. This is a presentation of the method of packing into the wilderness. It is for the amateur just learning what to do in the wilderness and for the professional packer. One packer put it, "I'm surprised how many of those books I see, wide open on the back of a horse." Pat Murray, then Supervisor of the Shoshone National Forest, says in his Foreword: "Joe's home range starts where wheeled travel stops. To haul loads successfully and not hurt your animals takes know-how. Much of the know-how you have in your hands has never been written down before. Rangers, outfitters, and many so-called dudes will use this handbook, and be thankful every day they have it on the trail."
   
   There are 52 drawings to amplify the text. First published in 1959, it has been reprinted 18 times.
   --- from book's back cover

No comments about 2009 Texas Cowboy Calendar.

2 comments about Living and Working with the Horse of Spain (Living & Working With).

1. THIS BOOK WAS PURCHASED FOR A FRIEND, HE SAYS IT IS ADEQUATE, AND HAS GOOD INFORMATION.



2. This book explores the close relationship of the Andalusian horse with the country of its origin. The spirit of this horse reflects the culture of the Spanish people - from the Flamenco rhythm of its hoofbeats, to the fearless agile nature that makes it perfect for working aggressive Spanish bulls.
   
   Spanish horse owners will enjoy the chapters on management and care of the horse, importation guidelines, breeding, tack and costuming. A generous section covers the training of the Andalusian horse, focusing on exercises, techniques, and tack - which can take a different approach than other breeds. The disciplines of Doma Vaquera (Stockman's dressage), Garrocha (cattle work or artistic expression with a 12 foot long pole), and Doma Classica (classical dressage)are presented in word and photo. A small section also introduces the closely related Lusitano from Portugal.
   
   The rider is encouraged to develop a deep understanding of this unique breed and learn to balance discipline, reward and clear communication (The original "Natural Horsemanship"). The joy of exhibition riding is revealed as a way to connect with the Spanish horse and receptive audiences around the world.
   
   This book includes a rare index, which is very helpful for resourcing specific concepts and terms. Any Spanish horse enthusiast will enjoy this book. Bravo!
   
   Review by Crista Vesel

5 comments about Cavaletti: The Schooling of Horse and Rider over Ground Poles.

1. This is an excellent book for those looking for a systematic way of including cavalletti in their youngster's training. Ingrid and Reiner give excellent explanations and also provide photos/drawings to further describe what they are looking for. I have used this method in training my own youngsters with good results. One caution however, it doesn't matter how good the information is if the person applying it is unskilled or inexperienced.



2. I couldn't put this book down! Chocked full of color photos makes this pleasing to use and wonderful to leaf through for ideas and an excellent reference. A good reminder of sound, basic training principles. A great addition to any library for dressage, hunter or jumper riders.



3. I just love this book. I've never been so inspired to make a trip to Home Depot - I couldn't wait to build my own cavalletti and get out there and give it a try. Directions for building your own can be found here: www.texashorsemansdirectory.com/thdcav.htm This book provides an excellent introduction to working with cavalletti and is a must have for the English rider. Easy to read, well illustrated, great schooling plans and the gymnastic jumping section at the end is an added bonus. FUN, FUN, FUN!



4. I'm not a brave jumper and this book has really encouraged me to incorporate more ground poles and cavalletti into my regular training regime.

   My main interest is dressage but my enthusiasm for trying more pole and jumping work has been set alight by this book. They cover everything from the most basic information like boots for your horse, distances for different gaits and even how to adjust side reins correctly, right through to patterns and techniques to keep things interesting.

   The language used is simple, conversational and incredibly useful. Each topic - lunging, straight work over poles, gymnastic jumping etc - is addressed in detail with troubleshooting solutions provided for common problems. There are sample work schedules and cavalletti patterns for most objectives. This is a true working book that will be valuable to all levels of rider.




5. This book helped me immensely with training my 3 year-old standardbred and 4 year-old thoroughbred. I would recommend this book to anyone who is training their horse(s) on their own. It gives great detail in instruction and the lessons explained really do work on young and older horses.

