Building Blocks of Training: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Gymnastic Development of the Equine Athlete [Hardcover]

Debby Lush (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2008

The first step to successful riding is developing a harmonious, two-way bond between horse and rider. This step-by-step guide, firmly rooted in classical training, explains how to gymnasticize a horse, achieve two-way communication, and prescribe troubleshooting solutions for bumps along the way.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'An immensely helpful book offering both practical solutions to problems occurring in dressage and a good understanding of the training principles of the classical tradition. This is an essential reference book to which every rider can return again and again.' -- Charles de Kunffy, author of Dressage Principles Illuminated"

About the Author

Debby Lush is a freelance trainer and dressage judge, based in West Sussex, England.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: J. A. Allen (May 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0851319327
• ISBN-13: 978-0851319322
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,843,768 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Top Uk judge, Grand Prix Dressage rider and obsessive horse lover. I want your horse to enjoy riding as much as you do.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars TOP NOTCH BOOK - FANTASTIC, February 26, 2011

By 

Pegasus (Albany, Western Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Building Blocks of Training: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Gymnastic Development of the Equine Athlete (Hardcover)

Building Blocks of Training: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Gymnastic Development of the Equine Athlete

This book is absolutely marevllous. From it I have learned things that have passed me by with other instructors over the years - in other words - these instructors have not explained things very clearly at all. They could yell out things like "slow-down" but not how to slow down, or "make sure you halt square" but not how to achieve this; or maybe even "use more half-halts" but never how to. This book reveals all and easily.

This book can be dipped into as a reference source or read from cover to cover. If you are experiencing a certain riding problem, you will be sure to find it here. The answer will be in a clear and succint form, with details of how to ride a particular 'item' e.g.(getting your horse to chew down, flex and lower) instructions will be given in an easy-to-remember block, and they will be clearly defined in a step-by-step manner, which will enable you to go out and ride that movement correctly and what's more have success with it.

During the descriptions of 'how-to' the book also gives references back to other 'items' which may pop up, another example of which would be "go into a regular rhythm trot" then you can check up that you are doing that correctly also. The cross-referencing makes it so easy that if you have any doubts at all about something, you can immediately clarify it.

In all a "must-have, top-of-your-wish-list-book" for riders and horses in all disciplines, it is a 'most-wanted' without all the too-lengthy too-technical, 'forgot what I was reading about' stuff.
EXCELLENT 10/10 5*