Balanced Horse

This book is about developing that 'perfect understanding'. The aim of The Balanced Horse is to confirm in people's minds what they should be doing for each request, and what they must avoid.

Celebrating 15 years in print with thousands of happy horses and riders singing it's praises!When you see a horse under saddle that looks light, elegant, and graceful-as though he's having the best time of his life, that horse is moving in true balance. Going in true balance makes carrying a rider easier and more enjoyable, so he does it with ease, grace, and a pleasant attitude.There have always been a few horses that could carry riders this way, and there have always been certain riders that had just the right touch or feel to get almost any horse to go like this. Unfortunately, many horses do not. The problem is that many a horse has learned that he should allow himself to be ridden- have you sit on his back and tell him where to go-but he hasn't been shown how to be ridden, how to carry your weight in a balanced way that is physically comfortable for him. This horse is missing an important part of his training that you, the rider, must explain to him.Mike Schaffer's Right from the Start shares his knowledge of the fundamentals, as well as his unique way of starting horses, whether they are young and untrained, or older, and needing a new reschooling regimen. With work from the ground, as well as lessons on the horse, he reveals his training process. Using understandable aids, he teaches the horse to soften and move into the rider's hand. And, by controlling the horse's direction and angle, he teaches him to bend, control his speed, and balance his movement. Eventually, the end becomes the means, and what the horse has learned blends seamlessly into specific riding disciplines such as dressage, jumping, eventing, endurance, trail, and just plain riding for fun.

"Inspired by the time-honored traditions of the Classical World, Sylvia's desire to protect the horse is reflected in her training methods, which concentrate on a balanced seat and quiet aiding. She abhors the use of force and gadgetry in the schooling of horses and believes that classical riding is the best way forward for all the disciplines."--Page 4 of cover.

Widely known for her innovative teaching philosophy stressing body awareness, the value of "soft eyes," proper breathing, centering, and balance, Sally Swift has been a pioneering riding instructor for half a century. In book form for the first time, her methods enable horse and rider to achieve harmony, working together naturally, without pain. Unlike traditional teachers, Sally Swift does not believe in forced training techniques that cause stiff bodies and tense riding. Instead, through the use of vivid, unusual, and highly creative images that transcend mechanics ("Pretend you're a spruce tree; the roots grow down from your center as the trunk grows up"), plus a thorough knowledge of human and equine anatomy, this wise and inspiring teacher enables the conscientious equestrian to reassess habitual responses, in order to ride in natural positions, break through frustrating plateaus, and achieve ever-rising goals with comfort, vitality, and precision. Precise illustrations and photographs never before used in riding books explain anatomy and image work to give mind and body new and relaxed approaches to the inner process of riding. Centered Riding is for those with little experience all the way up to world class.

Get your horse in shape and maintain his overall fitness, regardless of his age or abilities. Equine Fitness will have your horse looking and feeling his best with a series of fun exercise routines specifically designed to enhance his strength, stamina, and agility. Clear step-by-step instructions and detailed illustrations make the exercises easy to follow, and the book includes a handy set of pocket-sized cards that you can use in the ring. Jec Ballou’s simple conditioning program promises lasting results for healthy horses and satisfied riders.

100 percent ability is in your hands! Conformation Balancing is deceptively simple. With patient, conscientious placement of your hands on specific areas of the horse’s body, you can bring about profound change in his physical and mental well-being. The secret? The internet-like web of fascia beneath the skin. Fascia is the connective tissue that “holds everything together”—it wraps around, attaches, and stabilizes muscles and internal organs, communicating with all parts while providing structure and organization. But here’s the thing: Fascia is also a reservoir for emotional trauma and tension. This means that when you help a horse find physical release in a “stuck” area of strain or stiffness, you invite psychological healing as well.

Based on decades of practical experience, as well as classic horsemanship theory, this book will teach anyone (from novices to experienced riders) the essentials of a horse's structure, natural balance and way of moving. Horses may be born to move but not all move equally well, and how a horse moves has an impact on how you ride. With over 300 colour drawings, Susan Harris illustrates exactly how horses move, and common movement problems, how a rider in the saddle can affect movement and can help anyone to become a more accomplished rider (and helps the horse's health). All horses - whether a dressage horse or a hunter - have the same anatomy, locomotion and nature. Understanding horse movement makes training, and riding, simpler and less frustrating for both horse and rider, as well as helping the health of the horse. Horse Gaits is an exhaustive guide to: - How balance and conformation affect movement - Flexion, bending and lateral movements - The impact of shoeing and riding on movement - Practical tips to improve your horse's movement

In today's society, is it indeed possible for riders in any horse sport to put the good of the horse first and foremost?

Collection is one of the most misunderstood concepts in Western and English riding. Everyone wants it, but few people know how to get it. World-class rider, trainer, and clinician Lynn Palm now offers the one and only book that explains away the mysteries of collection while telling you exactly how to attain it. With 40 years experience riding and training champion all-around performance horses, and a background in dressage, Lynn has perfected an easy-to-use system of exercises that gradually collect any type of horse, regardless of his build, and that are of particular value to stock horse breeds such as Quarter Horses, Paints, and Appaloosas. Lynn begins on the ground with in-hand exercises—free lungeing, ground-driving, and lungeing-and-bitting—to gain the horse's trust and improve his responses to cues and commands. She then explains how you start in the saddle with simple transitions—such as halt-walk-halt—and gradually progress through stages that include more difficult transitions between gaits and markers; lengthening and shortening of stride; yielding on diagonal, straight, and curving lines; turns on the forehand and haunches; shoulder-in and shoulder-fore; haunches-in and haunches-out; half-pass; and simple and flying lead changes. Learning how to bring your horse into true collection helps you improve his performance; create a more willing equine partner; extend his physical and mental longevity; and enjoy riding him even more than you already do.