She's not exactly welcomed with open arms. One group of girls in particular is used to being the best, the brightest, and the prettiest on the team, and when Sasha shows her skills in the arena, the girls' claws come out. Sasha is determined to prove that she belongs at Canterwood. Will she rise to the occasion and make the advanced riding team by the end of her first semester? Or will the pressure send Sasha packing?

    That's not Mark Rashid's view. In his words, "If we understand that horses can?t separate the way they feel from the way they act, then we can start to see that unwanted behavior isn?t bad behavior at all. More times than not, it's just the horse expressing the way he feels at that particular moment in time. . . .How we perceive that information dictates how we respond to it."Whole Heart, Whole Horse focuses on this idea, covering such subjects as gathering information from the horse, turning rider/trainer mistakes into positive experiences, developing realistic boundaries between you and your horse, understanding how and why horses release energy from real or perceived traumas, and reaching a comfortable balance point between horse and rider. Rashid analyzes developing softness, consistency, dependability, trust, and peace of mind in both horses and humans, as well as how to become a leader whom your horse will willingly want to follow and work with.Full of examples that extend beyond the training pen, Whole Heart, Whole Horse offers good sense and information that will make you a more astute, capable, and sensitive horseman-and person.

    Just ask them; they'll be happy to tell you.But every girl knows that there can only be one "best."Can Sasha keep the girls from turning the arena into a war zone and still snag a spot on the coveted Youth Equestrian National Team?

    That's not Mark Rashid's view. In his words, "If we understand that horses can't separate the way they feel from the way they act, then we can start to see that unwanted behavior isn't bad behavior at all. More times than not, it's just the horse expressing the way he feels at that particular moment in time. . . .How we perceive that information dictates how we respond to it." Whole Heart, Whole Horse focuses on this idea, covering such subjects as gathering information from the horse, turning rider/trainer mistakes into positive experiences, developing realistic boundaries between you and your horse, understanding how and why horses release energy from real or perceived traumas, and reaching a comfortable balance point between horse and rider. Rashid analyzes developing softness, consistency, dependability, trust, and peace of mind in both horses and humans, as well as how to become a leader whom your horse will willingly want to follow and work with. Full of examples that extend beyond the training pen, Whole Heart, Whole Horse offers good sense and information that will make you a more astute, capable, and sensitive horseman and person.

    She spends summers frisking about the countryside and winters in the farmyard, where the girl human Amma takes special care of her. But when a powerful neighbor notices Elska, her contented life suddenly changes. Here is Elska’s story . . . in her own words.

    In 2002, she quit her Washington DC–area office job and moved to rural Texas to open the racehorse adoption ranch LOPE (LoneStar Outreach to Place Ex-Racers). Since then, LOPE has helped transition more than 725 thoroughbreds into new homes. Though now the director of this high-profile organization, Reardon didn’t learn to ride until she was an adult. Here she presents a vivid inside look into the world of horse racing, complete with colorful horses, jockeys, trainers, and gallop girls, depicting the insights horses can offer when we reevaluate our relationship with them.In this riveting account, Reardon encounters dozens of unruly racehorses, all with special needs, unusual histories, and distinct personalities. As she fumbles to help them find new careers, they return the favor by becoming her most memorable mentors in horsemanship and life philosophy.Horses such as Tawakoni, the son of a Kentucky Derby winner, and Endofthestorm, the speedy bay who required an emergency tracheotomy, give Reardon an apprenticeship in facing fear and finding a new life. Reardon may have saved these horses’ lives, but she points out that they saved hers as well.

    You'll discover the true effect of riding and training on each part of the horse by seeing the skeleton and major muscles painted on the outside. Practical exercises demonstrate how to improve movement, build the right muscles and increase suppleness in the horse. Includes step-by-step guidance on the correct way to warm-up your horse and stretching routines to help guard against injury.

    This bind-up edition features 'Mystic and the Midnight Ride' and 'Blaze and the Dark Rider', part of the 'Pony Club Secrets' series.

