Lungeing, Long-Reining and In-Hand Schooling


Book Description

Schooling the horse is not just about riding - many problems or misunderstandings between horse and rider can, and should be, sorted out on the ground before attempting to ride at all. This book explains how to school your horse from the ground, starting with fundamental techniques, and gives progressive exercises to work through. It explains the importance of stretching work, how to establish a correct outline, and how to build strength and suppleness. Remedial work is also included to improve crookedness, unbalance, and stiffness, for example. Also covered is the use of training aids where necessary, and schooling over ground poles and cavaletti, as well as jumping the horse on the lunge.Observing your horse working without a rider gives you valuable insight as to the correctness of his paces, how his muscle development can be improved, and his general attitude and willingness. When your horse is moving beautifully on his own, there is no reason why he cannot do the same with you in the saddle.




Long Reining with Double Dan


Book Description

Are you ready to build a stronger partnership with your horse? Hoping to achieve a remarkable softness from the ground before you swing into the saddle? Starting a youngster or working to overcome training and behavioral problems in an older mount? Becoming bored with endless round-penning? Australian equestrian stars Dan James and Dan Steers of Double Dan Horsemanship are here to show every horse owner the basic steps to an infinitely useable training skill: long-reining. If ever there was hidden treasure in the diverse and ever-evolving realm of horsemanship, it is this underused but incredibly valuable practice. Long-reining benefits every equestrian discipline--as James and Steers demonstrate--improving the horse's self-carriage and responsiveness to the aids,and your feel and timing, like nothing else, and all from a safe and controlled position on the ground. Bring long-reining into your barn with these 20 easy-to-understand lessons, explained step-by-step with full-color photographs, including: how to use and hold long reins, how to introduce them to your horse, how to navigate with accuracy and change speed, and how perform lateral work that improves your horse's flexibility and overall movement. You, and your horse, will enjoy the drive.




Veterinary Notes For Horse Owners


Book Description

For nearly 125 years, Captain Hayes' Veterinary Notes for Horse Owners has been the standard work on equine health care, constantly amended and updated. Leading veterinary specialists from Britain and around the world have been recruited to write this edition, the 18th, so it will continue to provide a totally comprehensive guide to horse medicine and surgery, explaining the symptoms and treatment of every disease or injury that the horse owner is likely to encounter. Written in plain language that both experts and novices will appreciate, the book contains detailed sections on the Organ, Musculoskeletal and Reproductive Systems, Infectious Diseases, Medical and Surgical matters, Management and Husbandry, and a variety of other important issues. New for this edition are section on Performance Analysis and Artificial Insemination. Clear, concise and authoritative, Veterinary Notes for Horse Owners saves horses lives.




The Art of Lungeing


Book Description

This invaluable handbook explains the importance of lungeing in the education of young horses, describes its usefulness in reschooling older horses, and discusses its value for exercising. The author gives practical advice on fitting equipment and provides a step-by-step guide to correct lungeing technique.




Hints for Hopeful Dressage Riders


Book Description

Horses are athletes, and as with all athletes, it takes them years of training every day to become strong, supple, and focused enough to climb to the top. In Hints for Hopeful Dressage Riders, author Jane Richards presents a toolbox of exercises to help both horse and rider train and improve through basic dressage. With more than fifty years of experience teaching and training with horses, Richards helps horse lovers succeed in their riding goals. Hints for Hopeful Dressage Riders provides a host of tips to help both novices and the more experienced riders to: - purchase a suitable horse; - find the correct position and effective aids; - learn training techniques; - recognize signs of discomfort; - solve common riding problems; - practice useful exercises; - understand the importance of the lunge line; and - discover clinics and showing. Hints for Hopeful Dressage Riders addresses the everyday problems riders may encounter at the lower levels of dressage. Richards offers solutions that contribute to enhance the performance and enjoyment of all horses and riders.







Horse Movement


Book Description

Anatomy, particularly functional anatomy, is a vital and dynamic subject, an appreciation of which leads not only to superior husbandry and welfare, but also to a better understanding of the anatomical challenges associated with riding, training, overtraining, injury and rehabilitation. Using Alexa McKenna's fabulous illustrations, this book shows the correlation of the skeleton, muscular system and locomotion, providing a clear insight into the functional and dysfunctional horse. It also addresses the largely misunderstood concept of 'perfect conformation' and looks at the effect on function of the rider and tack, using cutting-edge diagnostic techniques such as thermal imaging and gait analysis. Again with the emphasis on the visual, readers will be able to appreciate how muscles function in differing athletic disciplines by analysing the heat generated in musculoskeletal structures after exercise. This will also highlight the importance of post-competition recovery. The book concludes with a range of useful techniques to improve the function of any horse, including stretches, taping, wrapping and other proprioceptive techniques to increase balance, flexibility, awareness and posture.




Re-Educating Racehorses


Book Description

This fully comprehensive book guides the reader through the process of acquiring and subsequently re-training a racehorse. It provides an in-depth look at what life was like for the horse at the racing yard and how through correct training and education you can train your horse to become a happy adjusted athlete ready for everyday equestrian activities. Contents include: What to consider when re-homing a racehorse out of training; Under New Management; how to ensure a smooth transition; Feeding and Nutrition; how diet affects performance; Working from the ground; a detailed look at the importance of groundwork training; Re-schooling; what is required of you and your horse. A practical book that guides the reader through the process of acquiring and re-training a racehorse and gives advice on how you can train a horse to achieve a number of different levels depending on how advanced you wish to go. Superbly illustrated with 158 colour photographs. Fred Cook and Rowena Simmonds are experienced trainers and handlers of difficult, temperamental and sensitive horses.







Natural Methods for Equine Health and Performance


Book Description

Natural Methods for Equine Health and Performance, Second Edition, presents an overview of a natural approach to horse care and management for the 21st century. It provides sensible and readable advice on natural horsemanship, contrasting natural and domestic habitats. A range of holistic methods of treatment are covered, including acupuncture, massage, herbalism, homeopathy, and schooling exercises used by the Classical School. Mary Bromiley has an excellent reputation for achieving results using natural methods for muscle re-education. This book will be useful to anyone who owns or routinely works with horses.