Customer Reviews (1)

Dressage Dictionary
I would most definetely recommend 'Dressage Explained' to any horse-loving learner.This practical horse guide explains clearly and thoroughly the meaning and use of dressage.Not only in an illustrated form does this book demonstrate different bits used in preliminary and novice tests, but 'Dressage Explained' also informs the reader about the incorrect form and how to correct it by posture, presence, your confidence, and how the slightest changes will make a noticeable difference.So to anyone who will ever encounter a preliminary exam for dressage I would highly recommend reading this explanatory, with extreme detail, book that was especially for learners like you.


~Ashley P.~ ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
Although written especially for young riders 10+ and up, this highly readable book will aid all riders with its clear, straightforward explanations of basic dressage.The no-nonsense text strips away much of the mystique and explains concepts in simple terms. Over 100 photos. ... Read more

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Olympic medalist Debbie McDonald and her fabulous partner, Brentina, have thrilled crowds the world over with their stunning performances.In her new book, Riding Through, Debbie describes her system for success in dressage and relates her life story:"There is more than one reason that I call this book Riding Through. Ofcourse, first and foremost, riding through is a dressage term, something youstrive for as you attempt to get your horse on the aids and movingback-to-front. You have achieved it when everything the two of you dotogether is one fluid motion, the ultimate of coordination and expression,in which the horse is maximizing his assets. It's all about harmony andcorrectness, summing up the meaning of dressage in a single short phrase.But "riding through" has other meanings for me as well. I've learned to ridethrough hard times, on and off a horse, when I thought about giving up. Weall have to learn about riding through, because that's the only way we willarrive at our destination, whatever it may be."Even if passage and piaffe aren't your ambition, or you don't want tocompete in dressage at any level, the good basic riding skills involved inlearning this discipline will help you in whatever you want to do withhorses--whether it's improving adjustability for jumping or just having a more pleasurable trail ride. And the challenges will keep you interested while you explore the very special connection that develops between human and horse when you're doing meaningful work together. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Good book
I really enjoyed how Debbie's autobiography is woven into the instructional info.Definitely not a book for novice riders though.Some of the later chapters were a real stretch for me to understand as I have only been on my dressage journey for about 2 years.

Great read!!!
This was a great read!The combination of anecdotal stories and instruction was wonderful.Fun AND learning ... what could be better!

Well written
Very well done, loved this book! She mixes her personal story in with "how to" type writing. Very informative. She is awesome. Great book.

Debbie McDonald Riding Through
If you are entering the Dressage world... this book is a "must read".She gives you tips to work towards and tips on things to avoid.The writing style is like a conversation with the reader.

Carla

Wonderful read
There are plenty of dry technical dressage books available and this is not one of them.I love reading biographies of top riders and was attracted to this book because it sounded more biographical in nature and was not disappointed.Debbie shares her journey into dressage and through her experiences competing in the World Equestrian Games and the Olympics.She speaks about her horses with compassion.As someone who has been involved with horses and dressage in particular for nearly 30 years, I like that there is emphasis on praising the horse when they do what we ask.The layout of the book, with the 'check boxes', the way sections are highlighted and the photographs make all the instructions easy to understand.She gives good advice about how to ride a test, and how to corrct training problems by sorting out the basics.Want to teach your horse to passage?She covers that too.I think the book would suit someone just starting in the sport, or someone looking to move up. ... Read more

Product Description
In Germany, this great book has gone through four very successful editions and it's now available in English! Aimed at intermediate and advanced riders, this book offers no shortcuts, but instead a systematic approach built on tried and true principles of training handed down through the ages. There are definitely no shortcuts offered here, but a systematic approach built on tried and true principles of training handed down through the ages. The author leads the reader progressively to the higher levels in a logical and often witty approach. Excellent line drawings clarify and enhance the text, making this one of the most readable books on dressage available. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Very complete; makes dressage training easy to understand
This book gives a very well organized presentation of how to progressively train a dressage horse. If you have ever wondered how a shoulder-in is different from a haunches-in and why we teach the shoulder-in first, thisis your book. Most chapters are organized by exercise, from the easiest(e.g. leg yield) to the most difficult (e.g. piaffe). The chapter on flyingchanges is especially informative, giving several methods for teaching thismovement to the horse and solutions to common problems. Many nice linedrawings support the text. This book is short and easy to understand. Itwould be an excellent reference for the serious dressage rider. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Breaking and Training the Stock Horse
This is an excellent book by a superb trainer. I took instruction from him in person before his death. Since that time, I lost my autographed copy, now that I am getting another horse, I would not think of using any other methods. Doc's methods are humane, the results are the best.

