Customer Reviews

Lyons on Horses: John Lyons' Proven Conditioned-Response Training Program

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am not a horse trainer, and had never trained a horse before. However, I applied John Lyon's methods and had very satisfying results. I trained two horses, one of them is now a competition horse which because of its size and conformation (arabian like) would never have been expected to give what it does (its jumping far more than my experienced 10 year old jumper, and he's only 5 and only learning). The trainer has told us its because this horse has such a good disposition towards people and is so attentive and always willing, results of its initial training program, I'm convinced. And it wasn't even done by a proffesional! I highly recommend Lyon's methods. However, I had to read the book twice! Once to get the idea of what the system pointed at and to see what the puzzle looked like with all its pieces in place. Only in the second reading, done mostly in small parts at a time and just before practice was I able to go ahead and be sure of what I was doing and how I should do it. If you are not patient and do not have the time to slowly try to grab the meaning of this, perhaps the video should be a smarter choice.

Reading this book and watching the videos that go with it is the best way to really understand what John Lyons is all about. If you have ever trained a dog, you understand what conditioned-response is, and he teaches you how to apply the same theory to training horses. John Lyons does not hold himself out as a horse-whisperer guru type trainer, but rather as a guy who has a very logical, conditioned-response method of dealing with horses. I liked the way he explained the techniques and his emphasis on safety for the trainer and the horse. Some things are hard to picture from his explanation in the book, so watching the videos put it all together for me. (An example is the hitting the horse on the leg bit that another reviewer mentioned. If you saw the video and saw what he was doing, you probably would not feel uncomfortable with it.) I have found this book the most novice-friendly book of its type.

This is the bible of horse training. I felt like John wrote this book about MY horse. Everything he said worked wonderfully. This man really knows how horses think and how to comunicate with them. It really helped my to understand what my horse was thinking and how to deal with certain problems. I highly recommend this book!!

After more than 20 years of not riding or owning a horse, and switching from English to Western, I was very nervous and intimidate when I bought my 3-yr old Missouri Fox Trotter mare!! The very first chapter's section on "The Importance Of Goals" set the perimeters by which I began my quest to become the leader of this two-part "herd" and become trusting "partners".

The pages to chapter two - "Round-Pen Reasoning" - are dog-eared from re-reading it over and over. Whenever my horse does not perform a particular lesson as I am requesting, I go back to the book and realize that it is because I am not asking in the right way! Although my horse had already been gently broken and trained, I felt that by taking both of us back to the basic beginings would be the best way for both horse and rider to become consistant in understanding of cues and develop trust.

The "Advanced Leading" chapter has put an end to the arm-jerking and pulling/grass eating. I"m still not sure which one of us benefited most from the "Facing Fear" chapter; and the "First Ride" chapter has made me revert back to the gentle snaffle bit and greatly lighten up with my hands! I consider myself to be a novice in the horse "arena" and I was so please to find a book that was not only extremely helpful; but written in language that I could readily understand. I would definately recommend "Lyons On Horses" to anyone who wishes to build a partnership with their horse through rational conditioned-responsive training rather than through intimidation!!

I have read this book and watched the full set of video's. Unaware, I bought a very spoiled, soured pony for my daughter. I found him to be my biggest challenge because even though he would behave with an adult on him he would turn into a mustang when a child would ride him. That pony ended living on easy street for two years before I came across John Lyons' book and videos. I taught that pony to come, lead, and behave when a child was riding. Not only did John Lyons' methods work to get the type of performance we wanted but they helped us gain the trust and respect of that pony. It is a little hard to put the book to work if you haven't seen the video but I think that is because the methods are very unusual and most trainers put up mental barriers of disbelief. I haven't needed to use many of his ideas yet but as any of you likely realize, sooner or later there will be that one horse that none of the old methods work on and then its nice to have more ideas to try.

This book offers a full training program for the young horse with tips for your older horses too! We have implemented these training techniques with all 3 of our horses, 2 weanling and an 8 year old. Would not be as far as we are with them, without this wonderful book. Mr. Lyons is fantastic! Highly Recommended for all levels of training.

I have been using this book as I work with my 7 year old gelding and see a big improvement in his behavior. This book does not replace a clinic or working with a trainer, but it is a good addition to any equistrian's library.

John teaches concept as much as technique and that is important. John encourages you consider broad principals and define your goals. Having participated in several symposiums and a clinic, most of everything I do was influenced by John Lyons and this book was an important part of that. The foundation for training my own Andalusian Stallion is largely based on concepts from this book. I believe you also need two important videos by John: "Round Pen Reasoning" and "Leading and Loading". John never claims to be the only enlightened trainer, but in my view he is one of the best. You can dedicate a lifetime to learning about horses, and this book is a great starter. But in the end, you will learn the most from your horse not from other books. I believe John would agree.

I have watched John Lyons in action and have read this book. I was able to study and put to action the information in this book on my 10 year old pony. My pony was a typical pony; he had his own ways and was difficult to manage. I did not know if the information would help me. From this book I was able to work my pony into a partner instead of a spoiled pet. My pony was even happier doing his job. The information works and has taught me many things that I felt were correct but different from what other trainers did. Just be prepared to really work at what you want with your horse. It will not come quickly but when it works, the result is so sweet!

This book is the end all say all of horse training. Not onlydoes John Lyons take you step by step through the creation of anobedient and willing partner, but he does it with out ever hurting or threatening to hurt the horse. By using John Lyons methods your horse becomes willing and eager to do what you ask of him, not bullied into listening through fear of punishment. I would heartily recomend this book to any horse owner who wants thier horse to be a life partner, and not just a beast of burden bullied into cooperating.