Long Reining: The Saumur Method [Hardcover]

Philippe Karl (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2003

This classic book demonstrates the French method of training a horse in long reins and how it is possible to attain as high a standard of schooling from the ground as that reached under saddle.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Trafalgar Square Books (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570762384
• ISBN-13: 978-1570762383
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 7.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,162,569 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Long Reining As Art, January 24, 2005

By 

Diana Duffy "Diana" (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Long Reining: The Saumur Method (Hardcover)

This book focuses exclusively on long-reining, and what a treat it is. Lavishly illustrated with color photographs throughout (all taken in France), beautiful, fit horses are worked through various exercises by Philippe Karl, impeccable in his uniform and coveted golden spurs (which have to be earned) of the Saumur, so the reader sees a master at work.

The first major chapter sets the stage for all work in dealing with the gymnastics of the horse, how he moves, his anatomy, sequence of footfalls, balance, bio-mechanics, all of which are well-diagrammed with line drawings. It is supported with quotes from many well-known masters of the past (de la Gueriniere, Raabe, Licart, Kerbrech, D'Auvergne, L'Hotte).

Equipment is dealt with in the opening chapters, and one thing the Europeans have over there which we don't are surcingles with the rings further down the side of the horse for a lower placing of the lines. Everything is clean, simple, and workmanlike, of quality.

Not only do we see basic work on the long reins, but also innovative exercises as well, with clear line drawings illustrating the movements described to break the monotony of the work and to develop the horse's agility and sharpen his response to the aids.

The Europeans believe in introducing horses to jumping as well, feeling that it produces a more all-around athlete, and in this book as well, a section covers work over fences fully illustrated with those beautiful photographs.

While the main focus of the book is the long reining, there are many photographs of mounted work with which to compare to the photographs of ground work so that the reader sees how each enhances the other and how the pieces fit together.

The piece de resistance is the end of the book, the dessert of the work, the piaffe(r) and passage in hand, as well as pesade. With Philippe Karl's detailed description of how to execute the exercises, I feel that I could teach my horse to do them, too.

While this book is a unique and valuable training tool, it is pretty enough to be a coffee table book as well. The photographs alone are enough to make the reader salivate, and I would go so far as to say some are works of art in themselves.

This book came out in 1992 and did not remain in print very long, but fortunately it has been reprinted.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, May 3, 2004

By 

"hermitus" (Hayward, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Long Reining (Hardcover)

Every lover of horses should read this book if they want to understand the art of perfect equine fitness. I am using it to help me train a mare recovering from a long illness. She cannot bear the weight of a rider on her back yet, but she can benefit greatly from the exercises shown in this book. The author is clear and direct; a very talented author and teacher. The photos are excellent. I have purchased many books on long reining, and this is by far the best.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful, February 23, 2006

By 

K. Nelson (Kansas City, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Long Reining: The Saumur Method (Hardcover)

If you're working with a young horse or are unable to ride and want to keep up with your dressage training, buy this book. Although the book is short, the pictures and text are very clear. Karl teaches basic lunging and driving all the way to passage and piaffe. His methods are gentle to the animal. Lots of diagrammed arena exercises. The troubleshooting was great. I taught my mare shoulder-in on 3 and 4 tracks in one hour. I had to stop riding due to pregnancy but I have been able to keep up with my training.