How Your Horse Wants You to Ride: Starting Out, Starting Over

by Gincy Self Bucklin

Overview

Learn to ride correctly, safely, and confidently

In this breakthrough guide, renowned riding expert Gincy Self Bucklin offers adult riders a unique, proven method for developing a good physical, mental, and emotional relationship with a horse. Whether you're a beginner, a more experienced rider looking to enhance your skills, or someone who used to ride but is reluctant to try again, Bucklin's step-by-step exercises-slowly and carefully practiced first on the ground and then on your horse-will have you riding with confidence and without fear. You'll build a safe and caring partnership with your horse as you:
* Understand how your actions affect your horse
* Improve your form, release tensions, and find balance
* Communicate with your horse to gain his trust
* Stay in charge without being controlling
* Observe your horse's responses and learn from them
* Increase your horse's comfort-both physically and psychologically


"If you' ve ever said to yourself, 'Why can' t I . . . ?,' you' ll find the answer here to why you can' t, and exactly how to solve the problem. Whatever your level, you'll gain greater understanding and become a better rider and horseman from reading this book."
-George H. Morris, internationally renowned clinician, USEF Show Jumping vice-president, ARIA master instructor, and member of the U. S. Equestrian Federation Board of Directors

"How Your Horse Wants You To Ride is chock full of innovative and practical tools presented in a thoroughly entertaining style. A delightful read for riders at all levels!"
-Jane Savoie, olympic alternate and author of That Winning Feeling!, Cross Train Your Horse, More Cross Training, and It's Not Just About the Ribbons

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781630264871
Publisher:	TURNER PUB CO
Publication date:	10/01/2004
Pages:	432
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

GINCY SELF BUCKLIN, the daughter of well-known horsewoman and equestrian author Margaret Cabell Self, has sixty plus years of riding, training, and teaching experience. She is certified as an Expert Instructor by the American Riding Instructor's Association. Bucklin is also the author of What Your Horse Wants You to Know (Wiley).

Table of Contents

	Acknowledgments	xi
	Introduction	xiii
	How It All Began: 30 Years of Revelations
Part I	Getting Started or Starting Over: Success Is Easier Than You Think	1
1	Looking into Your Future: A Confident Rider on a Confident Horse	3
2	Building the Foundation: The Seven Steps, Part One	17
3	Meeting and Greeting: Good First Impressions Create a Positive Relationship	29
4	Grooming, Tack, and Tacking: Talking to Your Horse in Different Ways	47
5	Leading: Be in Charge without Being Controlling	79
6	Mounting and Dismounting: Riding Confidence Starts Here	95
Part II	Riding without Fear: Bareback or without Stirrups	127
7	Sitting on the Horse: The Seven Steps, Part Two	129
8	Communicating Considerately: The Stick, the Seat, the Center, the Weight, and the Eyes	157
9	Free at Last!: Riding without Reins, Sitting the Trot without Stirrups	183
10	Handling the Reins: Goofproof Your Moves	197
Part III	Riding without Fear: Back in the Saddle and Using the Stirrups	211
11	Settling into the Saddle: Adjust to the Difference	213
12	Solving the Stirrup Problem: The Seven Seats, Part One: Full Seat	223
13	Solving the Balance Problem: The Seven Seats, Part Two: Half Seat	243
14	Posting the Trot: Perfection Is Perfectly Possible	271
15	Cantering Basics: Just in Case	285
Part IV	Helping Your Horse Do What You Want: The Leg and Rein Aids	295
16	Using Your Legs: No Strength Required!	297
17	Understanding the Rein Connection: Use Your Hands Effectively	305
18	Overcoming Rein Resistance: Simple Hand and Rein Effects That Work	327
19	Putting the Aids to Work: Go, Turn, Stop, and Back	353
	Conclusion: Build Self-Confidence in Yourself and Your Horse: Be the Perfect Student	379
	Appendices
Appendix A	Making and Fitting a Neck Strap	383
Appendix B	Plateaus: Charting Your Progress	387
Appendix C	The Flowchart: Where Can You Go from Here?	391
Appendix D	Resources	395
	Index	399