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.
|
The Rider's Problem
Solver
by Jessica Jahiel
Storey Publishing,
2006
Order
a copy |
