Synopses & Reviews
Perhaps the common thread between the many equestrian disciplines is the riders desire to have a happy” horseone that is sound and willing and generally cooperative under saddle. It is this that can transform the equestrian experience from frustrating to satisfying, from unsafe to secure, and from merely mundane to utterly sublime.
Sadly, there are many horses out there that are not happy,” and they express their discomfort and/or discontent in a variety of troublesome ways. These are the common problems riders at all levels deal with on a regular basis, such as bucking, rearing, bolting, pulling, grinding teeth, refusing fences, and running out, to name only a very few!
The good news is, many times these behaviors have their root in poor riding and training. How is this a good thing? It means that in most cases, an honest self-assessment of your riding skill set, a list of achievable goals to improve your position and aiding, and a broadened repertoire of solid schooling exercises can give you all the tools you need to fix” the problem you may be experiencing now, and those you may face in the future.
Doug Payne has made a name for himself in equestrian circles as the go-to guy” when it comes to finding a way forward with problem horses.” Now hes sharing his tips and techniques for solving some of the most common contact issues, unruly outbursts, and jumping problems riders experience. Inside youll find causes for problem behaviorfrom physical issues to holes” in the horses educationas well as dozens of safe and professionally tested solutions and step-by-step exercises.
Throughout, unbelievably detailed photo series provide micro-moments in the saddle, enabling you to observe the minute changes in your seat and your aids that can ultimately lead to major changes in your horses behavior.
"There are a lot of great answers to tough training questions here.” -Five-Time Olympian Anne Kursinski
Doug Payne is well known as the competitor, judge, and trainer to turn towhether your goal is to develop your talented young horse into an international star or you are simply trying to remedy a complicated behavioral problem. Doug is a USEF Judge and Technical Delegate and a USEA ICP Certified Instructor. He might be best known in the discipline of eventing, where he has won countless national and international competitions, from Beginner Novice through Advanced. He has successfully competed through the FEI CCI**** level and for the US at the Boekelo CCI*** Nations Cup. Since 2010, Doug has been listed with multiple horses on the USEF High Performance List.
Doug has also had international success in dressage, competing through FEI Intermediaire I and earning multiple regional year-end awards at the FEI levels. In addition, he has ridden multiple horses from the lowest levels through Grand Prix in the show jumping ring.
Review
“There are a lot of great answers to tough training questions here.”—Five-Time Olympian Anne Kursinski
“The reality of riding is that someday, one day, you’ll have a horse that stumps you—he won’t go forward; won’t accept contact; or he rears, bucks, spins, or ducks out. When that day comes, you’ll want Doug’s advice on hand. … It will save you time and money, and it may help you see that your ‘problem horse’ isn’t a ‘problem’ at all—just a challenge worth meeting.”—FEI “O” Dressage Judge Linda Zang
Review
There are a lot of great answers to tough training questions here.”Five-Time Olympian Anne Kursinski
The reality of riding is that someday, one day, youll have a horse that stumps youhe wont go forward; wont accept contact; or he rears, bucks, spins, or ducks out. When that day comes, youll want Dougs advice on hand.
It will save you time and money, and it may help you see that your problem horse isnt a problem at alljust a challenge worth meeting.”FEI O” Dressage Judge Linda Zang
Paynes advice and solutions show an honest, thoughtful horseman who always looks for the good in any horse but doesnt shy away from a serious problem child. If youve ever come across an issue with a horse young or old, experienced or not, youre sure to find an answer in The Riding Horse Repair Manual.”The Chronicle of the Horse
Paynes background as a Rochester Institute of Technology mechanical engineering graduate is evident in [this] well-organized volume, which states problems, offers a variety of pinpoint solutions, and gives riders an opportunity for applying self-examination to themselves and their mounts.”Newark Star-Ledger
“Overall, The Riding Horse Repair Manual is a great read, and a handy tool to have in your training arsenal. … Doug does a wonderful job speaking objectively about the varying problems that can arise when dealing with horses, and helping riders work through them correctly.”—Eventing Nation Book Club
Synopsis
Contending that nearly all horse behavior problems result from incorrect or inconsistent training, this work highlights the potential behind the worlds promising equine model citizens and partners. The guide emphasizes systematic reconditioning while encouraging patience and proper skills in riders, providing a comprehensive plan for addressing issues such as bucking, bolting, rearing, spooking, lack of confidence, jumping issues, and more. Featuring a clear, accessible outline, this is the definitive solution to implementing consistent training methods, allowing riders to take full advantage of their horses unrealized abilities. Suggestions for starting young horses, detailed case studies, and strategies for future success are also included.
