The Elements of Dressage: A Guide to Training the Young Horse [Hardcover]

Kurd Albrecht von Ziegner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2002

Everything you need to know to train a horse for dressage or high-level competition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I recommend this volume for all equestrians. Whether you ride dressage, event, or show jump, this volume can be used as a training tool." --Horsemen's Yankee Pedlar

"This in-depth and intelligent volume is a great guide to the basic training of all horses, not just dressage horses. The author's ideas were accessible and easy to follow. I recommend this volume for all equestrians."--Horsemen's Yankee Pedlar

From the Back Cover

Drawing on centuries of European practice, The Elements of Dressage will help any reader perfect the union between horse and rider. Dressage has been around since the time of the ancient Greeks, but reached its heights in Europe, and particularly in Germany. The German approach is now the preferred method in most countries, and the author has been teaching it for more than fifty years.There are ten principal elements in the German method, and they include: relaxation, regularity, freedom, contact, straightness, and Durchlassigkeit.Both beginning and advanced trainers and riders will learn why the ten elements exist, how to develop them in a horse, and even when not to use them. Starting with the basics, and moving on towards the most subtle aspects, The Elements of Dressage is the complete guide to the art of training and riding a horse. (7 x 9 3/4, 128 pages, diagrams)Kurd Albrecht von Ziegner has operated an internationally renowned riding school in Mechtersen, Germany, south of Hamburg, since 1971. Trained as an officer in the cavalry school in Hannover, he became a leading NATO officer in the 1950s and took over, among other things, the construction of the Turkish cavalry school in Ankara. He is also one of the most prominent and successful dressage trainers in the United States, where he developed a new judging system, the Prix St. James. Winner of the German Rider Cross in Gold, the author shares insights from more than fifty years of training. He is also the author of many articles and books, including The Basics: A Guideline for Successful Training.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Lyons Press; 1st edition (December 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585747351
• ISBN-13: 978-1585747351
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 6.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #49,145 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #19 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Animals > Horses
  • #40 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Animal Care & Pets > Horses > Riding
  • #44 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Individual Sports > Horses > Equestrian

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You should read the Master's book, February 19, 2005

By 

J. A. Adkisson "professor/rider/trainer" (College Station, TX) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Elements of Dressage: A Guide to Training the Young Horse (Hardcover)

Col. v. Ziegner is so personally modest that few may appreciate the role he played in developing the classic German Scales of Training following WWII. The Elements of Dressage shows an uncommon perspective and wisdom that can only spring from a lifetime of advocating for the horse. After riding 1000 horses, v. Ziegner has given us a clear plan of training for the young horse that updates traditional principles and makes them more accessible. The scales of training are expanded and slightly reordered to help riders achieve a more reliable result and to preserve the charm and health of the horse. Each element or characteristic that needs to be developed has its own section, with useful "how-to" exercises and diagrams. This book will help you, whether you are starting a young horse or perfecting an FEI horse, whether you are a dressage "newbie", a jumper rider, or an experienced trainer.

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delight and enlightening for any dressagerider, March 9, 2004

By 

Kim Paulin (Flyinge, Sweden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Elements of Dressage: A Guide to Training the Young Horse (Hardcover)

This is without a doubt the best dressagebook I have ever read. It is very well written pedagic and the total design of the book is fantastic. This book is not as pricy as a lot of others containing lots of beautiful photo, but it will give you so much more. Everything comes clear, my trainer was a bit surprised to see my ridning change so drastic after reading this book. I have a lot of dressage books but none makes sense as this one.

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book for every horse rider, April 26, 2005

By 

DressageDreamer (Victoria, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Elements of Dressage: A Guide to Training the Young Horse (Hardcover)

Although this book is entitled "The Elements of Dressage" Col. von Ziegner really presents the elements of basic training of any horse! His version of the training scale is much easier to understand and follow than the German approved version (even though he helped develop the German version, he told me that many years of training has made him develop this newer scale). As a result of reading this book I went and rode with him in Germany ... an amazing experience seeing what I had read in his book being put into practice. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to ride dressage or to school a horse calmly and logically. In comparison to other dressage books I found this one a bit easier to understand and to apply to my riding.