Rating: 
Summary: Excellent book!
Review: Along with providing excellent training information, Herr Zettl repeatedly stresses respect and love for the horse. Everyone who has borrowed this book from me has ultimately purchased a copy for themselves!
Rating:
Summary: Awesome! Brilliant!
Review: Herr Zettl really knows this subject and does an amazing job tranlating complex dressage ideals into easy to understand (and follow through with) concepts. There are "Ah Ha's!" and "Ohhh, so that's why...." on just about every page.
Rating:
Summary: An indispensible handbook for the serious dressage student.
Review: High readability and clear simple explanations make this book a standout. Zettl has helped me grasp concepts that have eluded me for years. A brilliant book.
Rating:
Summary: An eye opener
Review: I am a beginnining dressge rider and look to people for guidence and understanding of our fellow friend, the horse. This book made me realize what to do, but more importantly, what not to do when dealing in the training of my horse. It is very deep but also so simple that while riding and having problems I can look in Walter Zettl book and find an approiate solution to force and fighting. No one should be without this book if you truly love your horse and the challenges of dressage.
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Summary: A beautiful testament to a great rider's love of horses
Review: I have nothing much to add to what others have said about this book, except to second their rave reviews. This may be my favorite dressage book in the whole world .... or a very close second to Alois Podjasky's My Teachers, my Horses. Walter Zettl's deep knowledge of the subject and true love of horses radiantes from every page of this book. As one of the riders for whom this book was written -- toiling away in the Western U.S. with few other riders to watch or study with, and this book has been a revelation, this book has given so many insights into problematic areas, so many vindications of the vague "feelings" you need to rely on when you are forced to ride alone. I thank the author -- and more important, my horses thank him! Any horseperson will benefit from this book -- and for dressage riders it is a godsend!
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Summary: changed my view of riding
Review: I sat and began to read this book and did not put it down til the end. I have been ridin dressage (and jumpers) for years but never truely felt the 'art' of it. Through his gentle words i have now found a new place to ride from. Iapproach things muhc more gently- and recieve so muhc more from my horses. When something is not right- or i have a student and i wish to teach somethign to them this book lays it out in plan language, half halt with this rein, weight this seat bone, ask NOW and it works. IT's written so my beginner students can understand it. It is my new bible of riding and has inspired me to travel cross country to go seet his man in action!
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Summary: It is just like attending one of his lessons
Review: I've been fortunate enough to attend private lessons given by this great teacher and can only say that this is the way I want to learn. He is gentle and encouraging, but firm -- and not a little demanding, requiring us to do our best, and to bring out the best in our horses -- but it is his love of horses that shines through. It matters not whether you are a beginner on a green horse or an advanced rider on a budding champion, he is the teacher you want. I saw stiff green horses relax and blow happily, and nervous riders smiling as they felt the changes in their horses and themselves. The German training system can seem daunting to us Americans used to hurrying along and getting results fast, but he makes us understand how to build trust, and build movement from that. It will take time, but with Zettl, you will succeed, and more importantly perhaps, you will enjoy the ride, and so will your horse.
Rating:
Summary: Dressage you can learn from a book!
Review: There is something about the 'master horsemen' that makes them more than great riders. Walter Zettl and Alois Podhajsky are two of my favourites. They explain dressage, riding, horses and horsemanship with clarity, passion and detail so that you really can learn a lot of lessons by reading their books. This book will provide you with detailed explainations of dressage movements, aids and training, as well as commenting on common faults and how to address them. Like all the masters Herr Zettl discusses the development of a dressage horse and provides a logical framework for progression (and frequent warnings on the hazards of taking shortcuts).
Rating:
Summary: Dressage you can learn from a book!
Review: There is something about the 'master horsemen' that makes them more than great riders. Walter Zettl and Alois Podhajsky are two of my favourites. They explain dressage, riding, horses and horsemanship with clarity, passion and detail so that you really can learn a lot of lessons by reading their books. This book will provide you with detailed explainations of dressage movements, aids and training, as well as commenting on common faults and how to address them. Like all the masters Herr Zettl discusses the development of a dressage horse and provides a logical framework for progression (and frequent warnings on the hazards of taking shortcuts).
Rating:
Summary: The best equestrian book out there.
Review: This is, by far, the best and easiest-to-understand book on dressage that I have read! I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to understand how to train your horse in a non-confrontational manner up the levels of dressage. This book is a must read for novice or advanced readers!
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