    But the whole world was soon abuzz with talk of the magical display these two remarkable individuals provided their audience—whether horse-crazy or layperson, none could walk away unaffected by the powerful connection they demonstrated with their unparalleled cast of beautiful horses. Now in this remarkable book, Frédéric—a specialist in liberty and ground work—and Magali—a talented dressage rider at the Grand Prix level—combine efforts and share the secrets of the breathtaking relationships they have cultivated over the course of their lives with horses. They tell the story of Templado—the gorgeous but rebellious stallion who demanded they question all they had learned as horsemen and look at, in a whole new light, what it means to train horses. It was this tempestuous character that taught them that the process of building a relationship with a horse can be on more equal footing than most would dream possible. It is with this life-altering lesson in mind that Frédéric and Magali now explain their Six Golden Principles. These include how you can become a "safe haven"—the most important being in your horse's life—while ensuring he gets the leadership he craves and deserves. And, how to establish acceptable limits of behavior, as well as respect, without ever succumbing to anger or using force. They describe how to read horse behavior so you can better understand and communicate with your equine partner as an "individual." Plus, you'll see what it means to be patient and "give your horse a say" in his own training—and just how rewarding the results can be. In a chapter devoted to their practical approach, you'll explore what is perhaps most central to their methods: the idea of "play" and how games can be used to develop a horse's intelligence, confidence, and desire to perform, whether at liberty or in the most difficult of competitive environments. Magali shares the example of her Grand Prix mount Dao, with whom she has reached the pinnacle of European competition, and whom dressage judges praise for his supple and stress-free performances. Both Frédéric and Magali once thought they had become skilled and compassionate riders and trainers, but found that the monumental challenges presented by Templado turned their beliefs upside down and made them start again from the beginning. They now view their work with horses as a journey of endless discovery and infinite rewards. With this book, full of phenomenal color photographs of their horses, many of whom appeared in the show that first made them famous, you can join—and learn from—them.

    Equine Fitness will have your horse looking and feeling his best with a series of fun exercise routines specifically designed to enhance his strength, stamina, and agility. Clear step-by-step instructions and detailed illustrations make the exercises easy to follow, and the book includes a handy set of pocket-sized cards that you can use in the ring. Jec Ballou’s simple conditioning program promises lasting results for healthy horses and satisfied riders.

    It's also the start of Pia's new life as a pony whisperer - she can understand what the ponies are saying!Pia immediately gets off on the wrong foot with Cat, 'queen' of the stables, but starts to make friends when her newly-discovered talent helps save a pony from colic.Word spreads about Pia's pony-whispering powers - then it all goes wrong when she gets her own TV show!

    Like the American Kennel Club's The Complete Dog Book (now in its 20th printing), this is the book for horse breeds. For each of 118 North American breeds--from ponies and small horses to pleasure horses, draft horses, and thoroughbred racers--the massive 200,000-word guide provides an official history, detailed conformation ideals, descriptions of gait and distinctive traits, temperament, colors, and variations.Fine color photographs complete the detailed picture each entry presents.This guide is destined to become the bible of the horse world.

    Illustrated.

    Livingston handles each subject with immense respect and admiration. One painterly portrait captures three white Thoroughbred mares jogging through the brush in Oregon's desert land, while in another, a coal-black Friesian mare whose mane nearly reaches the ground, curiously eyes the photographer.

