Synopses & Reviews
The Athletic Development of the Dressage Horse is the first book devoted entirely to classical manege exercises that are ridden to supple, strengthen and, when necessary, correct. Internationally known instructor, coach and judge Charles de Kunffy details a program of exercises that will enable horses at all levels of dressage and combined training to improve their performance as equine athletes. Unlike other dressage books that explain how to exercise a horse in order to ride a standardized test, this book explains how such exercises can and should be used to increase performance ability, suspension, collection and changes of gaits through true patterns and counter patterns that are accompanied by diagrams and demonstration photographs. Those who have attended Charles de Kunffy's clinics know that horses inevitably and rapidly improve under his guidance and that riders themselves improve as well. And those encountering him for the first time will experience in this, his third dressage book, what others already know: Here is a horseman of uncommon intelligence and wit who expresses himself clearly, simply and elegantly.
Synopsis
The Howell Equestrian Library is a distinguished collection of books on all aspects of horsemanship and horsemastership. The nearly fifty books in print offer readers in all disciplines and at all levels of competition sound instruction and guidance by some of the most celebrated riders, trainers, judges and veterinarians in the horse world today. Whether your interest is dressage, show jumping or Western riding, or whether it's breeding, grooming or health care, Howell has a book to answer your needs.
Get to know all the books in the Howell Equestrian Library: many are modern-day classics and have achieved the status of authoritative references in the estimation of those who ride, train and care for horses.
The Howell Equestrian Library
Synopsis
The Howell Equestrian Library is a distinguished collection of books on all aspects of horsemanship and horsemastership. The nearly fifty books in print offer readers in all disciplines and at all levels of competition sound instruction and guidance by some of the most celebrated riders, trainers, judges and veterinarians in the horse world today. Whether your interest is dressage, show jumping or Western riding, or whether it's breeding, grooming or health care, Howell has a book to answer your needs.
Get to know all the books in the Howell Equestrian Library: many are modern-day classics and have achieved the status of authoritative references in the estimation of those who ride, train and care for horses.
The Howell Equestrian Library
About the Author
About the Author Charles de Kunffy is known throughout the world as an author, lecturer, coach and judge (AHSA--I; FEI--C). From his home in California he travels to teach training courses for teachers and judges and also to give clinics in the United States and abroad. His two earlier books, Dressage Questions Answered and Creative Horsemanship, have been a mainstay of equestrian literature for more than a decade. Currently he is revising and updating them for another generation of readers.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments.
Preface.
Introduction.
One: The Relevance of Dressage Riding in Horsemanship.
Two: Training Strategies.
Three: Coordinate Systems for Upgrading Dressage Instruction.
Four: Training Traditions: Sharing the Arena.
Five: The Patterns of the Manege.
Six: Patterns as Training Strategies.
Seven: Longitudinal Exercises.
Eight: The Importance of the Circle.
Nine: Ways to Increase Suspension.
Ten: Lateral Bending on Two Tracks.
Eleven: Sophisticated Gymnastic Patterns.
Twelve: Suppling Patterns at the Trot.
Thirteen: The Horse at the Canter.
Fourteen: Canter Patterns for Gymnastic Advancement.
Fifteen: Patterns for Improving Flying Tempi Changes.
Index.