Training The Sport Horse

The director of the riding program at Sweet Briar College for more than 30 years, Cronin is a well-known and highly respected trainer and riding instructor. Here he presents a clear and practical guide to getting the most out of a horse in a humane and sensitive way.

"[This book] .. covers all areas from 'nursery school' to more advanced work, competition riding and problem solving. the rider's initial role is to establish his own posture and balance and to learn to communicate with the horse through body language and position, using the language of touch initially to educate and then to support. There is an explanation of the horse's biomechanics - how it carries and uses itself so that the rider an understand how to improve his horse's self-carriage and also to recognize his horse's strengths and weaknesses"-- Book jacket.

With special focus on conscientious pacing when building the horse's physical capability over time, diversification of schooling practices, detail-oriented management and care, and putting the horse's needs above competitive ambition, readers are given a solid grasp of what it takes to truly reach the pinnacle of equestrian sport--and remain there--on a consistent basis.

Jane Savoie shows how basic dressage techniques can be used to improve every horse's athleticism and performance, no matter what the rider's chosen sport.

Ground training is the key to a safe and pleasurable riding experience. Designed for easy reference while working with your horse, this guide can be hung on a post. Riders of all disciplines and skill levels will benefit from these exercises that reinforce good habits and help develop a strong bond between horse and rider.

Showing how to maximize performance in horses, The Athletic Horse: Principles and Practice of Equine Sports Medicine, 2nd Edition describes sports training regimens and how to reduce musculoskeletal injuries. Practical coverage addresses the anatomical and physiological basis of equine exercise and performance, centering on evaluation, imaging, pharmacology, and training recommendations for sports such as racing and show jumping. Now in full color, this edition includes new rehabilitation techniques, the latest imaging techniques, and the best methods for equine transportation. Written by expert educators Dr. David Hodgson, Dr. Catherine McGowan, and Dr. Kenneth McKeever, with a panel of highly qualified contributing authors. Expert international contributors provide cutting-edge equine information from the top countries in performance-horse research: the U.S., Australia, U.K., South Africa, and Canada. The latest nutritional guidelines maximize the performance of the equine athlete. Extensive reference lists at the end of each chapter provide up-to-date resources for further research and study. NEW full-color photographs depict external clinical signs, allowing more accurate clinical recognition. NEW and improved imaging techniques maximize your ability to assess equine performance. UPDATED drug information is presented as it applies to treatment and to new regulations for drug use in the equine athlete. NEW advances in methods of transporting equine athletes ensure that the amount of stress on the athlete is kept to a minimum. NEW rehabilitation techniques help to prepare the equine athlete for a return to the job. Two NEW authors, Dr. Catherine McGowan and Dr. Kenneth McKeever, are highly recognized experts in the field.

Finally, a comprehensive collection of world-renowned equine expert Linda Tellington-Jones' healing equine bodywork and training exercises, for use both on the ground and in the saddle. In one fabulously illustrated book, those new to Linda's approach are provided with a clear, step-by-step introduction to the Tellington Method, while those familiar with her work finally have the ultimate go-to reference. The book is divided into three parts. Part One briefly explains the background of the Tellington Method and then discusses the reasons for unwanted behavior and poor attitude in horses. Part Two, arranged alphabetically, contains a compendium of 72 common behavioral, training and health issues, many of which horse people face on a daily basis. In this A to Z format, from Aggressive to Other Horses to Weaving, Linda discusses the possible reasons for these behaviors or problems and offers conventional methods of solving these challenges, as well as training solutions using the Tellington Method. Part Three presents—for the first time in one volume—the complete body of work that makes up the Tellington Method: the Tellington TTouches, Ground Exercises, and Ridden Work. At the end of this section, there is also a detailed case study, which includes 49 photographs showing every step along the way to successfully teaching your horse to load.