[.ca] Getting the Most from Riding Lessons (ISBN 158017082X)

Unfortunately, more praise.:
Generally, I don't take the time to add a review on \o...\c if mine is merely a repeat of what others have written. In this case it is warranted. As (yet another) adult novice, I quickly found that riding is far more art than science, given the variables involving rider and horse AND instructor. What I found is that riding is a very complex art whose complexity becomes apparent only as one (hopefully) progresses in skill. Having waited a year before writing this review, I now feel competent to write a review about a book intending to assist fledgling riders figure out what they are doing, what the instructor is doing, and how they can improve. That is the market for which this book was intended. That is the intention in which the book succeeds and deserves the five-star rating. Having said that, here are the caveats. As one becomes serious about riding, one finds that the communication relationships (horse, rider, instructor) are what keep riding instructors employed. You will continue to find that there are differences between what your instructor tells you, what you are feeling while on the horse, and what Mike Smith (the author) writes. For example, take the canter depart--making a transition into the canter gait. A particular horse is going to respond differently to the various aids (signals) one uses--right leg, left leg, right rein, left rein, and your seat and torso. Mike--correctly I think--has to simplify that for novices. He writes, "5. Squeeze with your outside leg." This, to him, is the "signal" to the horse to start the canter. In fact, one can discover that three out of seven "experts" agree with him. Four out of seven write that it is the inside (driving) leg that is the signal. MOST importantly, the rider will find that horses differ in their opinions. What is the fledgling rider to do? Buy and read this book. Try to listen to your instructor while you are struggling to learn. Periodically, re-read this book. (I made the mistake of confusing the trot depart and the canter depart in my fourth week of training--a wild riding experience both the horse and I will never forget!) As you progess, get another book, so you can begin to compare and appreciate the subtleties of riding. I guarantee that you will begin to figure out what Mike is saying when, for example, he says "When you can distinguish these differences in how your hips move, you're starting to learn to really feel the horse--a definite indication of YOUR progress." (My emphasis.) Finally, don't fall into an early trap of riding the same horse every week ("Charlie is sooo nice.")or failing to occasionally compare your instructor with another (Every instructor has their personal riding vocabulary with which they communicate; sometimes, a different phrase will produce an "Aha!". The more horses with whom you try to communicate, the more proficient you will become. Good riding.

Very Helpful!:
I currently work at a barn that the author owns and as a new instructor, his book helped me tell the kids how to do very beginner things that I knew how to do but not explain. I reccommend this book to anyone starting lessons or starting to teach lessons.

Quality book with a great approach...:
This is a great book when you're just starting out, or pre-showing. The author pretends that each chapter is another lesson, even going as far as documenting your 'lesson horse' and his personality. Great progression of skills, and I love the way the author included excercises that riders could preform at home before heading out to the stable. A great book for all beggining riders.

Proved its worth in first chapter!:
I'm an adult novice rider and am looking for any short cuts I can find to become a better rider quicker. I've been taking lessons for 5 months and have been improving at good pace. I was having significant issues with the seated trot. I just wasn't getting it. I could post a trot like a pro. Anyway, I read the first chapter and followed the advice and voila, I can now sit a trot. I don't feel like a baffoon anymore!

Excellent, thorough book:
I had a horse as a kid for five years, and recently took up riding again. This book was a great refresher! It was well-organized by chapter, very interesting and very useful. Thanks so much!