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Rating: 
Summary: Every Horseperson Should Read This Book
Review: I recently attended a dressage clinic given by an international classical dressage master and 3 of the 8 so-called accomplished riders should have read this book first! This book is simply the best, most concise, clearly presented treatise on dealing with the innumerable terrifying possibilities every rider faces at some time in their riding careers. It encourages a pro-active approach to de-spooking horses before they know the multitude of things there are in the world to spook at -- like crossing water, whizzing bikes, too-friendly mothers wheeling baby carriages, waving baloons, flags and plastic bags, flapping tarps, barking, charging dogs, etc, etc, etc. To the uninitiated horse, most events outside of their stable yard are terrifying. It is the riders' responsibility to expose their horses to these terrors before disaster strikes so as to have a pleasurable, meaningful relationship with their horses. Too many people wait til they're dumped on their butt or even seriously injured to start this training and then the response is often abusive -- beating their horses for being afraid, which of course only makes them more afraid. I really appreciate the author's measured, systematic approach to the process of bombproofing. He emphasizes that first, the rider must have a secure seat and good, general riding abilities to cope with a fearful horse. Then he lays out many clear, descriptive exercises for bombproofing, both from the ground and under saddle. His approach is always sympathetic to both the rider and the horse; the book is sprinkled with humor and personal anecdotes and great, fun ideas for a "communal bombproofing day". Every horseperson should read this book!
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Summary: Wow! This book is really helping
Review: my relationship between my horse and I is improving, we are both more confident and enjoy our time together more!! I thought I knew what I was doing... but this book opened my eyes to new techniques. It is also easy to read and apply.
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Summary: Needs editing!
Review: There may be alot of good information here, but I was put off by the author's frequent referrals to the horse as the "beast" and
on one occasion referring to his "walnut size brain." It also needs proofreading--alot of simple errors an editor should have caught. Although the information seemed helpful, there are other approaches to the same problems using natural horsemanship training techniques which I find more useful and horse-friendly! I sent the book back.
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