Light in the Saddle, Practices and Principles for Horses and Humans

Book excerpt: The first two volumes in the series complement each other. One focuses on how horses behave and learn (ethology) while the other addresses how they move (biomechanics). Understanding and establishing cross species communication is the basis for all the work in the first book. The second book covers the next step in schooling the horse, using lungeing to develop the horse’s physical strength and coordination so they can carry us around without injuring themselves. Horses and humans see the world very differently. Both have to make an effort in order to be able to communicate with each other. Practical exercises help us humans learn how to use our body language to communicate with horses. Insights into the horse’s point of view show how the many small interactions of daily handling are essential to building a solid reliable foundation for further schooling. Keywords – Stable, Horse, Ground Training, Halter, Baths, Bandages, Hooves, Horsemanship, Equine, Rider, Schooling Your Horse, Horse Training