Excellant!
I love this book.I have read through it many times and would recomend this book to anyone who has horses.It teaches you how to train a green horse from square one.He teaches you how to lead your horse, how to do a high stepping trot, how to longe, how to do flying lead changes, and so on.Jam packed with lots of good information.

Breaking and Training the Stock Horse
This book was the most facinating book on training a horse I have ever read. Once you understand the process; put it to work; you will be amazed at how easy it is to train by this method.Uses all leg aids, body shifting, no pressure on mouth, no kicking or tugging.I have used it on a number of horses with great results. Horses learn with no stress. Be sure they know what you are asking of them before you go on to next levels. Wonderful basic training for either western or english riding - using snaffle or curb bit.It's the body language that works with horse and rider, not the equipment. I swear by Mr. Williamson's methods.Would work real well with Monty Roberts gentle approach to communicating with the horses' natural senses.

the only horse book needed
Having been a horse trainer and riding instructor for the past 20 years, this is the best book I have found to use for both new horse owners and riders. it should be a "have to" for all horse people.

It is the only book the horses have read, too.
When we started Greentree Ranch in 1962, a dear friend gave us a copy of this book. After reading and using the methods described herein we discovered how dear that friend really was. My mother always said, "It is the only book the horses have read, too." and she was right. Wehave used it as the basis of our training here on the ranch since we beganand will probably use it forever. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent Book!
Very clearly written and easy to read.The pictures and sketches are wonderful examples of the topic areas.I recommend this book to anyone wanting to enhance their Dressage journey.

Great Organization
The best thing about this book is the way it is organized! It is set up in progressing levels of difficulty and is pretty much a trouble shooting guide! You go to the Canter section and find the problem you're having and it gives you many good tips for fixing your problems!!! It is by no means a replacement for a trainer but a very close second! I consult it many times when my trainer isn't around! ... Read more

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Product Description
Text and graphic illustration of the American Horse Shows Assoc. 1999 dressage First Level Tests 1,2,3,4. Printed on heavy paper and plastic laminated for outdoor use. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Dressage Illustrated First Level
As the mother of a Dressage rider and Pony Clubber this book series has been one of the most usefull items we have found for learning not only the Dressage tests but also just what the judges are looking for.It allows me to understand what my daughter is looking for as I read the tests and she rides them.It is also helpful in allowing the rider to visualize the movement while memorizing each test.We always take our copys to the show and they are often borrowed by other riders. ... Read more

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Product Description
Combine Lisa Campbell's clear directions and photos with Diann Landau's illustrations and, well, anyone with a little ambition and a few good tools can build the projects within these pages. And if you're not up to the challenge, the plans can be handed over to a professionalor amateur carpenter who's not even a horse person---or to an enthusiastic spouse! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Excellent Plans & Descriptions
This book is wholly in black and white and a bit thinner than I expected - however after initial aesthetic disappointment, I realised I had a pot of gold in my hands. The book has excellent diagrams, plans, descriptions and easy step by step instructions on how to assemble jumps and also stable equipment (such as mounting blocks, saddle stands and cupboards which utilise horsey gear) and tells you what materials to the last detail you will need to complete the project.

It gives you a good level of comprehension of what to expect from building jumps - and if you can't do it yourself, they provide plans that an experienced carpenter can make for you. The diagrams have measurements along them - as well as quoting them in the instructions - so you just can't get them wrong if you follow them. Nothing is made more difficult than it has to. An excellent buy that everyone making jumps wants to consider - however if you particularly want coloured images, best to give this one a miss.

