Must read books?

Cob Life

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Has anyone got any must read books?

I'm more of a dressage rider but do a lot of work with green horses and cobs so anything along those lines would be amazing!

I've currently got Cobs Can! By Omar Rabia and found it really useful to to have something written down.
 
I will rave about Anja Beran's books to anyone who will listen.

Also Sylvia Loch's. All of them.

For youngsters/green horses, Richard Maxwell has some great books, and Michael Pearce. Also the Klimkes have one I'm sure I used to refer to, a few years ago.
 
Ingrid Klimke has written a couple
From a behavioral perspective, anything by Lucy Rees
Perry Wood - 'how to create the perfect riding horse' is worth a read
I second Sylvia Loch
Also Heather Moffets book - enlightened equitation.
 
Heather Moffet's Enlightened Equitation - the one book to keep by your bedside.

Not so sure about Silva Loch, I couldn't understand what she meant by "3 point seat" - I sit on my 2 seatbones! Although she is very clear about explaining the aids.

Wynmalen is great, not sure if it is still in print though.

I used to have occasional lessons with Perry Wood, and looking back, that was my most successful period in competition, so that must tell you something.
 
If you're feeling a bit unmotivated and horses are becoming more tiring than fun, My Horses, My Teachers by Alois Phodjasky is wonderful. It's less educational and more autobiographical (with a focus on his horses lives, not his!)
I also have a soft spot for Horse Sense by Henry Blake. Not sure all of his psychology would pass now but for basics in training and just how much horses can do it is fascinating
 
I have Henry Blake books too. I could just remember the names some of the point-to-pointers he mentioned, I must have been very young! The books are well worth a read. His father, and then he, used to specialise in re=training spoiled horses. He said that in his father's time most of them had been cruelly treated which had led to bad behaviour. In his time it was more horses that had lacked correct training and handling that led to problems.

He had been away at war and when he returned home and called at the field gate to his horses they all galloped over to greet him.
 
Train Your Young Horse - Richard Maxwell

Basic Training of the Young Horse - Ingrid & Reiner Klimke

Training Horses the Ingrid Klimke Way - Ingrid Klimke

Finding the Missed Path; The art of restarting horses - Mark Rashid

Training the Sports Horse - Chris Bartle (applicable even if not producing "competition" horses)

A good horse is never a bad colour, Life lessons from a ranch horse, Considering the horse and Horses never lie - all by Mark Rashid are good reads if you like his story telling style of imparting training /lessons

In the middle are the horsemen- Tik Maynard not so much a training book but his journal and lessons learnt as he went to train with several different horsemen and women from all different areas of the horse world

The simplicity of Dressage - Johann Hinnemann (the first trainer Tik went to)

Dressage in Harmony - Walter Zettl
 
I found Riding With Understanding and Feeling by Michael Putz to be filled with very clear and helpful explanations of dressage theory as well as ideas for solving problems.
 
I found Riding With Understanding and Feeling by Michael Putz to be filled with very clear and helpful explanations of dressage theory as well as ideas for solving problems.

Ooo I've never heard of that one, away to smile amazon so I can shop guilt free and donate to prince fluffy ?
 
Perry Woods books are great and very clear and easy to understand.

I love Anja Berans books too but although they contain practical information they are more something to aspire too for me rather than giving me exercises to come away and utilise.

I also like the 101 dressage exercise type books. My last loan horse was never sound enough for me get through as many of the exercises as I’d of liked but I was never stuck for schooling ideas.

I’m a bookaholic so I’ll have to check my shelves in the morning and see what else I have lurking!
 
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Ride with your mind masterclass by Mary wanless is good but quite heavy going. I look at dressage riders in a different way after reading it. I also enjoyed Robert Oliver guide to conformation but unfortunately had already bought my wonky donkey by then ?
 
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