Langrish
226 pages
Spiral

Editor's Description: This excellent reference book is well organized and clearly designed, but more importantly, it contains valuable information about how horses are put together and how their onformation affects their performance. Author and veterinarian Nancy Love reveals this information in a concise and highly readable format. Her text helps the reader put each conformation characteristic into perspective. Under each chapter are discussed different physical characteristics, such as "Short Back" or "Hollow Behind Withers." Each characteristic is fully explained on two facing pages. On the left is the text. This includes a description, lists breeds and activities most affected, performance consequences and training
strategies. Dr. Loving concludes with a list of jobs best suited for this kind of horse. The facing page always shows three to four excellent color photographs accompanied by detailed captions. Nancy Loving, DVM is founder of the Loving Equine Clinic in Boulder, CO, where she specializes in the
care of sport horses. She is also a columnist for Horse Illustrated magazine. The photographs, mostly taken by equine photographer Bob Langrish, show a tremendous scope of horses and activities (T.B.) HIGHLIGHTS - Head and neck - Body: withers, back, loins and croup - Front legs - Feet - Hindquarters - Balance - Movement definitions.

Item #: BK743

Imus
265 pages
Hardcover

Editor's Description: Author Brenda Imus is passionate about gaited horses. Ride one once, she insists, and you'll be hooked. She was. Their smooth sure-footed gaits, their calm easy-going manner, their trustworthiness and willingness to please are irresistible qualities. But since her head-over-heels love affair began, she's noticed a glaring gap in books on the topic of training them geared toward the everyday horse owner---those looking for a comfortable trail horse, gentle family horse or sound show horse. This book offers an historical background on each breed of gaited horse. These sections include information about foundation stock and influential individual horses and trainers within each breed. The ideal
conformation of each breed is described and explained, as well as each breed's unique temperament qualities, common problems and training suggestions. For more detailed information on selecting and training the naturally gaited horse by strictly humane methods, see Imus' book, "Gaits of Gold." Both books are much needed references in an industry badly in need of reform. Imus has certainly done her part to urge conscientious, principled and independent thinkers---the kinds of people, who originally developed many gaited breeds---to take up the reins of a gaited horse today.

Item: BK744

Harris

Not all horses move equally well.  At the heart of this book is what is natural and common to all breeds.  Lifelong horsewoman Susan E. Harris covers the following topics:  basic structure and anatomy, the cycle of moement, gaits and transitions, balance and movement, poor movement, flexion, bending and lateral movement, conformation and movement, and shoeing and movement.

160 pages, 7-1/2 x 9-1/2 (Hardcover)

Item #: BK62

Johnson

Information essential for anyone heading into the backcountry with a horse.  Valuable details and tips to make the wilderness experience better than ever for beginners and seasoned packers alike.  Easy to understand and thoroughly illustrated with direction for selecting and training the horse, illustrated knot and sling tying, saddling and loading, camp setup and safety clues.

114 pages, 8-1/2 x 11 (Paperback)

Item #: BK608

Jackson

Jaime Jackson has been a professional farrier and horseman for 22 years. But it was over 10 years ago that he headed alone into America's wild horse country, hoping to find a humane, "natural" model for domestic horse care. Frustrated by the way horses are often mistreated by their owners, Jackson felt much of this resulted from misunderstanding the nature of the horse. What Jackson discovered is that horses do indeed have a natural order, and that knowledge can be applied in truly helpful ways to our domestic horses. In a thoughtful, systematic approach, Jackson lays out his revolutionary ideas about natural horse care in this remarkable book. In the first chapters, the reader steps through wild horse country with Jackson as guide, and is drawn into the nuances of social structure, locomotion and gaits, and the hooves-which Jackson states with authority, "are terribly misunderstood in the domestic horse world." Having armed the reader with a solid foundation of the horse's natural world, Jackson then challenges the reader and nearly every major principle of modern horse care, to "apply what we have learned." The final chapters demonstrate step-by-step what horsemen
and horsewomen can and should do.

From hoof care and balanced riding in concert with the horse's natural abilities, to new forms of communication and humane care, The Natural Horse challenges conventional horse care on every front. First published in 1992 and just re-released in a handsome new edition, The Natural Horse is a must for those interested in applying natural methods to the care of their
horses.

