Mark Rashid

The title spells out one of the book's twin morals; the other is "Kindliness is better than force." Rashid (Considering the Horse), a professional horse trainer and frequent contributor to western equestrian magazines, reiterates these two themes ad nauseam, illustrating them in long-winded and meandering anecdotes, many of them reminiscences of his childhood mentor and later employer, "the old man." Admittedly Rashid has extensive experience with horses and has encountered a wide range of colorful characters in his lifetime out West. However, readers looking to glean hard information about equine behavior or training techniques will find few in proportion to the ocean of verbiage. Those who just want to cozy up with some folksy horse tales may find themselves wishing that Rashid had reined in his prolixity. Best enjoyed by true converts.

Powell/Carter

Almost a Whisper takes a look at how homo sapiens interacts with Equus caballus, the saddle horse. A kind of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance for horses and their people, this book explains starting colts and getting riders to hear their horses, even at a whisper. Sam Powell and his wife, Lane Carter, write with humor and clarity.

Jahiel

Expert advice from an experienced equestrienne pack The Complete Idiot's Guide to Horseback Riding. Learn simple strategies for mastering basic riding skill, essential information on caring for horses, the differences between Western and English riding styles, caring for the saddle and much more! Rules of polo and polocrosse are also included.

Cummings/Deterding

An introduction to connected riding; this book could be the first step to dancing in perfect harmony with your horse. Based on biomechanics, Connected Riding teaches riders to synchronize their movements with those of their horses to create a partnership in riding. You'll learn how to influence the horse's movement through an elastic connection, allowing you to let go of compressive energy-draining techniques.

Mark Rashid

Coming from the horse's point of view, these entertaining stories are quiet, compassionate solutions to horse training problems with insights so simple they are startling. Readers will be amazed at the ways horses communicate with humans beings in this unique horse owner's guide.

Mary D. Midkiff

Do you want to ride for a lifetime? I certainly plan to! Watch for the new second edition of my book coming out this spring! I have been traveling the US giving seminars, workshops and demonstrations to horsewomen of every age and horse interest since 1992. It becomes more and more apparent as I meet and discuss common issues of concern with you that information and resources specific to the female equestrian must be a part of every rider's background and included in every lesson program and educational course. It is the basis for our safety, soundness and comfort to ride for a lifetime. And our horses are the ultimate beneficiary.

Wanless

Mary Wanless explains the "how" of riding, allowing the rider to understand and make use of the biomechanical principles that underpin good riding at every level. She explains that behind the art of riding lies a science, which has laws of cause and effect. Utilizing these laws turns the riderÕs body into a sophisticated tool for influencing the horse, allowing her to mimic the techniques that gifted riders unknowingly use.

Buck Brannaman

The groundwork information in this book will help to prepare you and your horse for situations that can unfortunately occur at the worst times. Having a foundation of trust and partnership on the ground first will carry over to your relationship in the saddle later on. There are many things that accidentally occur with a horse but if heÕs gentle and trusts you as a friend, then heÕll allow you to help him out of trouble, instead of seeing you as trouble.

Harris

Offers advice to horsemen who are concerned with helping the horse achieve the best movement it is capable of. Includes 300 drawings that demonstrate the kind of nuance and detail photographs do not permit. Topics include: basic structure and anatomy, the cycle of movement, gaits and transitions, balance and movement, poor movement, flexion, bending and lateral movement, conformation and movement, shoeing and movement, and how a rider affects movement.

Mairinger

Horses Are Made To Be Horses is both a testament to the life and ideals of the former Spanish Riding School instructor, Franz Mairinger and a tribute from his many pupils and associates. The book is based on notes from lectures and demonstrations given throughout Australia by Franz Mairinger and painstakingly assembled by his widow, Erna, friends, pupils, and followers of his teaching.

Every page communicates the presence and personality of the teacher as he instructs, persuades, argues, accuses, jokes, provokes, and draws analogies from many areas of human experience. In dispelling the myth of the whip-wielding dictator he creates the picture of a patient and caring horseman who regards discipline as the basis for social stability as well as the natural order. His profound understanding of the horse involves the belief in its true place and purpose in creation, as an animal whose energies and talents are best expressed by following the pattern of nature-never by invoking force.

This book is essential and wholly enjoyable reading for all serious riders who wish to compete in dressage, show jumping, or three-day eventing. The text emphasises a gradual progression from the basic philosophy and psychology of riding, to the simplest and eventually the most advanced movements, dressage, jumping, combined training, and judging. The carefully chosen illustrations reflect just as truly as his words, Franz Mairinger's quest for perfection in all aspects of horsemanship and his continuity with history's great masters of the art of riding.

