February Book Reviews
Dressage Books
Dressage Unscrambled - Bill Woods
Author Bill Woods has put together dozens of stories and anecdotes that elucidate, illustrate, and demystify hoary dressage principles while managing to skewer the sacred bovines---both two and four legged---of our sport.
Read his slightly off center takes on perennially burdensome topics like attention, self carriage, and connection. Mix in the hits and near misses of insight that a lifetime of teaching brings. Add in 40 years of weirdness gleaned from scribes, riders, teachers, and unindicted dressage co-conspirators, and you get a book that will bring a pile of smiles, a bucket of chuckles, and even an occasional spasmodic rotflol episode.
Customer Reviews
Dressage Unscrambled Review
This is a rare dressage journey. It not only has clever ideas for schooling your horse but is so wonderfully entertaining it's impossible to put down. A must read!!
Hysterical and even useful
This book uses explanations that are both amusing and useful. Bill Woods uses interesting imagery to make his useful points and some of his explanations gave me a different way of viewing things with which I've been struggling . . . all while I was dying laughing. After I finished reading it, I read some of his stories to my dressage instructor (who has an International Horsemasters and started in Eventing like Bill) and I thought she was going to fall on the floor, she was laughing so hard! I also repeated some of his imaginative explanations to her and she found the imagery as interesting as I did (I'm sure some of his explanations will find their way into her arena in her students' lessons). For a sport that most people take soooo seriously, it was great fun to read such a funny book from such a respected rider/instructor/judge. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and plan to recommend it to the rest of the people at the barn. (and yes, there are some typo's in this book that could be eliminated, but no more than I see in most books - only someone in the obsessive compulsive realm of dressage would notice or be annoyed!)
A fun and useful read!
Hilarious
Really great,light hearted read. More in the line of James Herriot's stories than another dull,technical how-to book. Does have some really good training ideas scattered throughout. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
The Athletic Development of the Dressage Horse - Charles de Kunffy
Customer Reviews
A classic Dressage reference
This is one of the best dressage books available - although the schooling patterns are extremely useful and well-described, I actually enjoyed it more for the discussions of dressage/riding philosophy and "big picture" schooling issues
Practical book
of great usefulness for riders of any level and discipline. The author discusses manege patterns that help achieving correct athletic development of your horse and help remedies faults such as crookedness. Too often, riders resort to use of equipment, such as draw reins, to control their horse. After reading this book, these people will realize that that is completely unneccessary and, moreover, is inhumane and has adverse effects. This book is more to the point than some of the other books by the same author.
Excellent!
A 'keeper' and invaluable addition to any 'classical' dressage library!!! A complete list of patterns / exercises, yet still within the description of Classical Dressage. De Kunffy is certainly among the elite group of 'masters'!!!
Reining
Reining Essentials - Sandy Collier, Jennifer Forsberg Meyer
Brimming with expertise and insider information for one of the most popular competitions in Western riding, this definitive reining manual takes aspiring horseback riders through the initial steps—choosing a horse and perfecting the required maneuvers—all the way to becoming a confident competitor. What originated among cowboys working ranch cattle has clearly turned into one of the hottest disciplines in the Western tradition, with the National Reining Horse Association experiencing a dramatic 40 percent increase in membership over the past 10 years. From one of the top competitors and trainers in the sport, this essential guide contains the best methods for producing well-trained horses who can stop, spin, accelerate, and accept the rider's every cue.
Customer Reviews
Thank You Notes
Sandy Collier has distilled this book down to the best. I am a better communicator (and therefore rider) with my horses because of her being able to teach me how to train my horse....simply. When things seem to "head south" whilst training my colts I can simply aim for another one of Sandy's exercises and with no fuss or bother we are back on course.
If my colts had opposable digits they would be writing Sandy Collier a thank you note for her REINING ESSENTIALS book!!!!
Great Read!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone involved in performance horses. Sandy presents a lot of helpful hints that you can put to use right away!
Reining Essentials:How to Excel in Western's Hottest Sport
Being a first time horse owner I found this book very helpful in "everyday" exercises with my horse. The do's and don'ts of working the horse on the ground or in the saddle.I like this book very much.
Through a need to fine-tune his methods and techniques of training in order to stay among the top competitors, Al Dunning presents a brand-new edition that reflects the changes made in his training programs. Includes updated copy and more than 300 new photos.
I was pleasantly impressed with this edition of Dunning's book. There are so many important exercises this book reveals to achieve your finished, complete horse. Dunning shares detailed descriptions of each exercise including great photos to provide the reader with an all-around understanding of how to execute each move, and why. I would recommend this book for the horseman who is looking for complete control of his horse, and a detailed understanding of why his horse may respond in a certain way to current commands. The lessons included in Dunning's book, when applied, will create a well rounded animal who can execute not only all of the reining requirements for competition, but will be a better animal to own that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Reining by Al Dunning
Excellent. Written in a clear, concise manner and easy to follow. Not for beginners at reining. If you are with a trainer, or have a pretty good background knowledge in dressage, this book can bring a lot of things together. Highly recommend this book.
Western Horseman Reining
I love this book. It is very informative and helped me to keep the whole picture in mind. It takes many steps and the right form to do these exercises properly. Great book!
