Enlightened Equitaiton Book

[Miriam]

Having just borrowed the book from a girl at the stables I managed to open it m up tonight whilst my little girl was having her five minute snuggle up time before bed with her dad. When it was time to put her to bed I did not want to put it down and that was only after the first few pages. What a good book it is. Hope I manage to put some of the advice to good use on Rhi (if I pinch her back off my daughter)


Miriam

[Yann]

Yup it's a very good read with something for every level in it. I tend to stick to the stuff near the front at the moment though:)
I also found an interesting little book recently about horse behavior called 'in harmony with your horse' by Clare Albinson, which describes what makes horses tick and whose underlying philosophy seems to be fairly similar to EE.

I love reading these books, it helps fill the yawning gap between the weekly lessons. Trouble is once I'm in the saddle it's hard to remember anything:( Must be great to just be able to take your time with a horse and try different things out...maybe one day

Yann

[Wally]

Heather's book certainly confirmed to me what I had never been sure about, but never, in my youth had the courage to challenge! It was like a breath of fresh air. So many times Heather approached subjects which I had questioned, and which common sense told me wasn't right. Heather confirmed many things which I had doubts about. It was like the fog lifting.

But having said this I still find BHSIs who will tell you that what Heather teaches isn't right. They are obviously too willing to be lead by the nose. Thank the Almighty for bold, confident, bloody minded folk like Heather.

[Miriam]

Well said Wally. I remember reading part of the book last night and though 'That sounds good. Will have to try it.' Even the girl I borrowed the book from said that many of the things Heather said worked.


Miriam

[Jo]

Hi

One of the pearls of wisdom from Heather's book that I have found surprisingly effective is her circle/turning aid. Advancing the hip as Heather suggests works like magic - even on unschooled horses! I was also delighted to find that, despite numerous repetitions at doing it the BHS way, I found it incredibly easy to make Heather's way instinctive. It is heartening that bad habits, after all, can quite easily be eradicated.

I shall read the book a third time and no doubt another piece of advice will strike me and improve my riding.

[Dizzy]

I'm looking forward to trying Heather's way of turning. I have been taught to think of the turning/halt aids as imaging I'm sat in the middle of a clock face. Advance to 12 for halt/half halt, 3 for right turn and 9 for left, for turning also looking with imaginary eyes in the middle of my chest in the direction I want to go. I must admit I've had a good response riding like this, but have heard from others on this board that they get a better/more refined response from Heather's aid.

Her book is the best I've ever read, she has explained why some of things I have been taught are confusing to the horse, and also why other things I do do, work! Her book has taught me to question everything and instead of taking for granted that the horse has/has not responded, understanding why.

Lesley