The Less-Than-Perfect Rider: Overcoming Common Riding Problems (Hardcover)

by Lesley Bayley (Author), Caroline Davis (Author) "If you watch horses moving at liberty in a field you will see how easily they accelerate, change pace, stop and turn..." (more)
Key Phrases: lunge lessons, way your horse, jumping position (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Sound riding instructions as well as a program of exercises that will improve a rider's confidence and ability and make riding the pleasure it was meant to be.

From the Inside Flap
Riding is a demanding and at times frustrating sport. Every rider encounters problems and experiences feelings of inadequacy, whether attempting to master a particular dressage movement or summoning up the courage to jump a difficult course. All riders, from novices to top competitors, often permit their physical or emotional shortcomings to overwhelm them. Consequently, in The Less-Than-Perfect Rider Lesley Bayley and Caroline Davis focus on the topics that, in their experience, are of the greatest concern to riders:

• how to communicate with the horse
• how to improve mental attitudes
• body shape and how it affects riding
• the importance of visualization in correcting faults

Bayley and Davis offer sound riding instruction as well as a program of exercises that will improve a rider's confidence and ability. Once shortcomings—real or imagined—are understood and addressed, riding will become the pleasure it was meant to be.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Howell Books; 1 edition (April 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876059760
• ISBN-13: 978-0876059760
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,134,638 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great addition to anyone's riding library, July 3, 1998

By	PonyExpress (United States) - See all my reviews

As a rider who took up the sport at 33-and who sometimes feels overwhelmed with all there is to know and master in riding, I was delighted with this book. The british authors have a wonderfully down-to-earth approach, and there is no sense of the "elitism" one sometimes finds in american riding books. Great discussions of common problems, and very helpful solutions offered. I think it should be in every adult beginner's library.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How you can ride better - depending on your figure, October 30, 2001

By	Angela M. Hey (Portola Valley, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I like the back views of riders - some tall, some short, some fat, some thin - these are used to give you suggestions on how you can improve your riding. So don't worry if you don't look like an Olympic champion with perfect legs!

The book has many photographs (some in color) that show typical riding faults and how to correct them.

There are some really good suggestions for off-the-horse exercises. This book is ideal for adults getting back into English(as opposed to Western) riding - especially if you rode when you were so small that the only way to grip was with your knees (not the way to ride!). It covers really basic information - like how to find an instructor and a riding school. It covers walking, trotting, cantering and jumping. There is a very informative chapter for the nervous rider.

I keep going back to this book before and after each lesson. Its a good basic book but will only be useful to those who practise what it preaches.

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A well written, helpful book., December 6, 1999

By A Customer

This is a great book with beautiful color pictures throughout. It is helpful especially for adults, but good for anyone who is involved in riding. It is nice to know the problems we face are commonplace for many other people, and the author gently shows us how to correct them. Great information about human and equine bodies as well. Lots of helpful advice, and did I mention beautiful pictures?