172 pages, 8-1/2 x 11 (Paperback)

Item #: BK61

Bob Hoverson

THE PACKER'S FIELD MANUAL - FEATURING THE DECKER PACK SADDLE - With photographic illustrations by Roger Inghram. The Packer's Field Manual is in a big format for ease in taking it into the field. Written by the recognized "top expert" in the country on packing on mules or horses with a Decker Pack Saddle, this book is intended to provide "state of the art" basic instruction on the subject. From the selection of pack stock on to the basics of Decker saddles, pads and tack, author Bob Hoverson takes you through the entire packing process step-by-step - using text and photographs to show the process. He also covers, chapter-by-chapter, the various hitches used in Decker packing, ropes, knots and splicing, caring for your tack, and other useful information on such subjects as feeding, shoeing, vaccinations and worming, dental care, stock first aid, and dealing with brand and health inspections. Hoverson also covers in detail one of his favorite subjects - the use of equipment and techniques so the wilderness horse traveler will leave only tracks and make low impact on the land. 186 black & white photographs, numerous illustrations.

192 pages
6 x 9 inch
Paperback
1-931291-42-X

Item #: BK752

Elser & Brown

Jammed with good pictures, illustrations, and advice on just about anything you'd want to know about packing in and camping.  For those who yearn to pack in the wilderness country of the West, either on their own mules and horses or those of a professional packer, here is a book that takes the mystery out of backcountry pack string travel.  By teaching you the tricks of the trade, professional outfitter Smoke Elser show how your trip will be easier and more enjoyable by knowing more about the animals used and why, and how they carry their loads as they do.

168 pages, 8-1/2 x 11 (Paperback)

Item #: BK140

Burns

480 pages
8 1/2 x 10 7/8
Two-color depth
Paperback

This unique, user-friendly, A-to-Z guide to the horse world covers breeds, tack, facilities, equine care and management, health and safety issues, riding styles and disciplines, shows, stable lore, horse professionals and what they do, and more.

Item #: BK794

Dutson

416 pages
8 1/2 x 10 7/8
Full-color photographs and illustrations
Paperback

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO IMAGINE the history of North America without the horse. For more than 500 years, horses have served as workers and warhorses, as companions and partners. In this first-ever comprehensive tribute, equestrian author and expert Judith Dutson captures the spirit of these noble animals and provides a wealth of information about each breed's particular history, special uses, conformation standards, and much more. Handsome, full-color action photographs and explanatory drawings enliven every page.

This 96-breed panorama covers North America's remarkable diversity of horse breeds, from the popular and well known to the rare and obscure.

Item #: BK792

General William H. Carter

Class, hard work, and attention to detail, in addition to supreme athletic ability, patience, and keen intellect, is only the beginning of a long list of requirements to be a rider of a U.S. cavalry horse. Many would sneer at the excessive care these men insisted on giving their horses and the discipline they needed to ensure that proper means were taken, and the safest procedures followed, every single day. First published in 1895, this book was intended to be a better handbook of instruction for teaching some of the elementary facts and principles essential to the well-being and efficiency of the mounted branches of the military. A horse is capable of long and valuable service, but only if it is selected carefully and trained and cared for properly. In these pages, General Carter combines theory and practice so that readers are able to fully understand the necessity of taking care of their steed at all times, whether at war or peace. General Carter explains all of the benefits such precautions and maintenance provide and warns against less than ideal conditions, detailing the rise in cost and detriment to performance that less than supreme care will render. Illustrated throughout with black-and-white photographs and line drawings, The U.S. Cavalry Horse will be an important addition to any equestrian library.

First edition, Paperback, 6 x 8, 416 pages

Item #: BK921

Bryant

352 pages
9 x 10
Full-color photographs and illustrations
Hardcover with jacket

Dressage is a sport of precision and harmony whose participants aspire to meet a rigorous standard of perfection. The classical ballet of horsemanship, dressage is a graceful dance between horse and rider that demands flawless communication, coordination, and timing. Myriad details, when done well, and seamlessly combined, appear effortless and make the horse look his most beautiful.

Beginning with a detailed history of classical horsemanship, Bryant explains the origins of dressage; necessary dressage attire, tack, and equipment; and how to best approach training. She guides you in locating a qualified instructor, then explains what to expect in your first lesson, the importance of the training scale, and the subtleties of the three basic gaits. She also provides a solid overview of basic dressage movements and useful lessons that will help you and your horse learn as a team.

Whatever your primary equestrian discipline, dressage is an ideal way for you to increase your self-awareness and to enhance your relationship with your horse. It can be a rewarding lifelong journey. Enjoy every minute!

Item #: BK793