Two experts tap their years of experience to present every aspect of basic training in both English and Western styles -- from psychological principles to dressage, show, and trail training. B & W photographs throughout.

For equestrians, horse trainers, and animal lovers, Basic Training for a Safe Trail Horse is a comprehensive, in-depth look at logical and humane training tips for optimal trail riding. Martha Leynes-Selbert, published writer and horse training specialist, has written a superb user's guide that gives trainers, riders and owners a distinctive way to establish a quiet and successful relationship with a horse. Leynes-Selbert's approach to a gentle way of training is explained in detail along with photographs that give the reader step-by-step instruction. Through her relationship with horse trainer, Patricia Allard, Leynes-Selbert's proven methods include relating to the horse as an "alpha mare" instead of a predator. She takes all aspects of fear-based training out of the equation and highlights the intelligence of this regal animal. Her methods include a more compassionate approach-how horses can actually respond to the rider or trainer through words and patient attention.

This manual, the third of the United States Pony Club Manuals of Horsemanship, builds on the fundamentals covered in Basics for Beginners/D Level and Intermediate Horsemanship/C Level. Whether you are a Pony Clubber who has passed the C Level tests, a rider who has mastered the same skills, a riding instructor or a stable manager, this manual will enable you to increase your skills and teach you what you need to know to ride with correct, classical technique in advanced work on the flat, over fences, and in the open; to evaluate and school horses; to teach horsemanship; and to manage a stable efficiently. Written for the North American horseman, this manual emphasizes sound fundamentals and classical methods based on knowledge of the horse and its systems. Whether you wish to compete in dressage, show jumping, combined training, or other horse sports; to train horses, teach riding, manage a stable, or simply enjoy horses and horsemastership at an advanced level, The United States Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship: Advanced Horsemanship/B, HA, A Levels will give you a clear and understandable guide. The USPC B Level is for active Pony Clubbers or horsepersons who are interested in acquiring further knowledge and proficiency in all phases of riding and horse care. The A, the highest rating, is divided into two parts: the HA, which covers teaching, training, and stable management, and the A, which covers advanced riding and schooling of horses at all levels. Many A Level Pony Clubbers have gone on to qualify for the United States Equestrian Team in various disciplines. The Howell Equestrian Library

Storey’s Guide to Training Horses is a one-stop reference for every aspect of horse training, including a complete program for turning a shy and gangly foal into a calm, confident, well-balanced equine partner. Now with full-color photography, the third edition includes step-by-step guidance on all the essential training procedures for both English- and Western-style riding, including haltering and leading, saddling and mounting, and addresses the finer points of gaits, lightness, and collection. Best-selling author Heather Smith Thomas draws on her decades of equestrian experience to anticipate every situation that might arise and provide answers to managing all the potential challenges of training different types of horses.

Begging your horse to enter the trailer is frustrating at best. Forcing your horse into the trailer is dangerous. And, unfortunately, you can't just leave the little bugger there at the fairgrounds, so you're stuck. Who needs the aggravation? The next time you're running late for a show and the kids are driving you nuts and you need to get your horse boxed up and you're running really late... wouldn't you love to have a pro horse trainer appear and show you what to do? Well, the bad news is, I'll be twenty states away that day. The good news is... you can bring my book! Trailer training is actually very easy - it's just a matter of knowing what steps to take, how long to do each, and what to emphasize. To that end, I've compiled a simple set of instructions, a guidebook to getting your horse loading smoothly using the proven methods of John Lyons. Train your horse to: - Load immediately and willingly - Unload easily and in a controlled manner - Lead politely You'll find the book broken down into five "Days" or segments: - Day 1: Easy trailer loading begins by solidifying great ground manners - Day 2: Refine your control over specific body parts, gaining respect along the way, setting yourself up for success - Day 3: Two different ways to get your horse into the trailer - Day 4: Exercises for "hard-luck" cases, training tips for everybody - Day 5: Do's, Don'ts and What-To-Do-Ifs, plus notes on tying, horses that won't unload, horses who "thrash" and more - And... learn to use a round pen to teach your horse to actually look for open trailers! You point, and your horse runs over and hops in! I call them "days" but you should take this work at your own speed. Each chapter gives you a plan, a goal, theory and homework. Some segments, or "days," will be easier than others. And, while you can breeze through everything in hours, you might want to split it up over days or weeks. It's completely up to you. Whatcha waiting for? Don't wait till the morning you're leaving to find out if your horse loads!

