Recommended Reading

​No, I am not done with my notes from the Science of Motion symposium yet, however one of my blog readers has asked me which books I would recommend. Let me first state that books are a great resource but also likely to be outdated if they contain studies or newer information on biomechanics. That means if you are interested in new information you are better off to find a good website that regularly updates.
If you like Science of Motion, then you have found the website of course – www.scienceofmotion.com. There are several tabs that have quite current findings and studies as compiled by Jean Luc Cornille.


When it comes to books I like to separate them into two big groups:

1. Tips and ideas that make you a better rider
2. Tips and ideas that help you understand the body of the horse and specific exercises that can help you train your horse

 
So first my favorite for the Rider books:

• Ride from Within – James Shaw
  • Here is a book that teaches you how to control your body better by applying Tai Chi and Chi Gong methods. The basis of everything is a very effective breathing method and James shows many exercises that can be done on the ground and in the saddle. I found them to be extremely effective. If you are a visual person, he has two DVD’s that accompany his book that I recommend. James has further developed his method, if you get a chance to experience him in person, please do. I have written about some of his ideas in earlier blogs – check the July 2015 one. James has a website - http://www.ridefromwithin.com/

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• Ride with your Mind Essentials – Mary Wanless
  • If you learn by picturing certain movements and positions this is a great book. Mary has quite a few books out, this is my personal favorite and the one I go back to when I need to refresh my ideas on teaching. Mary does hold a few clinics in the US, check out her website for more details - http://www.mary-wanless.com/

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• It’s not just about the Ribbons – Jane Savoie
  • A wonderful book to help you with the mental side of riding. As physical as riding is, your mind plays a huge role in being successful and confident on a horse. Jane points out some great strategies to achieve that. Her website is - http://www.janesavoie.com/

​And now the about the Horse books:

• Biomechanics and Physical Training of the Horse – Jean-Marie Denoix
  • Mr. Denoix holds a PhD in veterinary medicine and is a specialist in equine locomotion. If you want some very current information on how horses move, what happens in their body when their hooves impact the ground, then you will find this book quite enlightening. There are many illustrations that help you understand the matter. With your updated knowledge, you will also find why it is best to avoid some exercises and which ones the horse can benefit most from. It certainly can help improve your training. Here is his website - http://www.iamanequineveterinarian.com/dr-jean-marie-denoix/

• Tug of War: Classical versus “Modern” Dressage – Dr. Gerd Heuschmann
  • One of the earlier books that questions current training methods and gives great biomechanical insights into the movement of the horse. Especially the information on the back, where to position the neck, how the reins and bit can have an unintended effect is important and well presented. Dr. Heuschmann since has published a second book “Balancing Act”. Another good book. If you only want to buy one, get “Tug of War”. Dr. Heuschmann’s website is - http://www.gerdheuschmann.com/. Currently it seems to be only in German. I know he did have an English version.

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• Twisted Truths of Modern Dressage – Philippe Karl
  • Philippe Karl studied at the Cadre Noir (incidentally so did Jean Luc Cornille) and this book questions many “tried and true” training methods. He does make it very clear why he does not like some methods, how they can be detrimental to the horse and how our understanding of dressage has changed in the last 50 or so years. An interesting read, certainly eye opening - http://www.philippe-karl.com/

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• Classical Schooling with the Horse in Mind – Anja Beran
  • I had the great pleasure to meet Anja at one of her annual performances at Circus Krone in Munich. She certainly embodies the idea of lightness and correct riding with the horse in mind. This book takes you in logical progression from selecting a horse, through all training stages to Grand Prix movements. Well written and with many useful illustrations. Anja mostly trains out of her facility in Germany (good excuse for a trip) - http://www.anja-beran.com/

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• Falling for Fallacies – Jean-Claude Racinet
  • A very interesting book that questions many statements that are made day in and out by riding instructors across the globe. Mr. Racinet starts with the statement and then shows you why the reality might be quite different from common beliefs. Mr. Racinet passed away in 2009.

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• How your horse moves – Gillian Higgins
  • Gillian paints horses – specifically she paints muscles and bones onto the horse and then shows you how everything moves. A wonderful book to get a better idea of the placement of bones and muscles. If you wish to see it in motion – she has a great DVD as well - http://www.horsesinsideout.com