Useful Dressage Books

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LizzieRC1313

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I'm looking for a good book to buy as a stocking filler for someone, dressage related. Have looked at Carl Hesters - down to earth dressage and real life dressage, just wondered if anyone had any comments on either of these two or others to recommend? Am looking for something with clear explanations and useful schooling tips aimed at ordinary horses working at prelim/novice/elementary level, not totally focused on GP horses.

Thank you :)
 
Best dressage books I have read are by Charles de Kunffy - The Athletic Development of the Dressage Horse

Have read the above two and found them dull - not very useful.
 
I really like 'The Complete Training of Horse and Rider' by Alois Podhajsky, though it may not be to the taste of some! I've also had luck with Sylvia Loch's 'The Balanced Horse' but did find it quite boring and I had to try and power through.

'The Scales of Training Workbook' is also good and perhaps more useful for your friend - it builds very clearly on each previous exercise :).
 
I had a Carl Hester book. Lent it to a friend so can't tell you the title but it's quite old (Mr Hester looking v young!) and think it was with Horse Magazine? Found that book v helpful
 
Debby Lush has written a couple of good books which are aimed at the right level and based on good correct training. Arthur Kottas has also written a couple of super books which are well worth reading and are clear and easy to understand.
 
I have Down to Earth Dressage and Real Life Dressage. I really like them both, but if I had to pick..... I would go Down to Earth Dressage.

It goes through each of the paces, what you should be aiming for with each, the different "paces within the paces" (medium walk, free walk, extended walk, collected walk - and the same for trot and canter). It has homework and problem solving tips and I have found it very helpful.
 
NaeNae87 said:
I have Down to Earth Dressage and Real Life Dressage. I really like them both, but if I had to pick..... I would go Down to Earth Dressage.

It goes through each of the paces, what you should be aiming for with each, the different "paces within the paces" (medium walk, free walk, extended walk, collected walk - and the same for trot and canter). It has homework and problem solving tips and I have found it very helpful.
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Fab :) Iv just ordered that exact book!

I really love the mary wanless ride with your mind book- think it's the rider basics one I have. Don't be fooled though there's definitly stuff to be learned by all levels in that book :)
 
I really like books "dressage school" by britta schöffmann and "dressage tips and training solutions" by Wolfgang & Petra hözel and Martin Plewa.

The first is great as it breaks down and teaches how to ride each and every movement from how to turn correctly to piaffe etc. it has pictures of each movement, advice on how it should look, common mistakes, aids and goals of the movement. It is purely dressahe based though, whereas the second is more training orientated and although teaches dressage movements to GP it appears to be more focused on what to do if it goes wrong, and tips on how to improve jumping/eventing through flatwork.
If anything, the first one would be a "how to" reference for dressage only, whereas the second one is a "what now" for general training and problem solving. I use them together and they are great :)
 
Thank you for so many helpful replies! It's for my mum so I'll be stealing/using it too! Like the look of Dressage School, might order the enlightened equitation one as it is free, am still tempted by down to earth dressage too due to being such a Carl fan! Decisions decisions...
 
LizzieRC1313 said:
Thank you for so many helpful replies! It's for my mum so I'll be stealing/using it too! Like the look of Dressage School, might order the enlightened equitation one as it is free, am still tempted by down to earth dressage too due to being such a Carl fan! Decisions decisions...
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where is EE free from?
 
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