First published in 1959, The Way to Perfect Horsemanship was immediately recognized as a classic work of equestrian literature. It offers insight into the psychology of the horse as well as its muscular system and the mechanics of movement. It explains in detail the basic principles of training, the fundamentals of riding, and the effect of training aids. Everyone, from trainers to occasional riders, will benefit from this book.
In this book, first published in 1939, the authors set out clearly and precisely the requirements for successful training, and for the long and healthy life of the riding horse. The authors explain the physiological facts which are the foundation of riding instruction and discuss how to identify and rectify training problems.
Out of print for more than 20 years, this classic book on equitation introduces and explains the art of riding. Updated with all new color photography of contemporary riders and horses, it includes details on training the rider, schooling the horse, cross-country riding, dressage exercises, and jumping techniques. It expertly provides a wealth of practical knowledge and experience and concisely lays down rules and guidelines that are as applicable today as when the book was written more than 70 years ago. Beginners and experts alike will find the instructions easy to follow and will benefit from the essential theoretical background provided here but so often overlooked in modern riding.
The "Allen Classic Series" brings together in a collected edition important out-of-print works of equestrian scholarship, which would otherwise be inaccessible to the dedicated enthusiast. Originally written in German in 1941, and subsequently translated into English in 1956, Waldemar Seunig's Horsemanship has become one of the most highly regarded works to be published on the training of the horse its rider. The book explores all aspects of horsemanship beginning with a study of the horse itself and a comprehensive evaluation of the physical and psychological requirements of a good rider. Following a section on the development of the rider's seat and the use of aids, the author provides a complete course of instruction for the young horse and rider in Part Two, which includes groundwork, backing the horse for the first time, development of the gaits, work in a curb bit, training open country, jumping and a discussion on how defects of conformation, disposition and character affect the training process. Part Three covers advanced work including schooled collection, manege work, piaffe, passage and, finally, the "figures about the ground".
An honest and encouraging guide for everyone who wishes their horse could be the perfect riding horse Essential tools and clear step-by-step photography for training the horse and rider help you create your perfect riding horse for any discipline or level of ability Inspirational advice and ingenious tips take you through choosing the right horse, mastering the basics of groundwork, schooling and introducing jumping Perry Wood's skill as a coach of both horses and people puts these effective methods within easy grasp of everyone, transforming any rider into a real trainer.
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the author of The Ride of Her Life and The Eighty-Dollar Champion comes the “winningly readable” (The Christian Science Monitor) true story of the heroic rescue of priceless horses in the closing days of World War II. “Hard to put down . . . One need not be an equestrian or horse lover in order to appreciate this story.”—New York Journal of Books WINNER OF THE PEN AWARD FOR RESEARCH NONFICTION In the chaotic last days of the war, a small troop of American soldiers captures a German spy and makes an astonishing find—his briefcase is empty but for photos of beautiful white horses that have been stolen and kept on a secret farm behind enemy lines. Hitler has stockpiled the world’s finest purebreds in order to breed an equine master race. But with the starving Russian army closing in, the animals are in danger of being slaughtered for food. With hours to spare, one of the U.S. Army’s last great cavalrymen, Colonel Hank Reed, makes a bold decision—with General George Patton’s blessing—to mount a covert rescue operation. Racing against time, Reed’s determined force of soldiers, aided by several turncoat Germans, steals across enemy lines to save the horses. An exhilarating tale of adventure, courage, and sacrifice, The Perfect Horse brings to life one of the most inspiring chapters in the annals of human valor.
Jean-Claude Racinet has devoted his life to the vindication of "L'equitation de L'egerete" (riding in lightness) which fosters balance by relaxing the horse-more so his mouth-excluding force in the wielding of the aids. Also written by Racinet: Total Horsemanship, Racinet Explains Baucher This practical manual, describes the horsemanship of French Tradition - characterized by lightness - from a down-to-earth point of view. Born in Paris in 1929, Jean-Claude Racinet is a graduate of St. Cyr, the French West Point, Class of 1950. He was a member of the French contingent in Korea (1950-53), where he was wounded twice. As an officer of the French army, he spent seven years in Tunisia and Algeria (1954-61) and four more years in Europe. While he spent most of his army career during the time when the military was getting rid of their horses, he managed, between and during his sojourns overseas, to successfully attend the Superior Equitation Course in the Cavalry School of Saumur (1953-54), winning the title of Champion of Tunisia in open jumping (1956), and to become a member of the Jumping Team of the Military School in Paris (1953). Riding teacher and trainer as a civilian after 9165, he was more particularly known by his retraining of difficult horses and later as an equestrian journalist by his always witty and sometimes scathing articles in the French equestrian monthly L'Information Hippique. In the United States since 1983, Jean-Claude Racinet became a successful teacher, trainer, lecturer, clinician, and author. Xenophon Press published in 1994 his highly popular book Another Horsemanship, now in its second printing. Jean-Claude Racinet has devoted his life to the vindication of "L'equitation de Legerete" (riding in lightness), which fosters balance by relaxing the horse - more so his mouth - excluding force in the wielding of the aids. In fact, the very essence of riding in the French Classical tradition. softcover, 125 pages, illustrated. Excerpt from the book: When one pushes on a horse with the legs, he goes forward, and so does the bit. So, not much should happen as concerns the coming "onto the bit" of the horse, unless one pushes and pulls at the same time. Now, if you push and pull together you give your horse two opposite orders; "go - don't go," and he can only be confused by the contradiction. Most of the time, he will choose to obey only one of these two orders - the one that fits best his character. All you're goig to get is a dull horse who will respond with less and less generosity to your legs' orders. Or, if the horse decides to obey your legs, he will have to put up with your hands' traction and will become heavier and heavier on the bit. Or both. If by contrast, you systematically open your fingers as you give an impulsive order with your legs, your horse will feel free, and will be more inclined to obey. This suppresses a major obstacle to impulsion.
If you have seen his weekly television program, Downunder Horsemanship, then you know that Clinton Anderson's training techniques can achieve amazing results with almost any horse. Now his methods are available for the first time in a reader-friendly, highly illustrated book, and you, too, can learn the program that teaches "everyday people"—regardless of riding style, age, or ability—how to better communicate with their mounts.
Tom Moates’s life and work were on a horseless path until serendipity brought Niji, a sorrel gelding, into his life. In his candid and plainspoken style, Moates shares the honest highs and lows of starting out in the Better Way with horses. He works hard to follow the wise ways of many well-known clinicians and shares his personal experiences attempting to implement them. Discovering Natural Horsemanship is sometimes humorous, often inspiring, and always resonates with authenticity.