    Based on solid science and the author's long experience, Feed Your Horse Like A Horse illuminates the secrets of equine nutrition and points the way toward lifelong vitality for your horse. Part I explains the physiology of the horse's digestion and nutrient use; Part II offers recommendations for specific conditions such as insulin resistance and laminitis, as well as discussion about feeding through the life stages, from foals to athletes to aged horses. Whether you are a novice horse owner or a seasoned professional, Feed Your Horse Like A Horse will be your most valuable resource on equine nutrition. You'll begin in Section 1 with an up-to-date overview of nutrition and horse physiology that is designed for everyone, from the novice to the lifelong horseman. Section 2 will empower you to make the right feeding decisions that support your horse's innate needs, regardless of his condition or activity type. As a reference book, you have the freedom to choose which sections to read. Topics include: Choosing the right hay or concentrates Helping easy and hard keepers How vitamins and minerals work Recognizing and eliminating stress Importance of salt and other electrolytes Treating insulin resistance Reducing the risk of laminitis Recovery for the rescued horse Nutrient fundamentals Dealing with genetic disorders Managing allergies Alleviating arthritis Diagnosing equine Cushing's disease Preventing ulcers and colic Feeding treats safely Pregnancy and lactation Feeding the orphaned foal Optimizing growth Optimizing athletic work and performance Changing needs as horses age Considerations for donkeys and mules Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D. is a consultant, speaker, and writer in equine nutrition. A retired university professor and winner of several teaching awards, Dr. Getty presents seminars to horse organizations and works with individual owners to create customized nutrition plans designed to prevent illness and optimize their horses' overall health and performance. Based in beautiful rural Bayfield, Colorado, Dr. Getty runs a consulting company, Getty Equine Nutrition, LLC (GettyEquineNutrition.com), through which she helps horse owners locally, nationally, and internationally. The well-being of the horse remains Dr. Getty's driving motivation, and she believes every horse owner should have access to scientific information in order to give every horse a lifetime of vibrant health."

    In her two Caveliers—Call Again Cavalier and Imperial Cavalier—she has two of the very best event horses in the world. Mary Kings's success in the world of eventing has been hard won. She does not come from a privileged background. Her first pony was the ancient "cast off" from the local vicar's children—and success with this pony gave her an iron will to succeed. To support herself in the early days she had a variety of unglamorous jobs—including butcher delivery rounds and cleaning out toilets in the local campsite. Her talent was apparent from very early on and she first competed at Badminton in 1985, had her first win there on King William in 1992, and had her second on Star Appeal in 2000. Just when everything seemed to be going well she suffered a terrible fall in 2001 and broke her neck but she was back competing at the very top level the following year. Mary King's story is fascinating and inspiring for anyone with an interest in equestrian sports.

    Learning about riding, training and caring for horses, and making new friends along the way, Tilly discovers that at Silver Shoe Farm anything is possible.Perfectly heart-warming pony tales packed with expert advice from champion rider and Grand Slam winner, Pippa Funnell, on everything you ever wanted to know about horses.

    Surrounded by her beloved family, including her gentle sister, Doe, and protected by her father, the band stallion, Blue lives a life both harsh and beautiful in the rugged terrain of their undiscovered habitat. That all changes, though, when Blue and Doe are suddenly captured by rogue cowboys, setting in motion a chain of events that threatens the very survival of their hidden herd.

    This treasure chest of activities, games, and projects encourages kids ages 8 and up to express their passion for horses through a wide range of creative outlets. Jessi Haas offers hundreds of fun and innovative ideas that will inspire children to engage in horse-based writing, photography, crafts, and more. Along with plenty of fascinating trivia and breed profiles, Haas provides suggestions for horse-themed books and movies kids won’t want to miss. Take horse obsession beyond the barn!

    When a mysterious mustang shows up on his farm, Shane doesn't know how--or why--the horse appeared, but the horse's distinctive brand identifies her. She is one of the Spirit Horses, a rare, wild herd that runs free on the Shoshone reservation in Wyoming. Watched over for centuries in the tribe's ancestral valleys, these exquisite horses, according to belief, provide a link to the afterlife. When tragedy strikes in his life, Shane nearly loses his will to live--but for one promise he made to his young son: to return the mustang to her rightful home. On this bittersweet journey, Shane finds a world where tradition reigns, and ancient beliefs transcend modern logic. In this magnificent expanse of blue sky and wide open spaces, love is alive, but hate, intolerance, and greed threaten to close in. To make good on his vow, Shane must face the danger that threatens these horses, the tribe's legacy, and his destiny.

