Horse Gaits, Balance and Movement (Howell reference books) (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "Horses move!..." (more)
Key Phrases: best working rhythm, inside leg aid, extends hind leg, Quarter Horse (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The Howell Equestrian Library is a distinguished collection of books on all aspects of horsemanship and horsemastership. The nearly fifty books in print offer readers in all disciplines and at all levels of competition sound instruction and guidance by some of the most celebrated riders, trainers, judges and veterinarians in the horse world today. Whether your interest is dressage, show jumping or Western riding, or whether it's breeding, grooming or health care, Howell has a book to answer your needs. Get to know all the books in the Howell Equestrian Library: many are modern-day classics and have achieved the status of authoritative references in the estimation of those who ride, train and care for horses.
The Howell Equestrian Library

From the Inside Flap

Horses move! It is what makes them useful, able and beautiful. A foal can walk, trot and gallop within hours of its birth. The horse knows how to be a horse without human help. But when we ride, drive, train and judge horses, we soon discover that not all horses move equally well. Even though there are over two hundred breeds and types of horses and many different disciplines and styles of riding, the horse's basic mechanism and nature are the same. At the heart of Horse Gaits, Balance and Movement is what is natural and common to all breeds, and herein lies the broadness of this book's appeal to riders, instructors, trainers and judges—anyone concerned with equine movement. Lifelong horsewoman Susan E. Harris addresses in her writing and in her more than 300 superb drawings—which demonstrate the kind of nuance and detail photographs do not permit—the following topics:

• basic structure and anatomy
• the cycle of movement
• gaits and transitions
• balance and movement
• poor movement
• flexion, bending and lateral movement
• conformation and movement
• shoeing and movement
• how a rider affects movement.

Her chapter on practical tips for improving the horse's movement will be especially valuable to the rider, whether he or she is in reining, show jumping or dressage. Indeed, the information given in this book will go a long way toward enabling horsemen to interfere less and thus permit the horse to achieve the best movement it is capable of achieving.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Howell Book House; illustrated edition edition (February 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876059558
• ISBN-13: 978-0876059555
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #856,182 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must buy for the serious horseman, March 17, 1999

By A Customer

An excellent presentation of the elements of balance in the horse's movement at various gaits. The illustrations (Did Ms Harris do them?) are grand and support the text very well. It is an excellent resource.

14 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for every horse lover!, May 6, 1999

By	C. P. Williamson "spadesmaster" (Lafayette, CO USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Yes, Ms. Harris did the sketches. Her sketches really capture the movement of the horse and enables you to breakdown the gaits and jumping actions to see what is really happening. Utterly fascinating!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and easy read, April 17, 2007

By	J. Coxon (Santa Ynez, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Horse Gaits, Balance and Movement (Paperback)

I would recommend this book to anyone looking to fully understand the basic gaits, movement and conformation of the horse. There is information on the natural gaits of the horse and how a rider can enhance or hinder the horse's movement and balance. The format will assist both novices and advanced equestrians. It is written in easy-to-understand language. The information is also very accessible simply by browsing through the illustrations. This book would be a great addition to any horse enthusiast's library.