Western Horsemanship requires balance, finesse, and above all, effective communication between horse and rider. Not only is Western Horsemanship an important and popular horse show class, but it is also the foundation for such other competitive events as reining, roping, trail, and working cow horse.From selecting a suitable horse, necessary tack and equipment, and preparing for competition to winning strategies for the show arena, 101 Western Pleasure and Horsemanship Tips is an essential guide for all Western riders.

· A comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about horses and our relationships with them · Includes detailed sections on a wide variety of informative topics, including the history of horses, evolution, domestication, horseback riding, training, competing, breeding, and more · Features complete profiles of 175 breeds of horses, from the Abaco Barb and Welsh Pony to the Shetland Pony, American Quarter Horse, Thoroughbred, and many more · Filled with 100 training and behavior tips, 50 riding, grooming, and health takeaways, 25 competitive activities, and countless other important and interesting must-know information · Written by two highly regarded horsewomen, the late Moira C. Allen and Sharon Biggs · Newly updated edition includes a new section on advances in imaging technology for horses and advances in medications, plus updated information on saddles, bits, poisonous plants, deworming practices, and natural horsemanship

At some point in a mother's life, her child--most likely, her daughter--will smile sweetly and say, "Mommy, I want to learn to ride a horse. And then I want to win a blue ribbon." What's a mother to do? (Or for that matter, a father, since he'll become involved too, even though ferrying the child to and from lessons and competitions is far more often the equivalent of a Soccer Mom.) Even people who rode when they were younger may not remember the ins and outs of the sport, and especially the way it's played these days. Riding to the rescue comes Susan Daniels, an experienced and accomplished Horse Show Mom. Taking the perplexed parent under her wing, she provides advice on locating a suitable lesson stable (including how to tell whether a particular instructor is right for your child, and what to do if he or she isn't), determining when - or whether - to buy a horse or a pony, outfitting horse and rider (must the animal's leg wraps and the child's ponytail ribbons match?), and understanding and coping with stable politics (such as when it's appropriate for barn managers and instructors to pay more attention to another youngster than to yours). When it comes to horse showing, the author explains how to tell when your child is ready for competition, what's expected of horse and rider at various levels of proficiency, which supplies Moms should always have on hand (safety pins and hair nets lead the list), how to deal with your child's triumphs and tears, and how to understand the complicated but crucial national and regional championship points systems. With pages of warm and encouraging humor, sound advice and illustrative true-life adventures from the worlds of hunter/jumper, Western, combined training, and dressage competition, The Horse Show Mom's Survival Guide is a valuable "leg up" for any parent whose youngster has that blue-ribbon gleam in her eye.

This sequel to Cherry Hill's top-seller 101 Arena Exercises presents step-by-step instructions for unique patterns in the most popular classes of English and Western competition. The book's comb-bound format allows it to hang in the barn or lay flat on a barrel for easy reference. Full-page arena maps for every pattern make this the perfect in-the-saddle workbook for riders of all abilities.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [311]-317) and index.

Here is a completely revised, full-color second edition of the established go-to source for equestrian information. This comprehensive A-to-Z guide covers “everything horse” and bridges gaps in the equestrian universe between English and Western styles. More than 1,700 entries explain wide-ranging topics such as breeds, tack, facilities, equine care and management, health and safety issues, riding styles and disciplines, shows, and much more. Whether you’re a rodeo hand, thoroughbred racer, seasoned professional, or armchair admirer, you’ll get everything you need from noted equestrian author Jessie Haas’ clear and thorough descriptions. American Horse Publications Association's Equine Media Awards Winner

Sarah Montague's The Adult Rider describes everything you need to know if you are interested in introducing (or reintroducing) horses to your life. The book begins with a thorough description of all equestrian disciplines-from Western (barrel racing, reining, cutting, penning) to English (show jumping, dressage, eventing) and so much more! You might try endurance riding, in which you and your equine partner hit the trails for miles, or maybe you've considered polo, a sport gaining popularity in theUnited States and creating opportunities for eager beginners. Perhaps you love horses, but aren't so sure you want to ride—Montague will introduce you to the thrill of driving, the artistry of in-hand competitions, and the joys of miniature horses. Whichever discipline you consider, the author takes you step by step through the process, from choosing a stable (what to look for in an instructor and in a barn) to picking out your new riding clothes (you need only a helmet and sturdy shoes to start, but there's a world of apparel and accessories once you're hooked). Do you think you might want to buy a horse someday? The Adult Rider describes this process as well, but also introduces you to other alternatives—like leasing, a month-to-month arrangementthat lets you see how a horse fits into your life in both time and money before you make a commitment. The Adult Rider recognizes that we are not the same as the resilient kids who fearlessly hop their pony over a fence for that very first time.Montague discusses what makes adults mentally and physically different, and how to overcome these challenges. In the chapter "The View from the Other Side of the Arena," Montague interviews several riding instructors on the difference between teaching kids and adults and the ways in which adults learn differently. All in all, the point is to have fun and The Adult Rider provides you with the know-how to jump into the horse world with both eyes open.