Synopsis
There are many horses out there that express discomfort and/or discontent in a variety of troublesome ways. These are the common problems riders at all levels deal with on a regular basis, such as bucking, rearing, bolting, pulling, grinding teeth, refusing fences, and running out, to name only a very few!
The good news is, many times these behaviors have their root in poor riding and training. How is this a good thing? It means that in most cases, an honest self-assessment of your riding skill set, a list of achievable goals to improve your position and aiding, and a broadened repertoire of solid schooling exercises can give you all the tools you need to “fix” the problem you may be experiencing now, and those you may face in the future.
Doug Payne has made a name for himself in equestrian circles as the “go-to guy” when it comes to finding a way forward with “problem horses.” Now he’s sharing his tips and techniques for solving some of the most common contact issues, unruly outbursts, and jumping problems riders experience. In THE RIDING HORSE REPAIR MANUAL you’ll find causes for problem behavior—from physical issues to “holes” in the horse’s education—as well as dozens of safe and professionally tested solutions and step-by-step exercises.
Throughout, unbelievably detailed photo series provide micro-moments in the saddle, enabling you to observe the minute changes in your seat and your aids that can ultimately lead to major changes in your horse’s behavior.
About the Author
Doug Payne is well known as the competitor, judge, and trainer to turn to—whether your goal is to develop your talented young horse into an international star or you are simply trying to remedy a complicated behavioral problem. Doug is a USEF Judge and Technical Delegate and a USEA ICP Certified Instructor. He might be best known in the discipline of eventing, where he has won countless national and international competitions, from Beginner Novice through Advanced. He has successfully competed through the FEI CCI**** level and for the US at the Boekelo CCI*** Nations Cup. Since 2010, Doug has been listed with multiple horses on the USEF High Performance List.
Doug has also had international success in dressage, competing through FEI Intermediaire I and earning multiple regional year-end awards at the FEI levels. In addition, he has ridden multiple horses from the lowest levels through Grand Prix in the show jumping ring.
Doug is regularly featured in top equestrian publications, including Practical Horseman, US Eventing Magazine, The Chronicle of the Horse, Eventing Nation, and New Jersey Countryside. He also produced the acclaimed instructional DVD The Rider’s Eye with renowned eventer and horseman Jim Wofford.
You can find out more about Doug at dpequestrian.com.
Table of Contents
Foreword by Linda Zang vii
Foreword by Anne Kursinski viii
PART 1: Getting Started 1
Introduction 3
One: A Strategy for Avoiding Behavior Problems 13
Lay a Solid Foundation 16
Two: How to Start a Young Horse: A Brief Guide 19
A Training Timeline 21
Three: Training Step by Step: Work on the Ground 27
In-Hand Training Methods 27
Four: Training Step by Step: Ridden Work 39
Mounting 39
Summary: Building Blocks 45
Five: Behavior Problems: A General Assessment 47
Physical Issues 47
Educational Issues 49
PART 2: Let the Games Begin 57
Six: Before You Begin: Horse and Rider Self-Examination” 59
Evaluating the Horse 60
Evaluating the Rider 61
The Common Problems Most Riders Can Solve 64
Section I: Contact Issues 65
First Rule Out: Physical Causes 66
Grabbing the Reins 68
Head-Tilting 72
Grinding Teeth 74
Tongue Issues 75
Crossing the Jaw and Grabbing the Bit to Bolt 80
Strong Horses or Pullers” 86
Section II: Unruly Outbursts 91
Rearing 91
Bucking 99
Bolting 110
Spooking 112
Barn Sour”/Nappy/Drops the Shoulder 116
Unclear Transition with Unexpected Results 119
The Stubborn Freeze” 122
Nervous and Anxious 124
The Horse That Lacks Confidence 128
The Bully 130
Section III: Jumping Problems 133
General Jumping Philosophy 133
Running Out 135
Drifting 140
Stopping/Refusing 148
Rushing the Fence 169
Bonus Section: The Pace of the Canter: How to Jump Different Types of Fences 172
PART 3: How It Can Work for You, How It Has Worked for Me 185
Seven: Strategies for Future Success 187
Minimize Your Training Aids 187
Applying My Philosophy to Other Problems 188
When and How to Raise Your Expectations 189
Conclusion 191
Eight: Real Case Studies: Horses I Have Ridden 193
The Alchemyst 194
Crown Talisman 198
Courage 202
Running Order 204
Acknowledgments 211
Index 213