This is a Great Book
This is the book to buy....It is detailed but SIMPLE.Simple directions, shoping list for materials and it provides very good examples.You can't go wrong.When I started looking for books I bought several, too bad as this is the only one I needed and in fact is the only one I use.I looked at the other books for additional examples but relied on this books suggestions.Buy this one and forget the rest.....

Building horse stuff
I got this for my husband to build me a few things. There were more jumps in there than anything else but the saddle rack is good and the cavalettis. He liked the paper and the detail.

A FANTASTIC Easy Guide--Well Worth Your Purchase!!!
Gage Slade's review initially made me decide not to buy the Jumps, etc. book!Further insight changed my mind--and I'm glad!!!I advise all prospective buyers to ignore that cranky person's review and read on.Remember, this book has approx. 75 pages of information, so it's concentrated and doesn't waste your time.It is not an encyclopedia nor a college-level construction course.But in those pages are sketches with detailed measurements, shopping lists (another review falsely accused it of being vague with that!!!) and tool lists.It also gives great advice I would have never known.The jump section is fantastic and very detailed in its measurements of particularly-named wood pieces. We will be first-time jump makers and this book is just the helpful guide I wanted!!!The book has a small, detailed section on MEASURING and SETTING UP the LINES for a dressage arena which is very helpful.My club kids are starting to do dressage and this will help set something up quickly wherever we want.It will also help at the fair show that I help at when we set up the already-existing chain set. It understandably assumes you already have proper footing AND chosen arena fencing--just as the jump section assumes you have your choice of arena fencing.It DOES give good ideas on what they suggest for the dressage letters and dressage arena borders like chain or rails, and HOW TO place the stakes as well as measure the letter placement.But, good grief, its purpose is not to lecture on arena fencing (just like jump arena fencing is not).Once measured out, how hard is it to lay out chain...or lay out cinder blocks and boards ...or railroad ties?Choosing what arena border to have takes just a little simple homework:What do the big shows use? What is our budget?This will determine whether to buy the pricey mail-order sets or go down to the lumber store and buy the materials yourself.I suggest to the disgruntled buyer, Gage Slade, that they buy a book specifically on full construction of dressage arena FENCING because this book's title, JUMPS, etc., says what it is:mainly Jumps and some etc.Even so, each different jump, cavalletti, or wing standard gets about 1-2 pages each, so having 5 pages for setting up a dressage arena actually takes the majority!!! (btw: 9 pages were on stable equipment: Mounting Block, Sign Post, Saddle Stand/Storage Box, Portable Saddle Rack, and Grooming Box...also Jump Logos, Jump Image Painting).Buy The Book.It's Well Worth It :)

Great for ideas
Good visuals and details, especially when working with someone not familiar with jumps. Also includes constructing stable products, such as tack boxes, saddle racks, mounting blocks, etc.A few color photos would have enhanced the presentation. ... Read more

Product Description
This authoritative, yet accessible exploration of dressage training looks at how the similarities and differences of the various theories affect the sport as a whole.75 color illustrations. ... Read more

Product Description
We all know the dressage community could use a good dose of humor now and then, lest it become just plain too serious! Now here's a delightful book that meets that need, a humorous look at the sport, written by Brian McKeown, a.k.a. "Mr. Dressage Husband." This tongue-in-jowl examination of the sport of dressage includes the American Horse Publication's first place winner, "Confessions of a Dressage Husband," along with otherirreverent pieces such as "Advanced Clicker Training for Dressage Husbands," "Creative Manure Management," and "Passing the Time at a Dressage Show." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Enter at A Laughing
I enjoyed the book because sometimes as a Dressage Rider I just need a little humor to lighten things up a bit.Shipment was very fast and price was good.

Still Laughing!
This is simply a must-have for any English rider, dressage or not.It's a series of hilarious essays, so don't expect coherence or training advice.If you don't wind up laughing at yourself when you're finished, you really need a break from dressage!

