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Reviews |
Virtually Horses |
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This
book is devoted to explaining Heather Moffett's teaching and riding methods. It discusses her background, how she came to her various methods and contrasts them with 'traditional' riding instruction. This runs the full gamut from position and balance right through to lateral work and 'riding in lightness'. As such it is useful for both beginner and more advanced riders. |
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The way in which we are taught to ride has a very great effect on both us and our horses, and the techniques learned can either make or break a potentially successful partnership. If poor or incorrect riding techniques are used in the saddle giving rough or confusing signals to the horse, it can be very difficult to build up a good relationship. What we should all aim for, is complete harmony between horse and rider." |
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| Other Reviews | |||
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The
beginning of the book deals with a couple of issues that are dear to Heather's heart and remain present throughout the rest of the book.
The first is cruelty or force used in some traditional training methods. Throughout the book there are a lot of references to practices used by some trainers. Although this is an important subject, it is not the reason that I purchased the book and after being mentioned initially I couldn't see any good reason for including some of the other 'cases'. |
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I found most of
these quite concerning on two fronts. If these are as prevalent
in European stables as the author portrays then they should be
reported to the appropriate animal cruelty authority. In the example
quoted below - I certainly would have done more than simply walk out
if the account is true. |
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" I recently walked out of the yard of a top dressage rider and trainer, having witnessed him brutalizing his Grand Prix horse. Trying to obtain more expression in the piaffe,the rider, feeling that the horse was not 'giving' enough, thrashed him with a whip, at the same time booting him with spurs at full force and riding him straight into the walls of the indoor school" |
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| The second is the gear used by Heather in her training. For her classes she has a pair of mechanical 'horses' or equisimulators with which she teaches the correct movements for walk/trot and canter before putting students on a horse. She has also developed her own saddle design and talks about the pitfalls of most saddles and throughout the book she discusses the use of the pelham bit. All of this is very interesting, but not very helpful unless you are going to attend her classes. The information on the pelham bit may be of interest to those riders with the appropriate riding experience and their own horse but does seem a little incongruous given the title of the book and that the Pelham is a severe bit especially in the wrong hands. | |||
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" Saddles have a lot to answer for. While most are well made by fine craftsmen, not all are designed to assist the rider, who ends up fighting the very tool which is supposed to be there to help....I eventually designed my own saddle for use in my school....based on the old Portuguese Classical saddles but with modern adaptations." |
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| Once into the main bulk of the book there is a wealth of useful information and discussion for all levels of rider.
Indeed some of the riders Heather uses as models have been riding for many years.
The information is clearly written, well illustrated and cuts through any jargon.
In fact there is even a whole section on jargon busting. It discusses the various riding terms, what they mean, what most riders think they mean and how to achieve them.
This is an excellent section and clearly discusses how riding terms from equestrian masters can be mistranslated by instructors or riding 'manuals'.The
full meaning of the phrase is explained for each circumstance |
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'Ride inside leg to outside hand' and 'support with the outside rein' are inextricably entwined... It is used when talking about the use of diagonal aids to straighten the horse but also when turning or circling,or when performing leg-yielding or shoulder-in...." |
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| The second edition of this book is currently in publication and my only complaint with this book is possibly due to the editing done between first and second editions. The complaint being that in some cases the cross references within the book don't lead anywhere. | |||
| This book is very easy to read from start to finish and just as useful to pick up and read an odd chapter here or there as a refresher.
The pictures and illustrations are excellent and it is most helpful to have several different types of horse and rider pictured instead of just an 'ideal' rider.
Overall I thought this an excellent book for most levels of rider. Whether you agree or disagree with Heathers methods and/or gear she raises a number of interesting ideas. For the beginner, her clear explainations of terms, aids and interaction with the horse's movement are invaluable. If you wish to learn more about Heather Moffett or 'enlightened equitation' she now has her own website enlightened equitation.com or you can visit New Rider which is closely associated with Heather and you can use the Forums to ask her questions, find out about clinics or discuss issues with some of her students.
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