Customer Reviews

Dressage Formula

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book lives by my bed and I will soon have to buy another copy because there is no more room for marginal notes, comments, etc. If I could only recommend one book about riding this would be it. There is beautiful writing here about the goals, aims and principles of classical riding, but even more helpful to the rider are the detailed chapters on the basics. Ever wondered why those great classical riders make it all look so effortless, while everyone else is huffing and puffing and fighting with their horses? Everyone talks about how important basics are and how riders spend too little time mastering them before trying to do "the movements," but most dressage books spend perhaps a few pages on position and aids and then jump right into shoulder-in and it's off to the races. Herbermann puts his money where his mouth is and actually devotes an entire book to explaining all the tiny details that go into creating the basic foundation for classical, harmonious riding. Basics, basics, basics! Chapters on the seat and position, the aids, and the signs of correct and incorrect work. If you want to get away from "band-aid" riding --riding from correction to correction-- and find a guide into the realm of correct, harmonious, classical work, this book is the place to start. This is one of the most uncompromising -- and inspiring -- discussions of the principles of classical riding you will ever read.

The amount of elaboration in this book about the true basics of classical riding makes it by far one of the best available dressage books on the market. The 'basics' does not make this book for amateurs, because even some advanced riders have not had the basics cleared. I was inspired by Herbermann's respect for the horse and his approach on making training more pleasurable for horses. His simple and clear instuction on the essence of classical riding makes it within reach of every rider. The first part of the book focuses on the rider's position and aids. Later on, collection and advanced work is described in detail. He doesn't get into very advanced stages though...flying changes, canter pirouettes, piaffe, passage, etc., are not covered. The book is about getting the basics right.

The title of the book very much explains what it is about - the formula that will help you reach new heights with your horse. I recommend this book to every rider willing to give their horse more comfort and joy in dressage.

This book is a fantastic practical guide for classical riders! Eric Herbermann is a long-time student of Egon von Neindorff, widely regarded as one of the great living classical masters. I have never ridden at von Neindorff's Reitinstitut, but my understanding from those who have is that Herbermann's book (approved by von Neindorff) reflects Reitinstitut teachings very closely.

Straightforward, well-illustrated outline format sections on the seat, the aids, and correct basic work give wonderfully clear guidance to riders, while prose chapters on the philosophy and aims of classical horsemanship emphasize the spiritual values on which the art form is based. The section on the "most common position corrections" should be prominently posted in every dressage arena!

This book concentrates on the stuff too few people talk about -- the years of work toward gaining a correct seat that must precede any truly classical riding, and the rewards along the way of watching your horses become happy and beautiful. Focus is on improving the average horse and working on correct basics, not movements. This is a great contrast from all the competition oriented books that focus on teaching movements to the superhorse and rider, without talking enough about the development of the basic work.

Cannot praise this book highly enough. It is a practical bible for any classical rider.

Having recently started instructing a few people, I find that I'm reaching for this book to find new and better ways to explain basic concepts of seat and hands and position. The book is well written without being wordy, the explanations are clear and precise and I particularly like the point form format that it takes. its a very easy read without being condescending or complicated. I highly recommend this book to all horsemen and women, even if you are not interested in dressage. I found it refreshing that he illustrates various points on three different horses, none of which (by his own admission) are particularly ideally suited for dressage. this brings it down to the 'common mans' level, showing how you don't have to have a grand prix trained, expensive, high bred horse in order to achieve the same results. Definitely recommend this to anyone.

Herr Herbermann has a wonderful attitude about horses, riding, and dressage: he has the utmost respect for the horse, and believes that dressage is nothing more than a way to make any horse healthier and happier. He stresses the importance of correct work from the beginning, without which the horse and rider cannot truly advance through the levels. The use of "short cuts" such as draw reins, martingales and big spurs ultimately turn out not to be short cuts at all. And riders must strive to be correct and consistent in their position, application of the aids, and sensitivity to the horse's mental state.

I have mixed feelings about the style of the book, however. While its "outline" format, complete with numbered sections for easy cross-referencing, certainly presents the information in a straightforward and logical way, the extensive use of footnotes to clarify many points makes it more difficult to read -- I often ended up losing my place in the text after reading the footnotes.

In general, though, this is my favorite book on dressage to date. I am recommending this to everyone I know who is interested in dressage, or just in the basic principles of good riding and horsemanship in general.

Note that this book is not really a "how to ride dressage" text, in that it does not explain, for example, the correct aids for every movement. However, it does have something for everyone, from beginners to advanced riders.

Erik Herbermann has managed to do something very rare: he has written a book geared toward those at the lower levels of dressage (though advanced riders will doubtless find it equally helpful) that explores not only the basic concepts of seat, position, the exercises, and the aids, but also insists upon the horse's well-being. Herbermann's writing glows with love for this most noble of creatures, and his book teaches one not only dressage, but ART.

Its technical side is equally good, with a very in-depth discussion of that most important of movements, the shoulder-in. I would recommend it to anybody who rides and loves horses.

This is an absolute masterpiece. Beautifully written ideas that inspire new insight into the ways of the the great masters of classical equitation. There is alot of info here in very few words. It may take some time to soak up what Erik has to say but it's well worth it.

I have read at least 30 Dressage specific books and this one is my favorite. It is written with the most regard for the horse and in terms very easy to understand. It is also in a format that is easy to reference over and over.

Definitely my most recommmended horse training book. The audio version is also a really "nice to have."

This book is an extraordinary guide to dressage. We can see the benefits of dressage on ordinary horses and how to achieve beauty and harmony with any horse.

Dressage Formula, by Erik F. Herbermann, is a great book about a rider's position and the connection with her horse.

This book contains great pictures and exercises that you can do on or off your horse. It also teaches you the right amount of contact to have and how to use your aids. All together with the aids, exercises, contact, leg yield, half pass, and shoulder in, this book teaches you how to correctly hold yourself with the right position, natural contact, and leg position while maintaining the horse's natural feel and response. This book has taught me a lot and has truly helped me to improve my riding skills.

This book should be read by anyone 13 or older because at times it was difficult to understand the terminology. Recommended by a professional Dressage Rider, and recommended by me.

Kristen N.
Grade 6
Ms. Kawatachi