Customer Reviews

My Horses, My Teachers

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With the increasing interest and participation in dressage today, many excellent books focus on the details of the rider's position and aids, but only briefly discuss the key element in the partnership, the horse.

After retiring as Director of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, Col. Alois Podhajsky wrote The Complete Training of Horse and Rider and The Riding Teacher about the art of riding. His autobiography, My Dancing White Stallions chronicled his life with horses from his childhood up to his involvement with the Spanish Riding School, but My Horses, My Teachers is a literary monument to his equine teachers and companions of a lifetime.

It is a delightful, endearing book filled with love, humor, sadness and devotion to his four-legged partners, but to read it simply as entertainment would be a mistake, because careful reading reveals gems of wisdom as to what Col Podhajsky's horses did teach him. It is not a training manual in the traditional sense, but when Col. Podhajsky relates difficulties with individual horses, it is evident that he did not master them with correct body and leg position alone, but that he sensed their emotional and psychological needs, and established an unparalleled rapport and harmony which enabled him to accomplish his goals with the horse kindly, humanely, and patiently.

The Lippizaners dominate his recollections, but there are many others: timid, sensitive Thoroughbreds; hot, fiery Teja; sweet nondescript little Nora, who was always true and steady; Neger, his cavalry mount in World War I who was mortally wounded carrying him to safety; Judith, the jumping mare who never responded to anyone else as she did to him; and little Nero, almost laughed out of the competition ring as a "poor little sausage", who relied on him completely and helped him win a Bronze Medal in the 1936 Olympics.

This book is a rich character study and a beautiful reminder that putting the well-being of the horse is first and foremost, and, particularly, in riding, that "things take time". Col. Podhajsky's foresight to put his memories on paper makes them available to us long after his passing. Because of a changing world, masters of Col. Podhajsky's calibre will not come our way again, yet his rich experiences and ability to put his words so eloquently on paper are still timely and continue to enrich us today.

I just finished this book. It's absolutely amazing. I'm ordering another Podhajsky book today! He's phenominal. The depth of emotion is touching. I wish I could have met him. His life work and experience is amazing and yet it gives hope and inspiration to even the amature rider. He truely gets to the heart of the matter about a rider/trainer's relationship with the horse - what it should be!

This book is written in a style similar to a series of short stories. Colonel Podhajsky passes along some of the lessons he has learned from his four legged teachers that any horse person can understand. It is like listening to a friend speak of his experiences rather than studying a textbook. This makes the book both entertaining and educational. What a pleasure to read!

Have you ever wondered what happened to the Spanish riding school when Hitler matched across Europe? Without this man the riding school might not have survived. An under rated horseman. His explainations on dressage are insightful. A very useful book, absorbing even if you don't ride. The photos sometimes leave something to be desired but in somecases they are 80 years old. Wonderful book a pity the rest of his books aren't still in print.

I really enjoyed this book, from the perspective of an avid reader and a horseman. The points about the different horses were wonderfully thought out. There wasn't much stuffing - what he said was of use. I found myself saying, "oh yes! That's just what Darque does! I must try this method!" or "OH! This is the REAL Alois Podhajsky!"
So many authors who write a some what autobiographical book like this are prone to pride...in a case such as this, rightful pride...a pride in accomplishment. I don't think one mention of himself over the horses or others who helped to forward his career (in bad and good ways) ever occurred. Even when speaking...uh, writing...about his experience in London with Neapolitano Africa, he does not once tell what he did, the little things he could have done to reward that audience with a spectacular performance, one that was announced to be the best ride of that year's Olympics. And not one mention of himself.... There is a memory in my head that this form of honesty, not humbleness, is GREATNESS.

Read for yourself.

she who is no longer the Angel of Music (but a better horseman!)

The title, "My Horses, My Teachers," summarizes this book perfectly. Alois Podhajsky writes the story of his life learning from and teaching horses in such a moving way that, every time I read it, I feel like quitting everything else and only riding dressage (I am a three-day event rider - I LOVE jumping!). His writing is so beautiful and full of wonder for his horses that I am filled with my own wonder and joy of horses every time I read the book. His descriptions of how he taught his various horses from beginning to high level dressage makes me feel inspired to aim high myself. In addition, his tales of his years as the director of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna are wonderful to read. This book is a MUST read for anyone who loves horses!!!

What a pleasure to find this book back in print.

I am re-reading it for the first time in years, and am pleased to find it not at all dated, and indeed very relavent.

The good Colonel has a gift not only with his horses, but to let us the readers know his horses and his riding technique. He is as instructive and entertaining as any book available. A must read!

This book is practically a lesson with this famous horseman! It is easy to read and tells you about his life and how he got to be the great horseman he is. I found it imspirational and to be well worth it's money.

This is a intriguing book. An insight into to the man who managed to keep the Spanish Riding School going during World War II and convinve Patton to save the breeder stock at the end of the war. He speaks of the horses that he has riden and trained and what they have taught him! I have enjoyed the book, but some may find it a bit too intellectual. Those who ride, love horses or are interested in the behavior of horses will find this an most intersting and entertaining read!

Alois Podhajsky was head of the famed Spanish Riding School and the Royal Lipizzaner Stallions. He is author of several books and shows that his talent for writing is as great as his talent for riding and training horses.

This book is a collection of stories on how several of his horses has taught him valuable lessons in riding as well as in life. It is entertaining, humorous and, at time, poignant.

This book is valuable for anyone who rides -- particularly those who are interested in competing. I have found in my "adult amateur" experience that many riders view their horses as the key to their success. If they lose, the reason they lose is because the horse failed. When buying a horse, they consider whether the horse has the "talent".

Podhajsky teaches us that every horse -- regardless of talent, ability or training -- has something to teach us and something that can make us better riders and better people. You don't need a 30K warmblood in order to become a better rider.

Dressage is all about the relationship between horse and rider -- and about how that relationship makes each horse/rider better and reach a higher level of ability. And the symbiotic relationship between horses and riders is what makes riding so enjoyable. This is something that is true for all disciplines and life in general. This is true of life as well. We can always learn something from every experience and every person if we keep our mind open.