Centered Riding (A Trafalgar Square Farm Book) [Hardcover]

Sally Swift (Author), Jean MacFarland (Illustrator), Mike Noble (Photographer), Edward E. Emerson (Preface)

Book Description

Series: A Trafalgar Square Farm Book | Publication Date: January 15, 1985

Widely known for her innovative teaching philosophy stressing body awareness, the value of "soft eyes," proper breathing, centering, and balance, Sally Swift has been a pioneering riding instructor for half a century. In book form for the first time, her methods enable horse and rider to achieve harmony, working together naturally, without pain.

Unlike traditional teachers, Sally Swift does not believe in forced training techniques that cause stiff bodies and tense riding. Instead, through the use of vivid, unusual, and highly creative images that transcend mechanics ("Pretend you're a spruce tree; the roots grow down from your center as the trunk grows up"), plus a thorough knowledge of human and equine anatomy, this wise and inspiring teacher enables the conscientious equestrian to reassess habitual responses, in order to ride in natural positions, break through frustrating plateaus, and achieve ever-rising goals with comfort, vitality, and precision.

Precise illustrations and photographs never before used in riding books explain anatomy and image work to give mind and body new and relaxed approaches to the inner process of riding.

Centered Riding is for those with little experience all the way up to world class.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Even the best riders know what it's like to hit a learning plateau-- a time when, no matter how hard you work, you seem to get nowhere. Such interruptions in a rider's progress often stem from a false or imprecise understanding of what he or she is trying to do, or the lack of a key image that could put things together, working in synchrony. For the rider who needs either or both of these (and who does not, from time to time?), Sally Swift's Centered Riding will prove indispensable. Wonderfully explicit in explaining and showing what should work how, Centered Riding is also wonderfully imaginative in finding just the right psychological images to help go beyond the mere mechanics. A work of truly remarkable originality and ingenuity, it cannot fail to help many riders attain their present goals, and then move ahead to set higher ones."--William Steinkraus, Chairman, U.S. Equestrian Team, Inc., Olympic Gold Medalist, Show-jumping, 1968, Mexico City

"A truly unique horsewoman, Sally Swift has tremendous compassion for and understanding of equine and human athletes. Through her own experience as a rider and from her years of helping so many riders throughout the country, she has honed and refined her techniques. The result is an exciting, accurate, and delightful text that will offer readers a new dimension to riding and the teaching of riding.

"Riders of all disciplines and at all levels will find her techniques fun and easy, and will discover themselves capable of astonishing and exhilarating breakthroughs in performance. Riding instructors will find the text to be an invaluable tool in communicating many of the concepts that lie at the heart of good riding.

"Centered Riding is a book that will be read and reread for years to come, providing timeless counsel for horsemen and -women who seek to improve and refine their riding skills and their ability to communicate these skills to others."--Tad Coffin, Olympic Individual and Team Gold Medalist, Three-Day Event, 1976, Montreal

About the Author

Sally Swift lives in Brattleboro, Vermont. Born in 1913, she has been riding since she was eight years old.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 1st edition (January 15, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312127340
• ISBN-13: 978-0312127343
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 8.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (77 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,546 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #15 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Animal Care & Pets > Horses > Riding
  • #20 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Individual Sports > Horses > Equestrian

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a terrific book!, January 9, 2000

By 

Priscilla (Maine) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Centered Riding (A Trafalgar Square Farm Book) (Hardcover)

I'm getting back into riding after 30 years of an occasional trail ride, overweight and out of shape. My first few sessions were not so great, so the stable owner who is a centered riding certified instructor, gave me a few lessons on a longe line and bareback pad. What a difference! By studying the basics in Chapter 2, and focusing on how my body moves with the horse, I've become balanced and confident after just 3 hours of lessons. I'm not normally a fan of programs that use imaging to achieve results, but Ms. Swift appears to have hit on a method that puts me back in the saddle so both the horse and I are comfortable.

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Book I've Been Needing!, February 24, 2002

By 

citywulf (Atlanta, Georgia USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Centered Riding (A Trafalgar Square Farm Book) (Hardcover)

I have read book after book hoping to improve my riding. Some were too basic (Riding Essentials and Riding (by Decker) are great for beginners), others too obscure. Since my first time studying this book, my riding has improved immensely and the horses have been grateful! Visualization is so much easier than running thru a laundry list of cues. When I find my calves flailing at the canter, I just think of rooting like a tree and they become still. Examples like this abound, and my instructor has been very impressed as well. A great buy, and possibly the only book you need if your goal is just great daily riding, not to compete.

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for beginning or advanced riders., September 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Centered Riding (A Trafalgar Square Farm Book) (Hardcover)

As an adult just starting to ride, this book helped me to visualize how to balance and explained some useful riding techniques. It also made me aware of how a rider's body really affects her horse! Though sometimes difficult to do the exercises during a formal lesson, these techniques can be practiced and referred back to as I progress. Great pictures and instructor recommended.