Complete Book of the Horse & Rider [antikvár]

Introduction Written for all who are interested in horses and ponies, The Complete Book of the Horse and Rider is a valuable additional source of reference to the many excellent books on riding and horsemastership now available. This book makes it clear to the novice owner/rider who wishes to develop his or her knowledge and skill that there is no short cut to success. It emphasises that the primary requirement of those who ride must be to appreciate all that goes into maintaining the well-being ofthe horse and improving its condition. This should be every horseman's chief concern, and, if done with sympathy and understanding, will bring on an animal to be useful, obedient and contented. In the following pages the authors, with the aid of effective illustrations, explain some ofthe principles involved in looking after a horse. In doing so, they lead the reader through the various stages necessary, if success is to be achieved. The opening chapter deals with buying, a subject which to some may appear complex and best left to the more experienced. Buying a horse or pony does demand a certain amount of knowledge, and is important because the process can be cosdy when mistakes are made. The latter usually occur when the buyer is not certain ofthe type of horse required or is unclear in his own mind ofthe purpose for which the horse will be needed. The book goes on to deal with keeping an animal in a stable or at grass, and looks into the essential requirements to ensure that the hone receives proper care and attention throughout the year. Following chapters discuss common ailments and their treatment. how to clip and the different types of clips, the use of stable rugs, and the grooming routine. Feeding a horse or pony, an important consideration with regard to an animal's well-being, need not be as involved as many think. There are a number of basic rules for good feeding practice. Once these have been grasped, the responsibility of the owner/rider becomes far more straightforward. Saddlery and other essential equipment are dealt with in another chapter. The authors look at the selection available, how best to fit and use the various items required for a horse's protection and a rider's control, and how to care for leather and metal fittings. After explaining the importance ofthe work ofthe farrier and illustrating the way shoes are made, fitted and removed, the book moves into the technique of riding, beginning with a comprehensive study of exercising and schooling. Since no two hones or ponies are exactly alike, no hard and fast rules can be laid down concerning the nature or duration of exercise periods. However, this book pays particular attention to the needs of the horse and rider in order to establish an exercising routine and programme aimed at the work being asked ofthe horse. Many riders tend to be impatient to compete sometimes long before the correct preparation has been completed. The final chapters describe how to bring a horse forward for competitive riding, covering, for example, the training of a horse for jumping, whether over coloured poles or across country, as well as the demands put on a horse during the various disciplines of horse trials.