2 comments about The ABC's of Trail Class: Teach Your Horse the Trail Courses Step by Step (Alpine Arena Handbook).

1. Very good book, would highly recommend for anyone who wants to teach their horse trail class. I am using this book to train a horse for trail class, excellent illustrations and trail class diagrams, so you can build your own courses with ease. This is a great book even if you do not plan on showing, every horse would benifit from this type of training. Well written, easy to understand to train your horses step by step. Best of all it works! Alot of fun to see your horse progress and be obediant. I now have several of Laurie's books and they all have been very helpful.



2. I thought it was a simple to understand book with the information I was looking for. Thorough. Interesting. I was pleased with it.

1 comments about Quarter Horses: A Story of Two Centuries.

1. A must have for those interested in history of the Quarter Horse. All of Denhard'ts books are excellent. I have and have read just about all of them. This book will never be outdated, and will always be relevant.

1 comments about Equine Breeding Management and Artificial Insemination.

1. This book is a must for any owner or manager of an equine breeding facility. It is technical, but relatively easy to read and complete. Whether you're an expert whose been in the business for years or a novice just getting started, this is the primer you've been looking for. It's one you'll want to keep handy for looking up answers to new questions or reviewing the answers to your old ones. Kudos to the author for a job well done. It's worth noting that no matter what breed of horses you work with, you will still find this reference invaluable.

5 comments about The Complete Book of Bits & Bitting.

1. FINALLY a complete look at horse bits and practices from the beginning of horsemanship through today. A necessary book for every serious horse person's library - this is one we will come back to again and again I'm sure. Includes excellent photos and diagrams of the different bits and hackamores et al with explanations of how and WHY each piece works. While the author does have some disapproving tones at times, so what? It's his book and thus his voice after all. As long as the information is accurate and clearly given that is all the matters.



2. This is an awesome book for anyone who wants to learn more about bits. The pictures are great, and the book includes some history as well. It's also very easy to read, especially for the type of book it is.



3. ....since getting back into riding the English discipline after a break that lasted quite a few years, I was surprised when I discovered just how much technical information had slipped my mind. Since the art of bitting was at the top of my list for my about-to-be new horse, I eagerly awaited its arrival and was not disappointed. The book opens with a chapter about the evolution of the bit, then concisely describes the many bits, the variations thereof, how they feel to the horse and how to determine the best choice for your equine companion. This information far exceeded the expectations I had when I first submitted my order. Bits & Bitting helped to re-acquaint me with this very important piece of tack! The pages speak to the novice in laymans terms and also to the experienced rider that may be looking to change his or her horse's bit.



4. I bought this book with the hopes in mind to learn about the different types of bits. I didn't just want to know what they were called, but also what purpose they served. I felt that this book was a good start to my understanding bitting. I found the author, Elwyn Hartley Edwards, to be absoutely entertaining with his side comments; he stated his opinions, but without taking away from the facts, which is something one must admire with his British humor.



5. This is a very thorough study of bits and their application. It covers the history of the bit and theory behind its use. Rein effects are clearly and concisely explained (easier to demonstrate than to write about) and the horse's anatomy regarding the cause and effect of bit/bridle pressure is illustrated brilliantly to help the rider understand the effect of proper cues on the entire horse.
   
   The book emphasizes proper application of all riding cues, specifically how the bit reinforces information already relayed to the horse through the seat and legs.
   
   The illustrations are very well done and complement the book nicely.
   
   This book could benefit the beginner, but it is so thorough that it really fits into the intermediate skill level. The depth of information could easily overwhelm a beginning rider who is still struggling with basic skills.
   
   My assessment of the author's writing is that it is witty and at points humorous, in the dry manner of which the British are famous. I never felt the author was pompous or "angry sounding." It seemed to me the author is a true expert in this field and was laying out the information including his "expert opinion." I appreciated his opinions and felt the book would not have been nearly as informative without them.
   
   I almost did not buy this book based on the previous reviewer's comments. I'm glad that I bought it and once I started reading it, I found it flowed smoothly from cover to cover. My knowledge and skills are the better for it.