The Ultimate Book Of Horse Bits

As even a quick glance around a saddler shop or through a tack store catalog will show, the world of horse bits is both enormous and mystifying. The primary means of communicating with and controlling a horse, Western and English bits come in a bewildering assortment of materials, sizes, and shapes. Their descriptions—full-cheek snaffle, hackamore, high port, French link, Tom Thumb, spade, KK Ultra—are no less puzzling, and with new bits and refinements being produced every year, even the most experienced horseman must struggle to keep up with the state of the art. The Ultimate Book of Horse Bits will answer all your questions on the subject . . . and then some. Not only does the author and horsewoman Emily Esterson go into detail about all kinds of equine mouthware and how each is constructed, but she also explains how and why each works in the context of what the rider wants the horse to accomplish. Does your horse have difficulty bending or flexing? Suggestions and solutions to these and myriad other horse-and-rider problems will be found throughout these authoritative yet user-friendly pages. Whether a novice or expert horseman, every rider, trainer, or owner in any equestrian discipline will benefit from this book’s wide-ranging and practical information for years to come.

As even a quick glance around a saddler shop or through a tack store catalog will show, the world of horse bits is both enormous and mystifying. The primary means of communicating with and controlling a horse, Western and English bits come in a bewildering assortment of materials, sizes, and shapes. Their descriptions—full-cheek snaffle, hackamore, high port, French link, Tom Thumb, spade, KK Ultra—are no less puzzling, and with new bits and refinements being produced every year, even the most experienced horseman must struggle to keep up with the state of the art. The Ultimate Book of Horse Bits will answer all your questions on the subject—and then some. Not only does the author and horsewoman Emily Esterson go into detail about all kinds of equine mouthware and how each is constructed, but she also explains how and why each works in the context of what the rider wants the horse to accomplish. Does your horse have difficulty bending or flexing? Suggestions and solutions to these and myriad other horse-and-rider problems will be found throughout these authoritative yet user-friendly pages. Whether a novice or expert horseman, every rider, trainer, or owner in any equestrian discipline will benefit from this book’s wide-ranging and practical information for years to come.

This fully comprehensive guide to bits and bitting covers all types of bits, their correct fitting and actions with sections on internal and external aids, assessing the structure of your horses head, and how to measure bits.

Illustrates the importance of mouth anatomy in bit selection, selection and use of various bitless bridles, and teaching a horse to accept a bit without fear or resistance.

Written and illustrated by Timmons, the award-winning artist from NBCUs "Caroline in the City, Hold Your Horses" is full of irresistible pleasure and unexpected horse sense. Full color.

This easy-to-understand guide shows how to overcome technical limitations and learn to see horses in a new light, fine-tuning observation skills, and discovering how to take best advantage of photo opportunities. Groves shows how to take portraits of people and horses together, and includes tips for taking cameras on the trail and adjusting shutter speed for such action events as jumping, reining, and barrel racing.

A collection of informative, irreverent, and hilarious columns from one of America's foremost wine critics. Connoisseurs, neophytes and beer-swillers alike will find themselves laughing, pondering, and armed with everything they need to impress friends, terrify enemies, and stop wine snobs in their tracks.

Breeders, trainers, owners, racers and veterinarians will find The UC Davis Book of Horses indispensable for helping them better understand equine health and behavior. Backed by the authority and experience of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine -- and featuring the most up-to-date research information available --it is a sophisticated source of medical information readers know they can trust. Chapters include everything on the selection, nutrition, anatomy, disease and emergency care of horses. Helpful appendixes, a glossary of equine and medical terms and an index for quick reference are also included, making this a particularly easy to use, and highly readable guide.