Ride With Your Mind: An Illustrated Masterclass in Right Brain Riding

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book
Review: For years I struggled with learning how my anatomy and my position on a horse effected the horse's movement. For the first time, it is explained in exquisite detail with easy to understand analogies. This book is not for the casual rider or the rider who is not willing to let go of the past and try something that seems to be radical. Riding with your mind does not mean your body doesn't work. I have never used so many muscles in so many ways on horseback. If you want a happily forward horse, with a relaxed back and a good attitude, follow Mary's methods. I have not found a horse or student that hasn't improved since I started studying her books. AND after endless years of discomfort I can finally sit the trot.

Rating:
Summary: Where has this been all my life?
Review: I have loved horses and have been riding all my life. I have worked hard on my riding, to make my aids clear and to respect the horse. After one reading of this book, I got on an older, retired show horse that we bought primarily to have someone gentle enough for friends to ride, and in just a couple of minutes she was transformed by how much better I was riding. She went from being slightly annoyed that she was having to work to being crisp and bright, and responding instantly to my newly-learned skills. She worked much better than she ever has for me. Wow.

When I read this book I was skeptical. Isn't riding about feeling? Won't I be too self-conscious and fail to attend to the horse and go with him if I "try" too hard? Turns out these beliefs are wrong, and the horse told me so.

The photos and descriptions are extremely helpful. I found this book easier to understand than Ride With Your Mind Essentials. You might think Essentials would be the place to start, but for me the drawings in Essentials were much less useful than the photos in this book, and much of the Essentials text was too brief and didn't explain enough--I wouldn't have understood if I hadn't read this book first.

Essentials has a number of additional pieces to the puzzle, and I think will be much harder work. So I'd recommend it too, just start with this one, especially if you have looked at Essentials and it seems intimidating to you.

Rating:
Summary: This book saved me!
Review: I highly recommend Mary Wanless and her teachings. I was at the point of quitting riding. It had become a torture for my horse and myself. I felt that because I wasn't naturally talented I was destined to never progress beyond the point I was at. A friend recommended I read Ride with your Mind: Masterclass after listening to my feelings. It was like a whole new world opened to me within the first few pages. I'm excited about riding again and my horse seems happier with my new attitude. Reading this book was the greatest gift I could have ever given myself and my horse.

Rating:
Summary: What exactly is "feel"? This book has the answers!
Review: This book is a touch repetitive, and occaisionally new-agey, which could put a lot of horsey people off, but I strongly suggest you persist. If you have "feel" problems this may change your whole perspective! It's also a great source of ideas for teachers with problem pupils, I'd recommend it for teaching people exactly why position does matter.

Rating:
Summary: This book saved me!
Review: This book turned the unknown and terrifying into the wonerful world of riding I know today. It is an easy to read, practical guide that you will not want to let out of your sight, and will want to read and refer to time and time again.

Rating:
Summary: An inspiration
Review: This book turned the unknown and terrifying into the wonerful world of riding I know today. It is an easy to read, practical guide that you will not want to let out of your sight, and will want to read and refer to time and time again.