    Offering new profiles, personality evaluations, and helpful photographs to aid the process, the first of three sections teaches owners how to evaluate their horse's character and equine personality based on more than a dozen physical traits. A second section focuses on how health helps determine if the horse's personality has been adversely affected by stress or pain caused by poor nutrition, inadequate living conditions, or a mismatched riding discipline. The final section teaches how to bring out the best in one's equine friends, explaining techniques known as the Clouded Leopard, the Raccoon, and the Flick of the Bear's Paw, among others--all of which encourage bonding with horses to influence their personalities in a positive way for both horse and rider.

    Whether you ride every day or once a year, this is the book for you!

    With in-depth discussions of hoof anatomy, the role of the farrier, and the importance of daily routines, Horse Hoof Care provides everything you need to know to give your horse a solid foundation of healthy, strong hooves.

    You'll find out how each movement should look, get an idea of the common mistakes made by horses and riders and how to avoid them, and learn about the various benefits each exercise offers at various stages of training. Most importantly, you'll see how the simplest of school figures ultimately contributes to progressive planning related to the dressage Training Pyramid. Armed with this knowledge, your regular daily training program and the most mundane of schooling sessions will take on new relevance as you come to understand how each piece fits into the larger picture the optimal gymnasticization of the horse in order to keep him sound, healthy, and happy in his work. Before you know it, both you and your horse will find arena work more interesting, your horse 's attitude and way of going will improve, and your ability to plan a workout according to his needs present and future will be maximized. Formatted as a practical and easy-to-follow reference, this infinitely useful book promises to take the mystery out of dressage schooling forever.

    . . From the Heart of Horses explores and celebrates the relationship and bond possible between horses and humans. Each chapter offers a life lesson about trusting one’s instincts, honestly addressing emotions, achieving clarity in communications, and re-leasing negative thoughts. Because survival depends on being highly tuned to the thoughts and feelings of others, horses sense human intentions rather than what a person offers in facial expressions, which creates a remarkable effect on the relationship between these two distinctly different species. Among the moving stories the author relates are a horse named Hope who teaches the difference be-tween hope and faith; an abused horse’s background bringing up old memories and helping the author to move on; a young Olympic equestrienne hopeful who dis-covers and reaffirms her self-esteem; and a corporate training session in which one participant achieves great success merely by being honest about her fears. As you see how these people grow deeper into them-selves as they learn the horse’s way, you, too, will be inspired to explore and apply the deep and ever-lasting connection and communication between horses and humans.

    Discussion of the results leads into an exploration of how working towards collection informs the progression of training and the way in which the exercises are implemented. Furthermore, Belasik points out, this pursuit of collection is likely to take a purer form if it is motivated by artistic values rather than by the rider's ego. In this regard, the author urges readers to focus on their own individuality, rather than being motivated or misled by external pressures; to "collect" or "center" themselves, as they work towards a similar state with their horses. A fascinating and thoughtful read.

    To begin achieving this relationship, riders learn to transform a horse’s work space into “free space” by giving their horse choices; by understanding how horses live and prefer to spend their time; by observing, sensing, and reflecting with the horse; and by using visual language to win the horse’s friendship. The result is a surprising dialogue with the horse that yields an indomitable partnership—unparalleled improvement in the horse’s attitude, health, balance, and movement, as well as mutual enjoyment of what was once the often dull, frustrating grind of daily training lessons.

    Only Erin can find it but first she must discover something very special about herself . . .

    But 1914 brings war, and the government’s patriotic fervor entices Tag and his friends to join the Light Horse Brigade. Tag’s life soon spirals into a battle for survival in the day-to-day madness of the trenches, and he faces conditions that are terrible for man and beast, discovering the hardship and joy that accompany wartime love along the way. Based on the real-life experiences of a World War I veteran, this deeply moving, fiercely antiwar novel blazes with authenticity, revealing new insights into the Gallipoli legend and Australia’s battles on the Western Front. A bush tale, a family saga, and a romance combined, this unforgettable revelation demonstrates the human spirit’s ability to survive war’s inhumanity.

