Customer Reviews

Horse Training In-Hand: A Modern Guide to Working from the Ground: Long Lines, Long and Short Reins, Work on the Longe

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I ordered this book LAST year, and waited and waited for it to be published, hoping the wait would not be for naught. It was worth the wait!! The book is laid out systematically and its steps are easy to follow. The training techniques of the author are classical and oriented around what is best for the horse. She emphasizes the use of position and body language as primary aids, and her means of correction are not aggressive but kind and tactful. Rather than punishing the horse for a mistake, she offers the horse a way to redirect its energy, and advises going back a few steps to make the troublesome maneuver easier for the horse to understand. Many of her comments on carrying out movements classically sound just like the natural horsemanship trainers I know, which makes sense because both schools of horse handling have the same basis: the horse's well being.

I have been buying books on in-hand work with horses for several years, and this is the best of all of them! The author explains in-hand training so well, and makes it sound so "do-able" that I want to start doing at least one day a week of in-hand training for my horses. The lessons described in the book will be invaluable for my Lusitano filly, who is being started now. Having her learn the lateral moves shown in the book--in text and in wonderful photos--will be the perfect way to teach her without any weight on her back. None of the other books made me want to add in-hand work to my regular schooling schedules. If you like in-hand work, and know of its importance, this is a book to have in your equine library. The years of schooling the author has done with the European masters of in-hand work, like Bent Branderup, shine in her book. I can't say enough about it!

This is a large book on a small and complex subject. I have read other similarly titled books that are available and came away uninspired. However, after reading this one, I put it in a class of its own. This author, Schuthof-Lesmeisters is a Master of of In-hand work, and her dedication and expertise shows as she clearly guides you through every aspect of this underutilized art. She makes a conscious effort to describe the concepts and execution with clarity so the reader can follow. What makes this book really work though is the writer, Mistral. While other books describe what CAN be done, the collaboration of these two talents actually tell you HOW to do it. More importantly, Mistral has presented Schuthof-Lesmeister work in an outline form that is eminenetly readable. The concepts flow from one aspect to another without bringing it so much direction as to make it confusing. I have been working with my horses In-Hand for several years, and even with all the instruction I have received I still was enlightened by this book. I couldn't wait to try some of their methods, and using the easy to follow format I achieved never seen before results. I want to obtain a stronger in-hand Piaffe with my Stallion and I am certain that in time, with the help of this book, I will be able to do so. If you are considering purchasing a book on In-hand training, this is the guide you should buy first. If you already own one, you will be amazed at how much new material this author brings to the table.

To start with, I bought this book with the intention of learning double-longing or long-reining or long-lining as some people call it. I wanted an easy step-by-step way to encourage my horse to use his back without rushing him and getting him to think about what he was doing. I haven't had a chance to read through the WHOLE book, as I've read only so far as up to the long-lining section, but I have flicked through the rest and feel I can offer people a review that will make up their minds whether this book is for them.

So, for starters this book is wonderful because I feel it is very classical and modern at the same time, and gets the horse working with you as opposed to just popping him in side-reins and getting him going. It starts from the very first stages of introducing your horse to lunging and all the gear that goes with it, it offers training ideas and beautiful big color pictures that demonstrate the text. It is quite text-heavy - in saying that, they only say what is necessary, not any waffle that you wouldn't need to read, and they carefully explain how to go about each step thoughtfully and offer any suggestions if your horse has any aversions to certain steps.

This is a book for those wishing to go on a journey with your horse, taking it slow and easy, for people who understand that it just doesn't happen overnight, or even within a couple of weeks. For people wanting a quick fix or something to immediately make a difference, this book isn't for you. I enjoy seeing the 'before' and 'after' pictures of showing a horse working 'wrong' and then the horse working correctly, and how it offers suggestions to fix the problems. For those who are serious, it is worth reading every word of this book, I suggest sitting in bed with it the night before and taking it with you the next day to see your horse so that you can remind yourself to not get frustrated and take it one step at a time.

I have found it invaluable in teaching my horse to double-longe, he has now calmly and happily accepted the lines going behind his hind quarters and has started engaging his back muscles. We still have a way to go, but in the same air as this book - calm, dedicated, consistent and gentle - I am sure that our partnership will grow to be a better one.

On one last note, it is my opinion that ground work is absolutely essential to creating a lasting bond and relationship with your horse that starts at ground level and carries on in the saddle. You'll have a happier, more trusting and content horse if you do the hard yards on the ground first :o) I hope this book helps others the same way it has helped me.

I have never written a review before but was so thrilled with this book that I wanted to share my excitment! We have been showing horses for over 30 years - all of our horses we have bought as yearlings or two year olds and all we have trained by using in-hand work on the ground. This book is so perfectly organised!!! Every element of in-hand training is discussed in such a way that the beginner or novice will understand and the veteran will not be insulted - rather enlightened with even more techiques and methods. This book is a must in every horse person's library!!!!

It is no mistake that this book has been included by Amazon in a package with works on the in-hand by Masters Dietz and Karl. Coming from a German-Classical background, I have had the pleasure of studying both of those works, as well as seeing the in-hand work practiced by German, French, and Portuguese trainers and from those experiences, practiced on my own on my Spanish Andalusian horses. The nuances of this form of training are incredible and other books on the subject often assume several basic understandings in the reader that end up missing, perhaps due to language/translation, but also due to assumptions about the equestrian background. This book fills these gaps clearly, with excellent pictures and illustrations, making very clear each step necessary to accomplish along the way. It should not be mistaken for a beginner's primer, however. It moves clearly and concisely all the way through piaffe, with a particularly helpful section on renvers/travers. I love how each section is marked out in steps to be taken. The trouble-shooting sections are one of the few that have actually included the problems I have encountered, and even included suggestions that worked! The icing on the cake is the improvement under saddle from the very first day. In all, I can't recommend this book highly enough to any rider who wants better communication and understanding between herself and her horse.

Ellen Schuthof-Lesmeister and Kip Mistrals' book "Horse Training In -Hand" is one of the finest works on this subject that I have read. The format,photographs and the text are clear,concise and informative. Having been schooled in the Art of working horses in hand by some of the most talented trainers in Dressage in this country and abroad , I find this book a necessary training text. I have recommended it to all of my students. It is invaluable to anyone wanting to explore this almost lost art. The difficulty of working horses in hand is made much more accesible to anyone wanting to learn this Art by reading "Horse Training In-Hand". Keep this book in your stable,arena or on your bedside table as a reference manual. You will be enthralled by all that you can do with your horse when not mounted. All horses need to understand what you want from them without the added disturbance of their equilibrium with the added weight of the rider. Enjoy!

This book is really well written and easy to follow, with the photos and illustrations to explain each movement. I made a notebook with worksheets to take with me to the arena, using the step by step detailed descriptions of each lesson, and it worked great! Even my trainer commented on how my horse was much lighter and more responsive after applying the techniques in the book. Recommended for anyone just starting to longe/long line their own horse, or if you have a horse that can't be ridden, these are great, low-impact exercises.

This is another very good book on work in-hand and the short lines. This type of work establishes a close relationship between trainer and horse, and I wish more than just the "dressage people" would consider doing it!! It's very satisfying work, and this book adds to that.

I was looking for a how to book as I don't have a trainer to work with and wanted to learn how to train in hand. I could have used more information about why and more on the how. I often had trouble following the instructions. It is a good supplement but you will need additional resources.

Well written, straight forward, helpful photography...we felt this book was worth the money for anyone interested in moving beyond longeing in the same old circle.