Can you learn to ride from a book?

[tabithakat64]

As above

I think you can gain a lot of theoretical knowledge about how to ride (what the aids are what the horse should look like if it's working/performing the movement perfectly) but most books don't seem to explain what you do when a problem occurs.

Watching others ride or watching dvd's is more useful because you can actually see what the person and horse are doing and how they are correcting any problems but each horse and rider combination will have a slightly different set of issuesuseful.

I really do believe the only way to learn to ride or improve your riding dramatically if you are a average rider without exceptional 'feel' is by having lessons from a suitable instructor.

I still read lots of magazines and books though

as well as watching lots of other people ride. I admit that until 3 years ago I'd not had lessons since I was a child and thought you could learn from books and videos.

 

[the watcher]

I think books are a useful resource but they can't teach feel and as you have said, don't really help when it is all going wrong

 

[miss_c]

There's one person at the yard I'm at who seems to think you can! They have read the books so think they can do the movements... Just because you know the theory of half pass doesn't mean you can ride it!!!

 

[soloequestrian]

'Theory memory' and 'skill memory' are two different things. 'Skill memory' ie your ability to physically do things can only improve by physically practising them, so no, it would not be possible to learn to ride from a book although you could get a very good grounding in the theory.

 

[dressager]

Agree with all the above. However people who have read up as well as practise things seem to understand the reasons WHY they are doing things a lot more. But I agree that "feel" is the most important thing when it comes to devloping your riding.

I think some books can really convey a strong feeling which can influence the way you think and practice something... I have a lot more respect for the old masters having read some of their books as their strong respect for the horse is apparant throughout (eg learn to feel when the horse's muscles are fatigued and dismount, don't just walk around on a loose rein)

But how I wish you could be a good rider just by reading, I have a truckload of books