Mark Rashid

In "Horses Never Lie," acclaimed horse trainer Mark Rashid breaks new ground by challenging the longstanding belief that a person must become the "alpa leader" in order to work with horses. Instead, "Horses Never Lie" teaches you how to become a "passive leader"—a reflection of the kind of horse other members of a herd choose to be around and to follow. It’s a must read for all horse owners who care about their horses and the kind of relationship they have with them.

As he did in "Considering the Horse" and "A Good Horse Is Never a Bad Color," Rashid writes about his experiences with real horses, always featuring his sense of humor and an overriding compassion for the horse. His instructive anecdotes reach back to when he was a youngster under the mentorship of the "old man," and continue to his experiences today as a horse trainer and a popular clinician who has traveled the world to teach his remarkably effective methods to enthusiastic horse owners.

Hassler

A very interesting book that really lets you get in tune with the reality of riding. It is not just a hobby, or sport it really can have an affect on you. This book shows you how to relax, be in tune with your horse, and it lets you understand that you and your horse do feed off eachother. If you are calm and relaxed, your horse will feel that and do the same. Recommended for any serious rider... with a lot of experience, or little. There is always something to learn and be aware of..

Tellington-Jones

These techniques are AMAZING! They go against most conventional methods, but what a way to empower not only the rider/handler/owner but also the horse. You don't need to read the book cover to cover in order to start the work. Some of it seems a bit odd at first, but they truly work. I tried some Touches a few years ago, on a whim, and THEY WORKED! Since then I have tried more and more. I even attended a seminar with Linda Tellington-Jones. "Let's Ride" is the best of all her horse books. It covers just about everything. It is written for kids, but it is just as valuable to handlers of all ages. This method of training and this book in particular is a must have for anyone dealing directly with horses...from the saddle or from the ground. Just have someone do the seemingly odd touches on one of your legs, and feel the difference.

Parelli

This book should be a required read for anyone who is interested in caring for horses to the best of their ability and look after their mind, as well as their body, whether they be horse owners, horse workers, equestrians, or just an occasional rider. A book full of 'true knowledge' which teaches what is required to gain 'the knack' or 'gift' with horses. Parelli, who is very experienced and knowledgable in the theory and practice of horse training, psychology and behaviour, gives us an understanding of how horses think and learn, so that we can learn to be more sympathetic, learning to do things with the horse, not to the horse, so that the horse can become a willing, safe, happy partner and enjoy your company too. Parelli stresses that since 99% of problems with horses are 'problem people' not 'problem horses' his book is really a people-training book. He has developed a step by step program that is easily followed, that enables anyone with a fair attitude and fee! ling towards the horse to acheive outstanding results with any horse.

Budd

For the horse/rider partnership to be successful, riders must know and understand why a horse responds as he does. The author draws upon her years of experience and that of top international riders for insight into the minds of the ÒnaturalÓ horse as it relates to training and riding.

The Faraway Horse: The Adventures and Wisdom of One of America's Most Renowned Horsemen

Brannaman/Reynolds

Nearly every week of the year, Buck Brannaman is on the road, conducting horsemanship clinics in which he teaches horse owners how to better understand and work with their animals, creating a relationship based on trust and respect rather than force. His methods are grounded in communicating with horses, on reading their body language and making them feel secure so horse and rider can achieve a true union. Buck's skill at starting young horses off right and reforming troubled horses has become legendary (indeed, the main character in the best-seller and movie The Horse Whisperer was based largely on him), and part of the reason is that he knows firsthand how a frightened horse feels. Growing up with an abusive father, Buck often feared he wouldn't live through the night. Rescued by a foster home, he found his calling - and salvation - in working with horses. In The Faraway Horses, Buck recounts his moving, inspiring, and often humorous adventures along the way. He writes of the horses he's learned from - including Bif, the dangerous outlaw who eventually became one of Buck's most trusted and useful mounts. He tells of the owners he's taught (from the good to the horrifying, such as the trainer who used abuse to make her show Arabians look "spirited"), and share stories of the horse-rider relationships he's changed. "These principles are really about life - about living your life so you're not at war with the horse, or with other people," Buck writes. At heart, this rich and rewarding autobiography is ultimately a prescription for living a positive and harmonious existence - whether it involves horses or not.

Wanless 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.

