Dressage in Lightness: Speaking the Horse's Language [Hardcover]

Sylvia Loch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 11, 2000

As an encore to her popular "The Classical Rider," Loch has now written a book that focuses attention on an equal relationship between horse and rider, exploring riding from both the rider's "and" the horse's point of view.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

150 color photos, 50 color artworks.

About the Author

Sylvia Loch's previous books include The Classical Rider, Dressage: The Art of Classical Riding, and The Royal Horses of Europe.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 280 pages
• Publisher: Trafalgar Square Publishing (January 11, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570761833
• ISBN-13: 978-1570761836
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,130,607 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Makes you think about what you are doing as a rider., February 12, 2005

By 

J. Skaife (Lafayette, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dressage in Lightness: Speaking the Horse's Language (Hardcover)

I've had this book for over a year and I didn't pick it out to read until recently. I had been focused on books directed at training young horses and I thought this book would be better suited for a future stage when my mare had at least mastered the basics under saddle. Boy, do I wish I had started this book sooner!
I found this book to be the perfect companion book to others I have on starting young horses. Primarily because it makes you think about what you, as a rider, are doing. It is all too easy to focus on the young horse, instead of yourself. But if you have picked up bad habits along the way, you'll be hindering your progress and frustrating your horse.
What I like most about this book, is that it gives you the horses perspective, how he feels about each movement and how you deliver the aids. It encourages you to breakdown each movement and think about what you are doing as a rider - are you asking correctly and using the aids effectively.
The first few chapters (literally the first half of the book) are excellent for training a young horse, or re-schooling an older one. The subsequent chapters build up through the levels, from Training Level to Grand Prix. I know this book will be well used.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All my dressage friends agree...it's our bible!, November 20, 2001

By 

"evasandor" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dressage in Lightness: Speaking the Horse's Language (Hardcover)

An excellent reference, a fascinating read! This book goes beyond the usual "this leg goes here, this hand goes there". Instead, it invites us to feel for ourselves, from the horse's perspective, what it is we are telling him with our bodies.

Everything written here is clear, sensible and truly Classical in its obvious respect and love for the horse. It is also deeply inspirational, inviting us to ride as artists.

My friends and I have been using the methods outlined in this book, and I am happy to report that they are very effective.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutly Remarkable!!, March 26, 2001

By 

Cathy Dunn Godin (Red Bank, New Brunswick Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dressage in Lightness: Speaking the Horse's Language (Hardcover)

Sylvia Loch's "Dressage in Lightness" Speaking the horses language, is a Masterpiece!

Sylvia's knowledge & experience are reflected in every chapter, of this most educational and enjoyable book. She is so logical in her theory and teachings, that everything works so well when applied, making your work, and your horses, extremely pleasurable! She teaches how to listen to your horse, feel his every movement, move with him to make him more comfortable.

Ample illustrations and pictures of several magnificent horses, showing their progress from Basic level to Piaffe...

A "Master of Dressage", Sylvia Loch, will amaze you with her brilliant way of teaching "Dressage in Lightness"