The Less-Than-Perfect Rider: Overcoming Common Riding Problems [Hardcover]

Lesley Bayley (Author), Caroline Davis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 1994

Sound riding instructions as well as a program of exercises that will improve a rider's confidence and ability and make riding the pleasure it was meant to be.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Riding is a demanding and at times frustrating sport. Every rider encounters problems and experiences feelings of inadequacy, whether attempting to master a particular dressage movement or summoning up the courage to jump a difficult course. All riders, from novices to top competitors, often permit their physical or emotional shortcomings to overwhelm them. Consequently, in The Less-Than-Perfect Rider Lesley Bayley and Caroline Davis focus on the topics that, in their experience, are of the greatest concern to riders:

• how to communicate with the horse
• how to improve mental attitudes
• body shape and how it affects riding
• the importance of visualization in correcting faults

Bayley and Davis offer sound riding instruction as well as a program of exercises that will improve a rider's confidence and ability. Once shortcomings—real or imagined—are understood and addressed, riding will become the pleasure it was meant to be.

From the Back Cover

The Howell Equestrian Library is a distinguished collection of books on all aspects of horsemanship and horsemastership. The nearly fifty books in print offer readers in all disciplines and at all levels of competition sound instruction and guidance by some of the most celebrated riders, trainers, judges and veterinarians in the horse world today. Whether your interest is dressage, show jumping or Western riding, or whether it's breeding, grooming or health care, Howell has a book to answer your needs. Get to know all the books in the Howell Equestrian Library: many are modern-day classics and have achieved the status of authoritative references in the estimation of those who ride, train and care for horses.
The Howell Equestrian Library

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Howell Book House; 1 edition (June 15, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876059760
• ISBN-13: 978-0876059760
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #465,056 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great addition to anyone's riding library, July 3, 1998

By 

PonyExpress (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Less-Than-Perfect Rider: Overcoming Common Riding Problems (Hardcover)

As a rider who took up the sport at 33-and who sometimes feels overwhelmed with all there is to know and master in riding, I was delighted with this book. The british authors have a wonderfully down-to-earth approach, and there is no sense of the "elitism" one sometimes finds in american riding books. Great discussions of common problems, and very helpful solutions offered. I think it should be in every adult beginner's library.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How you can ride better - depending on your figure, October 30, 2001

By 

Angela M. Hey (Portola Valley, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Less-Than-Perfect Rider: Overcoming Common Riding Problems (Hardcover)

I like the back views of riders - some tall, some short, some fat, some thin - these are used to give you suggestions on how you can improve your riding. So don't worry if you don't look like an Olympic champion with perfect legs!

The book has many photographs (some in color) that show typical riding faults and how to correct them.

There are some really good suggestions for off-the-horse exercises. This book is ideal for adults getting back into English(as opposed to Western) riding - especially if you rode when you were so small that the only way to grip was with your knees (not the way to ride!). It covers really basic information - like how to find an instructor and a riding school. It covers walking, trotting, cantering and jumping. There is a very informative chapter for the nervous rider.

I keep going back to this book before and after each lesson. Its a good basic book but will only be useful to those who practise what it preaches.

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A well written, helpful book., December 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Less-Than-Perfect Rider: Overcoming Common Riding Problems (Hardcover)

This is a great book with beautiful color pictures throughout. It is helpful especially for adults, but good for anyone who is involved in riding. It is nice to know the problems we face are commonplace for many other people, and the author gently shows us how to correct them. Great information about human and equine bodies as well. Lots of helpful advice, and did I mention beautiful pictures?