Horse training isn’t a mystical procedure. In fact, there isn’t mystery in the methods necessary to teach any skill. To learn any skill there is a logical sequence that if adhered to, allows a behavior to be taught and learned. Creating a Positive Horse consists of using positive methods, which in turn creates a positive attitude. Positive Horses explains those positive methods necessary to create horses that perform on taught/learned cues, both on the ground and in the saddle that are systematically rewarded, but also have an extremely positive attitude to their trainer/companion. The system uses the method, ‘Behavior Modification’. This book is about: • Explanation of basic educational methods using systematic sequences that support training horses. • Creating the goals and objectives for each individual horse rather than a “one size fits all” approach. • Training using positive reinforcement— how food rewards creates useable cues, instead of the trainer performing meaningless behavior that the horse doesn’t understand. • Horses learning basic cues: come, stand, walk on, and halt, which provides safety on the ground and assists in the next work in the saddle. • Applying basic training to other equestrian disciplines. • Addressing training method failure, because the trainer doesn’t assess the correct the behavior to reward and doesn’t understand the methods. • Horse case studies exemplifying the use of behavioral methods.

Training a horse is one of the biggest challenges a 4-H’r (or any animal lover, for that matter) can take on, and one of the most rewarding. This step-by-step illustrated guide offers the first-time horse trainer straightforward instructions for getting started with a foal, a yearling, or an older horse. With expert advice on safety and equine care, the guide covers the basics of establishing trust and authority, training with a bit, training to drive, training to allow riders, achieving different gaits, reaching definite goals, and breaking an old horse of bad habits. Whether you’re a 4-H’r taking up the project of a lifetime, or someone simply interested in training a horse, this book provides all the information you need to get started--and to succeed.

Is this book right for you? Please note: This is a training book; it is not a "care and feeding" book. See contents listing below. When choosing, you may also want to check out the reviews for my other books like "What I'd Teach Your Horse" and "What Is Wrong with My Horse?" Do you have a foal on the way? Maybe you've got a weanling who's growing like a weed but in need of training and possibly getting dangerous? Do you know what training is essential for baby horses, how to approach the work - and how much is too much? You have years till you can ride your colt or filly - but there's a lot of training that needs to be done in the meantime. They need to cooperate for the farrier, to stand near you politely, to be lead around the barn, to respect your space - they need to become a cheerful member of your family. This is your step-by-step guide; it shows you exactly what to do, what to look for and in what order. Train your foal to be safer and: - To respect you and your space - To deal with fear - To lead and stand calmly - To begin "giving to pressure," the very foundation of all training If you were the first person to someday ride your weanling, would you feel safer if the colt did - or did not - have a proper foundation? Your Foal: Essential Training for the Weanling Horse is broken down into five "Days" or sessions. Table of Contents Section I: - Day One: Look At Me - Build Body Control - Day Two: Sacking Out and Desensitizing - Day Three: Halter Training Your Foal - Day Four: Leading a Horse: Colt Basics - Day Five: Cleaning Horses: Bathing Your Foal Section II: - Teach Your Horse to Stand Tied - Horses That Bite (Most young horses will try this once - here's how to "nip it" in the bud.) - Pick Up Your Feet - When I Point! - Sidepassing to You On the Ground - Teach Your Horse to Come to You Based on the gentle and proven techniques of John Lyons, "Days" 1-5 teach your horse to respect your space, to deal with fear, to stand calmly and to begin "giving to pressure." Section II contains additional "how-to" that you'll need at this stage in your young horse's life. I call the individual segments "days" but you'll take this work at a speed that's comfortable for both you and your foal. While you'll fly through some "days," others will necessarily require that you spend more time to really nail the material. You might want to split it up over days, weeks or months.. It's completely up to you - after all, you've got years till he's big enough to carry that saddle or pull that cart! Each chapter gives you a plan, a goal, theory and homework. The whole thing might take you a week - and it might take you months. Every trainer's different, every foal is different. Regardless, when you arrive at the other side, you will have made significant progress in your foal's training and you'll be miles ahead when it comes time later to break him to saddle.