Customer Reviews

Basic Training of the Young Horse

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Klimke clearly and logically lays out the foundations of basic training. The information is easy to read, concise and shows a deep understanding and respect of the horse. There is much more packed between the covers than I expected. An excellent, excellent read for anyone who works with horses.

This compact, informative and economical guide to starting young horses provides an excellent overview of training the young horse, from early ground work to starting over fences. Although the book is dated, the German scale of basic training principles is timeless and very much en vogue in the dressage community today. Based on sound principles and written by an accomplished horseman, this is one to read.
UPDATE - A year since my original review this has been the book I refer back to most of all, I think because of the handy size. Therefore, this book is well worth the money!!!

This book does a great job of explaining and outlining the early training of the dressage horse, from ground training to work under saddle. I have used it as a reference for several articles I have written on dressage theory.

This book, written by the late olympic dressage champion Reiner Klimke, is surely a standard reference. The English translation by Sigrid Young might be a little bit awkward at times (very noticable for a German native who owns the original, too), but the spirit and straightforwardness of Klimke's approach for the basic training of a dressage horse still comes across.

Klimke writes in a simple, direct manner and he is absolutely correct in his instructions. Everyone who wants to be a good horseperson should read and study this book.

I am starting a young horse and I found the book straightforward and well illustrated. My youngster is already at the point of being under saddle but this book will be a very good reference as we progress in training.

No one can deny that Klimke was an incredible rider and trainer. The book reflects his experience and opinions about dealing with young horses. He encourages a careful and practiceds application of the aids in order to develop suppleness, throughness, and impulsion. while the book does a good job in describing the "ideal" I was hoping for more "how-to" logistics. The section on longeing does that in discussing the best equipment, how to attach side reins correctly, etc., but the remainder of the book is less "applied" and more "theoretical."

I have to say that I also object to other assumptions in the book about the general horse-owning population. For instance, Klimke says that in the first week at the barn, he only allows the grooms to handle the newly arrived horse and he is careful not to have any interaction during that time. Okkkkkkkk....

Despite some rather elitist assumptions, it's a good reference book for reading about how training for young horses should proceed--but it's short on practicalities and does not offer a very precise training program.

I thoguht this book was great because it is small and easy to carry to the barn. The pictures help you remember what you read in a "jiffy". Some of the information seems old and maybe a litle out of date but overall I think its a book thats good for anyone with a horse in training.

While Klimke lays the basic foundation of dressage training, he speaks from a perspective that is far removed from most American dressage lovers. Most don't have full time grooms and the ability to turn their horses out to pasture in the summer.