The Way to Perfect Horsemanship (Trafalgar Square Classic) [Hardcover]

Udo Burger (Author)

Book Description

Series: Trafalgar Square Classic | Publication Date: March 1999

The Way to Perfect Horsemanship is an outstanding work in the vast literature devoted to horsemanship. It provides, for the first time, a clear insight into the psychological makeup of the horse, its muscular system, the mechanics of its movement, and the aids to human-to-horse communication. Udo Burger presents his philosophy of riding in a scientific manner, asserting that no one can no more learn to ride without a knowledge of horse physiology and psychology than one can learn the art of medecine without a background in health and disease. He clearly explains what one should feel and do on horseback--ultimately, as if one is part of the horse, completely united with it in all of its movements. Anyone with a genuine empathy for horses--wether teacher, trainer, competitor, or occasional rider--will benefit enormously from reading this classic work on horsemanship. The late Udo Burger was an accomplished horseman and one of Germany's most esteemed equine veterinarians.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German

About the Author

Udo Burger was a leading German veterinary surgeon, judge, and horseman.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 254 pages
• Publisher: Trafalgar Square Publishing; 1st edition (March 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570761299
• ISBN-13: 978-1570761294
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,140,075 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for any serious horse rider, April 8, 2000

By 

MA Kinnear (Johannesburg, South Africa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Way to Perfect Horsemanship (Trafalgar Square Classic) (Hardcover)

This book was recommended to me by a dressage judge. He lent me the original German version which I read 4 times in a row before returning it. I then ordered the English translation and read it another 3 times. Every time I did, I learnt hundreds of new things about riding. It is the most amazing riding book I have ever read. The only other one that comes to close to it is Museler's Riding Logic. The author ends the book by saying that he hopes, by writing this book and getting riders to understand them better, he is repaying his horses for serving him faithfully all those years. He has succeeded!

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thorough and incomparable guide to horsemanship!, December 9, 1998

By 

Mary Debono ([e-mail]) (San Diego, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Way to Perfect Horsemanship (Trafalgar Square Classic) (Hardcover)

The author combines his veterinary knowledge, his skill as a horseman and his unabashed love of horses to create the richest equine treatise I have ever read. Udo Burger emphasizes that as riders we must constantly strive to refine our sensitivity and therefore be capable of precise and subtle use our aids. It is only then that our horses may be gently and beautifully ridden. Dr. Burger's explanation of equine biomechanics is crucial to a rider's understanding of proper horsemanship. Anything less is unfair to our horses. Burger emphasizes that we must continue to study for the sake of our wonderful and generous equine companions. As the originator and teacher of the S.E.N.S.E. Method (bodywork and movement exercises for horse and rider), I can only applaud. Loudly. This is a book no horseperson should be without.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Developing an athlete, November 5, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Way to Perfect Horsemanship (Trafalgar Square Classic) (Hardcover)

This book is exciting. It explains the the anatomical development of horses as we ride them. You get an insight how riding your horse correctly contributes to particular muscle development of the horse and how your horses motor physiology would not respond and find limitations when incorrectly ridden. Not easy reading but certainly a must for those who want to develop their horses into athletes.