Customer Reviews

The Basics of Western Riding

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

 

 

I loved this book! I have just bought my own quarter horse and read many interesting things in this book that helped gaining more knowledge about western riding, horses, tack and training. I think it is a very good book for people who are starting out with western riding and/or are thinking about buying their own horse.

For a book that is titled 'The Basics', there was way too much jargon with no explanation. For example, there is a paragraph that tell the reader to 'learn the difference between the two types of hands, the fixed and the following', but then there is no explanation of the differences or even what either means. It also references different parts of the horse without explanation, such as the 'withers'. I did finally find an appendix that explains some of the terms, but it is never referenced in the book, and it does not explain all of the terms.

. I have read this book with confounded astonishment!

The pictures are not descriptive of the material, even the breeds are not accurately drawn.

Pictures of horses being jerked around! Pictures of poor horsemanship! Pictures that are poor examples to new horse lovers.

Probably the worst horse book I have read. And I have over 1000 horse books. I bought the book at a second hand store, and I am glad I did because it keeps it out of the hands of an unsuspecting public.

I have never seen such misinformation, not even the lope leads are described in a comprehensible or correct manner.

They have a picture of a girl adjusting her stirrups without even holding the horse, an accident looking for a place to happen. You never do ANYTHING to a horse without having control of the animal.

If a new horse person went by the instructions in this book, they would be riding for a fall, which the author points out will probably happen. They even point this out more than once!

I was very disappointed.

It has a whole list of confirmation points and how they are supposed to be (and many are incorrect), but they do not have any place showing where these points are, and where the horse has some parts listed they are not all in the right place!

When a whole chapter is listed for trail riding competitions, these are advanced and for people with lots of experience, not a novice.

While mentioning risk as a common factor, this book adds to that risk by not showing safe ways to handle the horse.

I bought this book when I made the change to western riding and it gives a great over view of Western Riding from the tack to riding and horses. A great book for the beginner.