Synopses & Reviews
The average rider doesn’t have Olympic aspirations and a $10,000 horse. Most riders just want to learn as much as they can about horses, to ride as well as possible, and to enjoy the companionship of their equine partners. Many riders, however, feel frustrated with their lack of progress, struggle with uncomfortable tack or painful joints, or find themselves losing confidence after a frightening experience.
In her informal yet informative style, clinician and equine behavior expert Jessica Jahiel addresses numerous rider concerns, from head (properly fitting a helmet) to toe (breaking in a pair of stiff new boots) and everything inbetween (those aching knees). Following the successful question-and-answer format of The Horse Behavior Problem Solver, she presents real life situations and addresses them in comprehensive detail, offering proven solutions to common problems.
Starting from the ground up, Jahiel covers technical issues in Part I: Mount Up and Ride, addressing questions about mounting and dismounting, position in the saddle, and jumping and trail riding. Part II covers physical and emotional issues, ranging from finding the right size horse to facing fears to seeing things from the horse’s point of view. A third section on tack and clothing includes a variety of topics, from holding the reins correctly to using a whip to making saddles more comfortable. Finally, in Part IV: Getting Better all the Time, Jahiel discusses finding (and working with) a good instructor, attending clinics, preparing for shows, and understanding what the judges might be thinking.
The problems presented in this book will be familiar to riders of all levels of experience and in all styles of riding. Jahiel’s detailed advice encourages riders to relax and enjoy their relationship with the horse, to always keep learning, and above all, to put the horse first.
Synopsis
From the best way to break in a pair of stiff new boots to mastering a difficult jumping routine, Jessica Jahiel addresses hundreds of common problems facing amateur horse-riders. Offering helpful tips and plenty of encouragement, this comprehensive guide covers a wide range of riding concerns that include both physical (painful joints) and psychological (fear of accidents) issues. Jahiel s informal yet informative approach will not only help you overcome nagging riding obstacles, but inspire you to enjoy your riding experience to its fullest.
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Synopsis
In her informal yet informative style, clinician and equine behavior expert Jessica Jahiel provides solutions to all of the problems that riders can encounter. She presents real life situations and addresses them in comprehensive detail, covering everything from
Synopsis
"How can I improve when I only have time to ride once or twice a week?"
Synopsis
In her informal yet informative style, clinician and equine behavior expert Jessica Jahiel provides solutions to all of the problems that riders can encounter. She presents real life situations and addresses them in comprehensive detail, covering everything from
About the Author
Jessica Jahiel is an internationally renowned lecturer, clinician, and award-winning author who answers equine-related questions in her online newsletter, Horse-Sense. She also responds to questions about horse behavior, riding matters, and anything else readers want to discuss in Horse & Rider, Equus, and Dressage Today, as well as in her best-selling books The Horse Behavior Problem Solver and The Rider's Problem Solver. Jahiel lives in Illinois.
Table of Contents
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Foreword by Sally Swift
Preface
Part I: Mount Up and Ride
1 Getting On and Off
I'm Uncomfortable Mounting from the Ground * My Horse Won't Stand Still for Mounting * Holding the Reins and Saddle while Mounting * Dismounting: Should I Jump Off or Slide Off? * Emergency Dismounts
2 Staying On: What's Your Position?
Rider Leg Position * What Is Correct Knee Position? * Rider's Tight Upper Body * I Lean Sideways, and My Horse Does Too
3 At the Walk
How Should I Move My Arms at the Walk? * Soft Hands at the Walk * Young Horse Won't Walk, He Jogs * Lengthening a Short Walk Stride * My Horse Anticipates Walk-Trot Transitions
4 At the Trot
Help! Can't Master Posting Trot! * How Do I Learn Diagonals? * I Can't Sit the Trot * Please Provide Sitting Trot Image * First Lengthenings at Trot and Canter * What Is Correct Trot Lengthening? * Trot Lengthening or Medium Trot?
5 At the Canter
Canter Phobia * My Horse Won't Canter * Problems with Right Lead * Smooth Canter Depart * Rider's Leg Swinging at Canter * Better Canter for Rider and Horse
6 About Jumping
Explain Crest Releases, Please * I Can't "See My Distance" * Losing Stirrups over Jumps * Learning to "Fold" over Jumps * Hunt Seat Compared to Cross-Country Position * Strong Legs for Cross-Country Jumping?
7 On the Trail
Trail Riding in Balance * Galloping on Trail Ride * Riding Down Hills * Essential Equine Trail Skills
Part II: Physical and Emotional Issues
8 Figuring Out Horse and Rider Size
Is This Horse Too Small for Me? * "Outgrowing" a Horse * Finding the Right Size Horse * Horse-to-Rider Size * Can My Horse Carry My Weight? * How Heavy Is Too Heavy to Ride?
9 When Your Body Doesn't Cooperate
Painful Ankles * Sore Knees * Collapsing Chest * Swinging Legs and Stirrups * Strengthening Rider's Legs * Why Don't My Toes Point Forward? * Bracing in the Saddle * Too Much Ballet Turnout on Horseback * Rider with Painful Stitch * Riding with a Bad Back
10 Facing Fear
Afraid to Ride * Afraid of Horses * Help, I am a "Fraidy Cat"! * Rider Confidence Loss -- Whose Fault? * Dealing with Loss of Confidence * Restoring Rider Confidence
11 Helping Your Horse with