Rating:  Summary: Confusing? Possibly Review: Although Mr. Herberman is an excellent horseman and very obviously knows what he is doing and talking about, his book makes riding and training horses sound much more challenging than it needs to be. Most of the subjects in the book would be very clear in the first paragraph. Mr. Herberman wrote this book with good intentions, but this book is not for the beginner or even for most more experienced rider. It requires a good amount of paitence to sift through all of the necessary and unnecessary explanations.
Rating:  Summary: Superb. Review: Erik Herbermann has managed to do something very rare: he has written a book geared toward those at the lower levels of dressage (though advanced riders will doubtless find it equally helpful) that explores not only the basic concepts of seat, position, the exercises, and the aids, but also insists upon the horse's well-being. Herbermann's writing glows with love for this most noble of creatures, and his book teaches one not only dressage, but ART.Its technical side is equally good, with a very in-depth discussion of that most important of movements, the shoulder-in. I would recommend it to anybody who rides and loves horses.
Rating:  Summary: Excellent in depth source, but handy quick reference too! Review: Having recently started instructing a few people, I find that I'm reaching for this book to find new and better ways to explain basic concepts of seat and hands and position. The book is well written without being wordy, the explanations are clear and precise and I particularly like the point form format that it takes. its a very easy read without being condescending or complicated. I highly recommend this book to all horsemen and women, even if you are not interested in dressage. I found it refreshing that he illustrates various points on three different horses, none of which (by his own admission) are particularly ideally suited for dressage. this brings it down to the 'common mans' level, showing how you don't have to have a grand prix trained, expensive, high bred horse in order to achieve the same results. Definitely recommend this to anyone.
Rating:  Summary: Excellent in depth source, but handy quick reference too! Review: Having recently started instructing a few people, I find that I'm reaching for this book to find new and better ways to explain basic concepts of seat and hands and position. The book is well written without being wordy, the explanations are clear and precise and I particularly like the point form format that it takes. its a very easy read without being condescending or complicated. I highly recommend this book to all horsemen and women, even if you are not interested in dressage. I found it refreshing that he illustrates various points on three different horses, none of which (by his own admission) are particularly ideally suited for dressage. this brings it down to the 'common mans' level, showing how you don't have to have a grand prix trained, expensive, high bred horse in order to achieve the same results. Definitely recommend this to anyone.
Rating:  Summary: Wonderful! Review: Herr Herbermann has a wonderful attitude about horses, riding, and dressage: he has the utmost respect for the horse, and believes that dressage is nothing more than a way to make any horse healthier and happier. He stresses the importance of correct work from the beginning, without which the horse and rider cannot truly advance through the levels. The use of "short cuts" such as draw reins, martingales and big spurs ultimately turn out not to be short cuts at all. And riders must strive to be correct and consistent in their position, application of the aids, and sensitivity to the horse's mental state. I have mixed feelings about the style of the book, however. While its "outline" format, complete with numbered sections for easy cross-referencing, certainly presents the information in a straightforward and logical way, the extensive use of footnotes to clarify many points makes it more difficult to read -- I often ended up losing my place in the text after reading the footnotes. In general, though, this is my favorite book on dressage to date. I am recommending this to everyone I know who is interested in dressage, or just in the basic principles of good riding and horsemanship in general. Note that this book is not really a "how to ride dressage" text, in that it does not explain, for example, the correct aids for every movement. However, it does have something for everyone, from beginners to advanced riders.
Rating:  Summary: One of the Best Dressage Books Available Review: I have read at least 30 Dressage specific books and this one is my favorite. It is written with the most regard for the horse and in terms very easy to understand. It is also in a format that is easy to reference over and over. Definitely my most recommmended horse training book. The audio version is also a really "nice to have."
Rating:  Summary: A gem. Every barn should have a copy of this! Review: Look for the newly in print third edition, also available on this site. Want basics? Here they are, explain to perfection! This book is a wonderful introduction to dressage for the rider who is new to it, and also a fantastic meditation on the art for the experienced dressage rider. Herbermann's love of horses shines through in every line. This book reminded me why I started riding in the first place!
Rating:  Summary: Best of the best on classical riding Review: The amount of elaboration in this book about the true basics of classical riding makes it by far one of the best available dressage books on the market. The 'basics' does not make this book for amateurs, because even some advanced riders have not had the basics cleared. I was inspired by Herbermann's respect for the horse and his approach on making training more pleasurable for horses. His simple and clear instuction on the essence of classical riding makes it within reach of every rider. The first part of the book focuses on the rider's position and aids. Later on, collection and advanced work is described in detail. He doesn't get into very advanced stages though...flying changes, canter pirouettes, piaffe, passage, etc., are not covered. The book is about getting the basics right. The title of the book very much explains what it is about - the formula that will help you reach new heights with your horse. I recommend this book to every rider willing to give their horse more comfort and joy in dressage.
Rating:  Summary: To date, this is the best book on riding that I have read. Review: This book has become my riding bible! Erik Herbermann's dressage formula completely embodies the art of classical riding. He emphasises the need for precision and patience and so there are no "quick fixes" or interpretations that are so widely used.
This is a complete guide to riding properly and compassionately, and covers all the basics including detailed instructions on the riders seat and aids, instructions on how to get the horse "on the aids", explanations of the basic movements; including how to do them and why to do them, and how to identify problems.
It is very well written and no matter what level you are riding, I think anyone can gain something from this text.
Rating:  Summary: practical guidance from a classical master Review: This book is a fantastic practical guide for classical riders! Eric Herbermann is a long-time student of Egon von Neindorff, widely regarded as one of the great living classical masters. I have never ridden at von Neindorff's Reitinstitut, but my understanding from those who have is that Herbermann's book (approved by von Neindorff) reflects Reitinstitut teachings very closely. Straightforward, well-illustrated outline format sections on the seat, the aids, and correct basic work give wonderfully clear guidance to riders, while prose chapters on the philosophy and aims of classical horsemanship emphasize the spiritual values on which the art form is based. The section on the "most common position corrections" should be prominently posted in every dressage arena! This book concentrates on the stuff too few people talk about -- the years of work toward gaining a correct seat that must precede any truly classical riding, and the rewards along the way of watching your horses become happy and beautiful. Focus is on improving the average horse and working on correct basics, not movements. This is a great contrast from all the competition oriented books that focus on teaching movements to the superhorse and rider, without talking enough about the development of the basic work. Cannot praise this book highly enough. It is a practical bible for any classical rider.
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