The Other Side of Dressage
Brian writes what many dressage-husbands go through without public comment - the life behind women and their horses.He describes the simplest aspects (for example cleaning stalls) of having horses and asks himself penetrating and humorous questions.This book kept me laughing throughout and my horse-husband agreed with many of Brian's assessments.An easy and delightful read.

not funny
I have one word to describe this very un-funny book. "yawn"I gave it two stars because it was about dressage, but I've picked up funnier things from my horses stable bed. ... Read more

Product Description
In this wonderfully useful book, British Olympian and National Champion Carl Hester makes dressage training accessible to everyone. He shares step-by-step guides plus vital tips for improving the horse s gaits (or'paces,'as they say in England) and riding the full range of dressage movements.Down to Earth Dressage includes over 100 specially taken photos of Carl schooling his horses, from"babies"to grand prix. It is ideal for training all types of horses and for all levels of riders from novice to expert. There is truly a wealth of information jam-packed within these 112 pages which makes this book a real value for the money. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Approachable Dressage Training & Reference
There are a lot of dressage books on the market.Some are rich in classical history.Some are deeply throughful, even complicated, taking years to fully comprehend.And then there are the ones that dressage riders can pick up, read, and understand without heavy contemplation.

Carl Hester, a well loved and respected British Olympic Team dressage rider & coach, put pen to paper with consideration to his audience.This concise dressage book is highly readable, very easy to digest, and has great photos supporting the text.I especially like the format of this book.It is very easy to pick up and use a quick reference. ... Read more

Product Description
Never look a Gift Horse in the mouth. Carson Reynolds would dispute that statement. A gift horse got him into this mess in the first place. His mission: transform a run-down horse farm into the premium facility in the Pacific Northwest and a disorganized horse trainer with a penchant for self-sabotage into a winner. After six years, Samantha MacIntyre has returned to the scene of a horrific barn fire allegedly caused by her carelessness. She accepts the head trainer position at that run-down facility to prove her innocence and to ride the talented, temperamental horse Carson received as a birthday gift. But first, she must pass the test: compete the horse for one season, impress Carson, and best his sister's preferred trainer. As Sam and Carson get closer to the truth and mishaps escalate into serious accidents, and with the help of an opinionated equine, they face a surprising reality--that love is more important than ambition, money, orblue ribbons. ** Note: Some parts written in the horse's point of view. ** A Bookstrand Mainstream Romance ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Not even a beach read.
I've been enjoying reading authors who, like me, grew up with dog-eared copies of The Black Stallion and every other horse book available. Carolyn Banks and her hysterical mysteries, and Sara Gruen with her vivid and believable tales. So I decided to try this one and am glad it was cheap. First, the story takes place outside of Seattle in an area called 'The Eastside' by people who live here (as the main characters supposedly do). It's fairly obvious to me that the author has, at best, been to the Seattle area to ride the Ducks, but she is so lacking in knowledge about the area that it's painful to read. For example, Sam's family lives in Spokane; she lives in Western Washington and the family reunion is on the peninsula...that's a LONG drive for a family reunion. It would be a lot more believable if the family met at Chelan or even in Idaho. Someone familiar with the area would know that. The book lacks any real description of the setting other than those things everyone around the country knows--the Space Needle and Mt Rainier. Other than that, she may as well be writing about Oklahoma for how generalized she is.

Her character development is mainly to build up to sex scenes. Ass is a common adjective she uses. Tight ass, sweet ass, you get the idea. The horse action seems to just be there to fill out the panting love scenes--which are the best written parts of the book.

I think the author should focus on writing short sexy stories for racy magazines and leave the novels to the professionals. If you want a good story and good writing, check out the authors I mentioned. You won't be disappointed, unless you just want a Harlequin-quality read.

Loved the heroine, the hero, and especially Gabbie
What a great story. Ms. Davenport creates two very diverse characters and vividly shows how each influences the other as their relationship grows. The descriptions make me feel like I'm there. Add in the high stakes for both Samantha and Carson, and wow! I couldn't put it down.

One last note: I fell so in love with Gabbie. What a wonderfully, quirky character and my hat is off to Ms. Davenport for giving her a voice.

Thanks for a great read!

... Read more