Getting the Most from Riding Lessons (Horse-Wise Guide) [Paperback]

Mike Smith (Author)

Book Description

Series: Horse-Wise Guide | Publication Date: January 11, 1998

This reassuring introduction to riding helps novice riders maximize the lesson experience with information about safety, horse behavior, basic riding exercises, and preparing for that first show. This companion guide will help readers feel confident and at ease with a qualified instructor, and help them hone their skills outside

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Whoa! Don't get on a horse until you read this book.

Boost your self-confidence and get the most for your money with this one-of-a-kind companion guide to riding lessons.

Getting the Most from Riding Lessons gives you all the information you need to communicate effectively with your instructor and advance your riding skills outside of lesson time. Following the easy, step-by-step instructions, you'll learn how to:

-- Warm up and condition key riding muscles

-- Brush up the basics

-- Perfect the use of the aids

-- Improve control and coordination

-- Master diagonals, evasions, and collection

-- Advance to jumping and showing

About the Author

Author Mike Smith has extensive experience with horses, for he has been teaching riding for over 25 years, owns two horse centers and 50 percent interest in a third. He has a master's degree from the British Horse Society, and holds an Instructors Certification from the Potomac Horse Center in Maryland. Mike rides and trains to the 4th level in Dressage, and has trained and competed with A-Level hunters and jumpers. He has a rigorous training program for the instructors employed at his stables, and he is responsible for the instruction of 1,000 students. Mike's book, Getting the Most from Riding Lessons, is a popular Storey title. He resides in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC (January 11, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158017082X
• ISBN-13: 978-1580170826
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #169,971 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 74 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every new (or returning) English rider should read this book, January 7, 2000

By 

Artsy bookwoman (FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Getting the Most from Riding Lessons (Horse-Wise Guide) (Paperback)

and here is why! When I took lessons as a kid, I frequently didn't understand what the instructor was trying to get me to do. I faked my way through the extended trot for years without ever really knowing what it really meant (other than just "faster"). If I had had this book then, that wouldn't have happened. As a returning adult rider I do ask my instructor questions, but sometimes we learn so much in a lesson that I can't remember everything afterwards. This book clearly lays out exactly what all those aids were that I did in my lesson, so I can visualize them more clearly. The author also provides very realistic "what if this happens" situations with answers, which are very reassuring. He also tells you what to do if this doesn't work, and what to do next. His school horse portrayals are very accurate to the types of horses a novice rider will encounter, and helps one understand that while no horse is perfect, every one of them will contribute to one's becoming a better horseman. This book is very similar to the Cliffs Notes for riding lessons. Although not a substitute for qualified instruction (and it isn't trying to be either) the wealth of knowledge contained in it will enhance and reinforce all the things you will learn at the barn. Super!

43 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unfortunately, more praise., June 28, 2002

By 

"themjb" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Getting the Most from Riding Lessons (Horse-Wise Guide) (Paperback)

Generally, I don't take the time to add a review on [...] if mine is merely a repeat of what others have written. In this case it is warranted. As (yet another) adult novice, I quickly found that riding is far more art than science, given the variables involving rider and horse AND instructor. What I found is that riding is a very complex art whose complexity becomes apparent only as one (hopefully) progresses in skill. Having waited a year before writing this review, I now feel competent to write a review about a book intending to assist fledgling riders figure out what they are doing, what the instructor is doing, and how they can improve. That is the market for which this book was intended. That is the intention in which the book succeeds and deserves the five-star rating. Having said that, here are the caveats.

As one becomes serious about riding, one finds that the communication relationships (horse, rider, instructor) are what keep riding instructors employed. You will continue to find that there are differences between what your instructor tells you, what you are feeling while on the horse, and what Mike Smith (the author) writes. For example, take the canter depart--making a transition into the canter gait.

A particular horse is going to respond differently to the various aids (signals) one uses--right leg, left leg, right rein, left rein, and your seat and torso. Mike--correctly I think--has to simplify that for novices. He writes, "5. Squeeze with your outside leg." This, to him, is the "signal" to the horse to start the canter. In fact, one can discover that three out of seven "experts" agree with him. Four out of seven write that it is the inside (driving) leg that is the signal. MOST importantly, the rider will find that horses differ in their opinions. What is the fledgling rider to do?

Buy and read this book. Try to listen to your instructor while you are struggling to learn. Periodically, re-read this book. (I made the mistake of confusing the trot depart and the canter depart in my fourth week of training--a wild riding experience both the horse and I will never forget!) As you progess, get another book, so you can begin to compare and appreciate the subtleties of riding. I guarantee that you will begin to figure out what Mike is saying when, for example, he says "When you can distinguish these differences in how your hips move, you're starting to learn to really feel the horse--a definite indication of YOUR progress." (My emphasis.)

Finally, don't fall into an early trap of riding the same horse every week ("Charlie is sooo nice.")or failing to occasionally compare your instructor with another (Every instructor has their personal riding vocabulary with which they communicate; sometimes, a different phrase will produce an "Aha!". The more horses with whom you try to communicate, the more proficient you will become.

Good riding.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Info, Well-Written, Fun!, October 29, 2004

By 

S. Wussow (WI, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Getting the Most from Riding Lessons (Horse-Wise Guide) (Paperback)

I have learned more truly useful information from just the first five pages than I did from all my riding lessons as a child!

This book has given me the confidence I was seeking to begin lessons again as an adult. I really do feel better prepared to advance quickly due to the wealth of info presented.

The book is well-written and easy-to-understand, but at the same time it provides interesting, in-depth, helpful information - things many teachers and students might not consider, but which are vitally important to a sound rider-horse relationship.

A *great* complement to lessons - and probably enough information to learn on your own if you so desired. It will help you to ask good questions of your instructor, and to think for yourself about what methods are right for you and your horse. A great reminder for those comments your instructor makes which you don't think about until after you're back home again (because you're too tired in the saddle to focus!)

The horse profiles are great. :-) The author's sense of humor is refreshing. His writing style makes you want to keep turning the pages, but you'll want to take things slowly to absorb all the great theory a little at a time. Good illustrations and pictures.

Well worth the cost! Should be in every riding student's library, whether that rider is a child or an adult, novice or experienced equestrian. There's something to learn from this, no matter what level you're at. Can't say enough good things about it.