    After years of dreaming about horses, she is finally surrounded by them on her grandfather's ranch in Hawaii. To top it off, she even has a horse of her own--Hoku, a wild mustang she helped rescue. After a few months together their bond has never been stronger.But when Hoku must be set loose among other horses, her untamed spirit returns. As Darby tries to reestablish their relationship, even worse news arrives: Hoku's original abusive owner, Shan Stonerow, wants her back. Without a deed of ownership, could Darby lose the horse she loves?

    Brigadier was a golden chestnut with four white socks, and his size alone was imposing. But that wasn’t why Sergeant Graham Acott chose this horse above all the others with such certainty. The animal’s large, intelligent, and gentle eyes were what struck him. This was a horse, and a partner, perfectly suited to the job for which he’d been bred.Brigadier never let Graham or anyone else down for a moment, and his years of service with the force were happy ones. When, on that last night, he turned into the path of an oncoming car and took the full force of its impact, he did what he was trained to do and he did it with the heart of a gentle hero.Thousands wept and were outraged by the senseless cruelty that ended Brig’s life. For his selfless act, Brigadier received full honors, a police funeral, and tributes from around the world. But his days of willing service, the smiles he brought, and his gift of companionship are what he will always be remembered for.

    Luckily, Jenny's dad has the perfect horse, Dash. Dash is very fast, but Jenny must learn to control him around all the tight turns in the barrel racing course. Even with help from her new friend, Hope, and her trainer, Sam, will Jenny and Dash be ready in time for the upcoming rodeo?With fun facts about American Quarter Horses, this easy-to-read chapter book is perfect for any girl who loves horses!

    Known to his tens of thousands of fans as the Cups King, Bart is arguably Australia's greatest ever horse trainer. For over five decades he's been at the very top of his profession, yet the man himself remains a fascinating and intriguing mystery. Now, for the first time, he tells his extraordinary story – a story that will truly stop the nation. In Bart: My Life, he recounts his early years as his father's apprentice, leading to his first Group One win in 1958. He never looked back. In over half a century as a trainer Bart has won over 250 Group One races – a staggering statistic. But the achievement that will almost certainly never be matched is his incredible tally of twelve Melbourne Cup wins, from his first triumph with Light Fingers in 1965 to Viewed's stunning victory in 2008.But Bart means much more to the Australian public than just the sum total of his racing successes. From the highs of the racetrack to the lows of suspensions and near bankruptcy, Bart shares his unique perspective on an extraordinarily long period of Australian racing. Along the way he illuminates – with his trademark dry wit – the colourful trainers, jockeys and owners who populate the industry.

    One hundred full-color photographs of Buck in action enhance the step-by-step methodology that leads to mastering this essential Western skill.

    Professional trainer Sean Patrick has created the ultimate guide to the "complete" riding horse—whether a performance, working, or "just for fun" prospect. Quite simply, you begin at Lesson Number 33 and count your way down through the basic exercises—the "primary education"—every horse needs. And when you get to Lesson 1, you've done it; you've prepared your horse for advanced work in any number of equestrian disciplines. You can't get lost along the way. There's no room for confusion. Sean clarifies the point and explains the gist of every step. The happy result? He trains you to be a trainer. Whether your horse is a foal or five, guilelessly green or imperfectly veteran, he will benefit from the Countdown—a true "foundation" program, serving to prepare him for the endless variety of activities and "jobs" horses perform today. From indispensable handling, "sacking-out," and tying exercises, to how you, the rider, can control the different parts of the horse’s body from the ground and the saddle; from mounting on both the left and the right to performing flawless flying lead changes, you’ll be amazed at how effective and efficient this program is.