Customer Reviews

Training the young horse: The first two years

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This book provides a great progression of training excercises to help riders SLOWLY work with young or poorly trained horses over the span of two years. A great tool for anyone who may be bringing a horse along without a professional trainer. Well written with great explanations.

One of the best parts in this brilliant book, from the author who obviously cares for the horse, related to LEG AIDS - I will quote : "The most common, not to say universal, method of calling on forvard action is the age old BACKWARD KICK. It may be a violent kick with the spur,or it may be a relatively gentle beckward movement of the leg against the ribs and away from the girth. The latter may not be cruel, but it is just as ILLOGICAL as the former. No dubt both metods can be made to produce forward action from the horse, but only because in principle it make the horse, or threaten to make the horse, too uncomfortable to stay where he is. If we want the INTELLIGENT CO-OPERATION of our horse we must clearly use the more intelligent form of communication than that. We express our wish to go forward by a distinct INWARD AND FORWARD ACTION of the leg ... sufficient to rub against the lie of the hair. When spurs are worn they also will ultimately come into contakt , but only in a comparatively sensitive and kind manner. ..."

Eighteen years ago I purchased a 3 1/2 year old hanoverian. I also purchased Anthony Crossley's book, "Training the Young Horse". Although I had weekly instruction, I religiously followed and referenced his book and took my horse through the first two years and beyond to Prix St. Georges. I highly recommend this book. It is highly educational for the dressage enthusiast and it gives you a two-year outline of progression...exercises and qualities you want to pursue (forwardness, suppleness, contact, etc) in training your young horse. I am purchasing another 3 year old and I am pulling out this book again....It's falling part!!!