With the holidays coming up and with most of us on tight budgets, why not share some insight into horse books and DVD's that we have collected? Nothing is worse than spending money on a new book or DVD, getting home and finding out that it isn't what we expected. Wouldn't it be nice to know what some of them are like before we ask for them as gifts or gift them to another horse maniac?
These three books are books that have been gifted to me by my mother and I LOVE them. I have found beneficial training methods in each of them and refer to them regularly.
Pole Bending...
There aren't many books or DVD's on training pole bending horses out there. I did get Megan a Pole Bending DVD...it sucked! But this book...it is fantastic. It has a lot of exercises and diagrams included in it. His explanations of ideal footfalls and correct strides is phenomenal. If you know the basics of pole bending, it can really help you advance. It can only be ordered online, just google the title and you can find it. This is probably a book a more advanced rider would appreciate. A beginner could definitely learn from it, but the techniqual discussions of the stride and footfall might be a bit overwhelming.Barrel Racing...
I like Charmayne...she is just a real quiet person, who obviously cares a lot about the horses she trains and campaigns. Not too many other people have ever kept a horse going as long as she did Scamper, so anything she says about how to keep a horse sound, healthy and sane is gospel in my book. She has lots and lots of info on how to go from the start of training, through the green horse faze and on into finishing a horse. She acknowledges common problems that arise as a horse progresses and shows you how to work through them. Excellent for anyone from beginning to advanced.The Wright's...
This book is probably for a more advanced rider. There are a lot of good exercises and advice, but there is the assumption that the rider understands the necessary and correct body position for themselves and the horse. That being said, I love the book and reference it often. I don't know if this book is still in publication, but if anyone is interested in it the number to the publisher is 254-968-3661(as listed in the copy I have).The only other "training" book I have is the new one I bought for Megan as a Christmas present. Since we are relatively inexperienced in English and Jumping training, I glanced through this book and really liked all of the exercises provided. It is "Schooling With Ground Poles" by Claire Lilley. I've only been able to read snippets of it because I have had to keep it hidden, but from what I have read I think it will benefit both of us.
As far as DVD's...I'm a reader. My mom has a beginning reining horse DVD, that I watched once...I don't remember the title, so will have to get back to you on that. But if anyone has some good DVD's throw them out there too.
So I am tagging everyone who reads this post to go forth and share your best and worst reference material...
9 comments:
There is a newer edition of the pole bending book called More 19 Second Pole Bending. Has a little more in it. Which DVD sucked?
See, I wish we lived closer, I could help you out with the hunt seat and you could help me out with the barrel racing. Sigh...
I will have to look into some of those. We need help with poles and barrels. I can get a horse to collect and slow lope, but I can't seem to get it right running at super fast speed around three cans. It's harder than it looks.
I watched the Stacy Westfall clinic in October and loved her. I want to buy her DVDs b/c they are not as expensive as some and one of them comes with a pocket book of drills. A few of the drills she did at her clinic were really cool and effective so while I have not actually watched her DVDs, I would think they should be good!
I have Shawn Flarida's (and Craig Schmersals) Good as Gold DVDs and thought that they were just ok. I guess they wrote a "World Class Reining" Western Horseman book but I have not read it. I also have the old Al Dunning videos that are a little old school but still worth watching.
Great idea - I was drooling over the horse section in Barnes & Noble last weekend, but walked out empty handed (well, coffee & three paperbacks, but no horse items) because I couldn't decide what looked worth paying for.
Anon...Already a new edition? Wow, I just got mine last Christmas. I'm looking through catalogs to see if I can find the PB DVD that I didn't like...will post the name as soon as I locate it.
Andrea...Pick up the Charmayne James book. Anyone who understands how to train a WP or HUS horse will appreciate her soft and steady approach and gradual building of speed.
Horse Crazed...Stacy's DVD's are on my "wish list" this Christmas. That is another lady I have a lot of respect for!
The DVD on Pole Bending that I did not care for was "Pole Bending with Marlene Eddleman-McRae". It would probably be of interest to someone who is just getting into Pole Bending, but I did not find anything new or revolutionary for myself. I have one specific problem with my pole runs-I consistently blow out the 2nd end pole turn(the one where you come back around to weave through the poles the opposite direction).
Hmm, I've had More 19 for several years.
The MEMcR dvd - gal isn't articulate enough. And her talk doesn't match her walk!
Here's a neat trick: watch a video once, then watch it again without sound to see what they are REALLY doing. For students, run it a third time and have them supply the commentary. Great for a group of mixed skill-levels as well as revealing.
Great idea!
I have read the Charmyane James BR book and I agree she is awesome! I don't own it, just referenced a friends! I will have to check into the PB book. I too have problems with the 2nd pole, UGH!
I too would LOVE to have the Stacey WEstfall collection of books and DVDs.
Excellent idea here BECG. I'll dig through the trunk and see what I have for you. I'll even try to find some stuff that is NOT hoof or anatomy related ;)
I have a tough time learning things just through a book alone- IE: reading things is GREAT, but putting it into effect needs me to SEE it done (several times usually) and I can "duplicate" the results. So being able to read something plus watch a DVD would be wicked awesome for me... but there are none that I have found that have grabbed me yet... have to look harder ;)
Smack Shooters hams from me too please... hehe
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