Quote

Ain't nuthin like ridin' a fine horse in a new country - Augustus McCrae – Lonesome Dove

Recommendations

First on my list of must have, or must read more than once - is the book above, a gift to me from my amigo Dean.   After my major accident in 2003, I was riding scared - even on Jas.  Of course & didn't follow anyone's advice & bought Khari!  She was green, I was scared, it wasn't a good combination.  Dean took on the mare's training but only with the caveat that Butch would agree to his re-training of me!  What did I think of this...  Well... is it possible to be more scared?  :-)   Like... who isn't scared of him?  The first & most major change he made, was the saddle.  The first time I sat in one of his - I felt - for the first time ever on a horse secure.

I'm going to continue to promote his philosophy, as I think it's as relevant today - if not more so - than in the past.  Until you actually ride in one of these saddles, you can't understand the difference it makes in the ability to control your horse.  Riding - is all about control.  When you are in control - your horse senses it & you would be amazed at the difference it makes in their attitude under saddle.  (More later!) 

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If you enjoy horse books as much as I do - then you'll really enjoy;  The Eighty-Dollar Champion;  Snowman, the Horse That Inspired a Nation.

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Wisdom from a master horseman

Jack is a Horseman in every sense of the word.   His books are available from his web site at; http://www.jackbrainard.com/index.html

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Feel lucky indeed to have met & had the opportunity to learn from Mark Bolender.  Even if you have no desire to ride mountains or "extreme" trail - this book is full of good advice to help you give your horse the opportunity to excel.