Hunt/Hunt

This book is designed to LEAD the "smart human" to the watering hole of knowledge. It's your choice whether to drink from the source. We as humans profess how superior we are because of our magnificent brain. All Mr. Hunt is doing is challenging us to use that brain and THINK and find these things for ourselves as this IS an art and to it we all bring our OWN persona. There is NO black and white rules that apply to all. Our teachers of our children in schools should be so brilliant, maybe we would have children that thought for themselves for once. I appreciate this man and his techniques, he has allowed me to be an artist with my horses and my horses will tell you out loud they love it.

Xenophon Press

Dorrance/Desmond

Expert horseman Bill Dorrance chose the name True Horsemanship Through Feel because feel is the language of horses. Learning that language can expand any horseman's knowledge and abilities - whether they are learning to rope, ride, or start horses. In language that is generously detailed and packed with meaning, Dorrance directs our attention to the many subtle things there are to notice about the ways that horses and humans operate. In these pages, he urges us to reach toward a deeper level of insight into horses and ourselves, as he ladles out a wealth of helpful information. With hundreds of illustrations, True Horsemanship Through Feel takes you step-by-step through the basic struggles that have characterized horse-human relations for centuries. Drawing on his years of experience, Bill Dorrance crafted a book that imparts the knowledge only previously available by word of mouth.

Tom Dorrance, Milly Porter

This is the man who started it all. Ray Hunt, Buck Brannaman and many others learned from Tom, the horse's lawyer, how to work with the horse and establish a relationship based on trust and respect. It is one book you'll need to read many times. As a teacher of horsemanship, I have read it at least 3 times and still get something new each time. Thank you, Tom for making it possible to help the horse in this way.

Cheryl Kimball

A collection of 365 quotes that provide daily inspiration for better communication with your horse presented in a perpetual calendar format.

Susanne von Dietze

The art of successful riding lies in the development of harmony to such a degree that, to the onlooker, horse and rider perform in total unity. The rider's key to this ideal is not a static seat, but one that is capable of making finely tuned movements with which to communicate and remain in perfect balance with the horse. Susanne von Dietze, a well-known physical therapist and riding instructor in her native Germany, has made a study of the complex physical relationship between horses and their riders. In Balance in Movement, she breaks new ground in helping riders to understand the anatomical requirements that are crucial for establishing the perfect seat. She explains how riders can control their movements effortlessly and exactly in order to achieve a uniquely efficient system for aiding and influencing the horse. Illustrated throughout with exceptionally helpful photos and drawings, Balance in Movement is an invaluable contribution to technical equestrian literature.

Perry Wood

Ever dreamed of getting great results with horses and wondered how? Real Riding offers exciting new ways to approach traditional horsemanship. The emphasis throughout is on employing empathy and understanding and looking at things from the horse's point of view. It sheds new light on common misconceptions, difficulties and contradictions, and the pages are loaded with exercises, simple tricks and things to do that really make a difference.

Michael Schaffer

When you see a horse under saddle that looks light, elegant, and graceful - as though he's having the best time of his lifeÑthat horse is moving in Òtrue balance. Right from the Start introduces trainers and riders to the fundamentals of training a horse to perform with these desirable qualities. Author Michael Schaffer offers clear instruction on his unique methods of starting young horses as well as re–schooling those that lack a good training foundation. Using techniques both on the ground and under saddle, Schaffer reveals the key to success - teaching the horse to soften and move into the rider's hand. Right from the Start offers training principles that produce happy, well–trained horses, enabling riders to succeed in any area of the sport they choose - dressage, jumping, reining, trail, or just riding for fun. Michael Schaffer has trained horses professionally for more than 25 years; he works out of New Start Farm in central New Jersey.

Mary Wanless

Learning to ride well is a mammoth taskÑfar larger than most riders realizeÑyet Mary Wanless believes that the essential skills of riding can be mastered by virtually every rider if given the right tools. Over 23 years, Wanless has made it her mission to reveal the secrets of talented riders and to break down the necessary skills into Òbite–size chunks.Ó This book sets out to simplify her methods and to provide a basic tool–kit for using the hands, legs, and body correctly. Best of all, she offers advice on how to make corrections when things donÕt go exactly as planned. In each section, the instruction is supported by practical self–tests and exercises to ensure success, and there are ideas for troubleshooting during the learning process and beyond. Mary Wanless is known throughout the world for her Ride With Your Mind method. Her previous titles include The Natural Rider, Ride With Your Mind, For the Good of the Horse, and For the Good of the Rider, plus eight videotapes. She teaches regularly in the United States, but makes her home in Oxon, England.