Customer Reviews

Ride with Your Mind Essentials: Innovative Learning Strategies for Basic Riding Skills

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I have loved and ridden horses all my life. I thought I knew what I was doing. After the first reading of Mary's other book, Ride with Your Mind Masterclass, I realized I have a lot more to learn.

For me, this book, Essentials, is the follow-on to Masterclass. There are several pieces to the puzzle in this book that are not in Masterclass. On the other hand, this book has a pared-down presentation (which you might expect from the title), and in many cases the text and illustrations did not make it clear to me what I was to do or how I was to feel. I was glad to have read Masterclass first. Now that I have, I need this book too, because it goes into much more detail about some aspects of riding.

Where Sally Swift, through Centered Riding opened the door to riding in balance with awareness, Mary Wanless leads us through that same door and into the light. She describes how the best riders in the world achieve flawless, brilliant performances from their horses with seemingly little use of their bodies. Many of them don't know or can't tell you how they do it! Mary wanless has come to a total understanding of HOW. But more than that, she serves it up in small, " digestable chunks" that we can easily digest and use in our search for the connection with our horse that will achieve the beauty and lightness and willingness we all desire . Her knowledge of horse and human biomechanics is key. Her ability to teach it goes beyond what "good" riding instructors impart to their students. She is truly gifted in her ability to teach what has taken her a long time to learn. This is the true "Basics" we hear about that we need for the foundation of our riding that must stay with us throughout our riding career no matter what horse sport we choose.

I`ve mainly ridden (for a few years) as an adult and have my own horse. It is through my horse that I`ve discovered just how weak my riding truly was. Pretty good on school horses, but with my horse it`s a different story. On one hand my weaknesses are completely pointed out and unforgiven, yet my successes (when they truly are successes) are equally rewarded.

I`ve looked at lots of other methods to achieve riding and partnership success with my horse, including Parelli, yet this is hands down the best approach to riding I`ve found.

I`ve only just begun to practice the methods and exercises in this book and already I`m seeing great results. No question it`s alot of work and coordination, but when you get it right it feels truly wonderful! I already feel much more secure even though I`m far from the ideal as she puts it. I particularly like her references to how great riders seem to be `just sitting there and doing nothing`, when in fact they are doing quite alot, with very high muscle tone and she then explains in detail just how you can do it too. I`ve read other books that are filled with riding jargon but light on specifics - I love this book because of the great detail of specifically describing each aspect then telling you how to achieve it complete with both on and off horse exercises.

My only regret is not finding this book sooner - from the title I had always thought it would be more about riding psycology - it is decidedly NOT, and all about body mechanics, both for you and the horse!

This is the most useful training book (for any subject!) that I have read. Mary Wanless is truely gifted at explaining what common terms actually mean in a physical sense. Since auditing a clinic where I purchased the book, my riding has improved tremendously. I'm still a raw beginner (even though I've been riding for a few years), but am starting to feel secure and effective in the saddle. Its hard work, but I can feel my muscles developing and changing which is very rewarding. Plus my Norwegian Fjord Horses seem happier :-) I recommend this book to everyone!

Well the title says it all really ...in whole or part , when I have trouble or the outside world is affecting my riding this is the book I turn to.

I am an individual who needs to know the reasons behind the explanations given by riding instructors before I seem to internalize them. As an adult, this hasn't come naturally to me and I have struggled with position problems. This book goes step by step through seat, hands, and legs and offers great examples of what "correct" position looks and feels like. There are exercises to assist the rider in "feeling" those positions and a definite sense of mentoring throughout. The explanations are thorough and the pictures illustrate the points well. It is a book I know I will refer to again and again.

So you have been told to sit down more, sit deeper, put more weight on one seat bone, be relaxed and on and on. But nobody tells you truly how and what they tell you often does not work. Then everyone gets frustrated - the instructor because you can't follow their "simple instruction" and you as a rider because you feel too "dumb" to do it. Frustration creates tension and with that your last little chance of moving forward just went out the window. Bring in Mary Wanless to the rescue. Not only does she explain how your body works on the inside, but she has some great "off the horse" exercises that allow you to feel your body, those elusive seatbones and make it clear how you can be a better rider. This book has made a great difference for my own riding and has helped many of my students to finally understand and see instant improvement. Truly remarkable insights. Kyra Kyrklund uses many of her techniques (I had the chance to observe first hand at the USDF convention 2008)and they simply work. Go get this book - it will help you become a better rider and make your horse a lot happier, too.

One of the best training books I've ever read! Key exercises and concepts are explained in a way that avoids jargon and can be implemented. My riding has has noticeably improved (comments from my trainer)since I've been reading/working through the exercises in the book. It is a worthwhile investment, especially in today's circumstances where people's riding budget may be more limited.

This book is a must read for any serious rider. It clarifies a lot of misunderstandings about riding correctly. If you've ever struggled with your riding (that's all of us) this book will help you immensely. Very easy to understand in every day language. No words or phrases that leave you wondering what Wanless means by them.

Mary Wanless does an amazing job at explaining how to correct yourself. The proof of her teachings are in the progress and happiness of the horse (and the rider, of course!).