Novices and instructors - good books/DVDs for confident handling of horses please?

Keen

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Hallo! Thanks for clicking ;)

Anyone who has experience of getting to know horses as an adult, I'd be very grateful if you could help my search!

I am looking for book or DVD recommendations for understanding horses/ safe handling in the stable/techniques for putting horses at their ease. I have the Pony Club's Manual of Horsemanship, and previous edition of BHS Manual of Equitation, and have read Monty/various mags/riding instruction manuals. I am fairly confident in the saddle, but clueless and nervy around horse on the ground, and would like to shape up so I can fully enjoy the opportunities now open to me! I have done some Google books/Amazon searches. But from your experience, is there anything that is particularly helpful? Many thanks!

Background, if you're interested
:

I have been riding once a fortnight/week for 4-ish years. I am in my early 30s. I rode as a kid for a 3-4 years, but stopped due to finances. As a child, and until this year, I was not able to get involved in horse care/stable management for whatever reason. My riding is coming on - trot/canter/gallop/jump small jumps/hack in company. Recently, I have started to ride horses who are slightly less straight forward (green, or once-in-a-blue-moon buckers/spookers, young, enormous etc.) All good - I feel safe in the school with these horses, and with what my instructor asks.

Very happily, I now have the opportunity to do a small amount of basic horse care (leading, grooming, tying up, tacking and untacking, hoof picking, skipping out, rugs etc). My nerves on the ground inevitably make the horses unsettled (or sometimes, they take advantage!) I'd like now to be forearmed with some ideas/knowledge when getting up close and personal. I am considering the ABRS stable care exam (though time/finance a consideration) and have (limited) opportunities to watch other people, but I don't want to become too much of a plague asking questions of YO/yard workers. I do not have my own horse, and don't hobnob with the liveries much! Thanks for reading!
 
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ironhorse

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I'd go with Kelly Marks - straightforward, well written and will give you lots of practical 'tools' to deal with situations.
However, it's only with practice that you'll get more confident, by learning that you CAN cope with that one that's bargy to lead, that one that pulls faces when you go in the stable etc.
Horses naturally like people who are confident, positive and cheerful, you have to teach yourself to DO rather than dither around them! :D
 

Marydoll

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I love any books by Richard Maxwell, cant see past him, he's down to earth straight forward and having used his techniques can say imho they work.
I also like michael peace.
 

Keen

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Many thanks everyone! :)

I think I will get these two:

Maxwell (very cheap on Amazon) http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=...&resnum=2&ved=0CEIQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false

Kelly http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=...&resnum=1&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false

However, it's only with practice that you'll get more confident, by learning that you CAN cope with that one that's bargy to lead, that one that pulls faces when you go in the stable etc.
Horses naturally like people who are confident, positive and cheerful, you have to teach yourself to DO rather than dither around them! :D

Yes, indeedy! I think the ABRS stages might be the way to go! I like tests (!) and hopefully both me and the horses receiving my loving-but-dithery-attentions will benefit from the oversight and structure (for a bit anyway)!

Thanks again folks! Any other suggestions gratefully received!
 
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