WESTERN RIDING
Each easy-to-use - workbook includes complete, illustrated directions, an arena map, a list of exercise benefits, necessary precautions, and a "Test Your Skills" section.
Strengthen your Western riding skills with this read-and-ride guide. Perfect for quick reference in the ring!
Beginning Western Exercises features arena maps with patterns of exercises and gaits to help you:
-- Hone your balance
-- Perfect your use of aids
-- Continue transitions
-- Master bending
-- Start lateral work
-- Begin collection
I'm a dyed in the wool western rider and have heard trainers say "check your horse" but didn't realize until I bought this book that a western check is about the same thing as what dressage riders call a half halt. With just this one exercise from this book, I am now finally getting my horse collected. I like the handy size - I stuff it in the gullet of my saddle on top of the blanket. I bought the advanced western book too.
Experience the thrills, challenges, and fun of Western riding!
Beginning riders and Western riders of all ages and skill levels will love this complete guide to the exciting world of Western riding. Veteran rider and trainer Charlene Strickland takes you step-by-step through the process of becoming an effective rider, from evaluating a horse to dressing for style and safety.
Choosing a Western Horse
* Quarter Horse
*Appaloosa
*Paint
*Palamino and more
Tacking up
* Fitting a saddle
* Choosing a bit
* Tack care
* Proper attire
Tips and Techniques
* Choosing an instuctor
* Conditioning
* Training
* Problem Solving
Competitive Events
* Trail riding
* Equitation
* Endurance riding
* Horse show
Customer Reviews
Good and complete book for the beginning western rider
I loved this book! I have just bought my own quarter horse and read many interesting things in this book that helped gaining more knowledge about western riding, horses, tack and training. I think it is a very good book for people who are starting out with western riding and/or are thinking about buying their own horse.
Sandy Collier has distilled this book down to the best. I am a better communicator (and therefore rider) with my horses because of her being able to teach me how to train my horse....simply. When things seem to "head south" whilst training my colts I can simply aim for another one of Sandy's exercises and with no fuss or bother we are back on course.
If my colts had opposable digits they would be writing Sandy Collier a thank you note for her REINING ESSENTIALS book!!!!
Great Read!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone involved in performance horses. Sandy presents a lot of helpful hints that you can put to use right away!
Reining Essentials:How to Excel in Western's Hottest Sport
Being a first time horse owner I found this book very helpful in "everyday" exercises with my horse. The do's and don'ts of working the horse on the ground or in the saddle.I like this book very much.
Reining (Western Horseman Books) - By Al Dunning
Customer Reviews
A thorough, yet simple guide to improving responsiveness. I was pleasantly impressed with this edition of Dunning's book. There are so many important exercises this book reveals to achieve your finished, complete horse. Dunning shares detailed descriptions of each exercise including great photos to provide the reader with an all-around understanding of how to execute each move, and why. I would recommend this book for the horseman who is looking for complete control of his horse, and a detailed understanding of why his horse may respond in a certain way to current commands. The lessons included in Dunning's book, when applied, will create a well rounded animal who can execute not only all of the reining requirements for competition, but will be a better animal to own that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Reining by Al Dunning
Excellent. Written in a clear, concise manner and easy to follow. Not for beginners at reining. If you are with a trainer, or have a pretty good background knowledge in dressage, this book can bring a lot of things together. Highly recommend this book.
Western Horseman Reining
I love this book. It is very informative and helped me to keep the whole picture in mind. It takes many steps and the right form to do these exercises properly. Great book!
WESTERN RIDING
Intermediate Western Exercises (Arena Pocket Guides) - By Cherry Hill
Strengthen your Western riding skills with this read-and-ride guide. Perfect for quick reference in the ring!
Beginning Western Exercises features arena maps with patterns of exercises and gaits to help you:
-- Hone your balance
-- Perfect your use of aids
-- Continue transitions
-- Master bending
-- Start lateral work
-- Begin collection
Customer Reviews
I learned a western half halt! I'm a dyed in the wool western rider and have heard trainers say "check your horse" but didn't realize until I bought this book that a western check is about the same thing as what dressage riders call a half halt. With just this one exercise from this book, I am now finally getting my horse collected. I like the handy size - I stuff it in the gullet of my saddle on top of the blanket. I bought the advanced western book too.
The Basics of Western Riding - By Charlene Strickland
Experience the thrills, challenges, and fun of Western riding!
Beginning riders and Western riders of all ages and skill levels will love this complete guide to the exciting world of Western riding. Veteran rider and trainer Charlene Strickland takes you step-by-step through the process of becoming an effective rider, from evaluating a horse to dressing for style and safety.
* Quarter Horse
*Appaloosa
*Paint
*Palamino and more
Tacking up
* Fitting a saddle
* Choosing a bit
* Tack care
* Proper attire
Tips and Techniques
* Choosing an instuctor
* Conditioning
* Training
* Problem Solving
Competitive Events
* Trail riding
* Equitation
* Endurance riding
* Horse show
Customer Reviews
Good and complete book for the beginning western rider
I loved this book! I have just bought my own quarter horse and read many interesting things in this book that helped gaining more knowledge about western riding, horses, tack and training. I think it is a very good book for people who are starting out with western riding and/or are thinking about buying their own horse.
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