Customer Reviews

Everyday Training: Backyard Dressage

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4 star:		(1)
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Mary Twelveponies' book is a very practical,down-to-earth guide for those of us who want to enjoy our horses. This is not a guide to showing your horse,it is a guide for the average horse owner. It deals with problems we all encounter. Overall,I'd say I have thoroughly enjoyed this book. I bought it!

I have been recommending this book to people new to horses or who want to improve their riding and training ability for several years. Mary Twelveponies writes clearly and non-technically about riding and training your horse using dressage methods without scaring people into thinking they are going to getting in over their heads. She instructs the reader in how to be a better rider which in turn helps your horse become more responsive. She utilizes both western and english disciplines to show that anyone can accomplish the goals in this book. It was the beginning for me in learning how to train my horses. I am a strong believer in dressage as a foundation method of training a horse for any discpline you wish to pursue and Mary Twelveponies makes it easy to understand and incorporate. You and your horse will be happier!

Although the title would lead you to believe that this is a "easy goin"" type of book, this author has a grasp of Classical horsemanship methods. While the Masters books relay the same fundamentals, Marys presentation may let you see the Art of Riding in a less threatening light. Marys concern over how to use words to convey a skill based on "Feel" is especially appreciated, after all riding is really all about "feel" isn't it? She presents tools to convey this awareness, something that is not done as effectively in the older books. Her use of the "indirect rein" term is a bit out of sync with classical teaching, but all in all the title does not do the book justice.

I borrowed this book from the library, and am planning to buy a copy of my own. This is an excellent reference book to go back to for training, warming up, and building up your horse's athletic ability and responsiveness. Whether you are an experienced rider, or new to horses, Mary's style of writing is down to earth, and the exercises she gives are explained very well. She gives the reasoning behind the instruction.