A Study of the Finer Points of Riding

This book takes the reader from the correct elementary training to the heights of classical equitation. This is a great book based on sound principles proved by practical experience. It describes in graphic detail what you should really understand before even thinking about mounting a horse, plus tips and guidelines on what you should know when you do mount a horse.

Wynmalen's irreplaceable contribution is in the respect he shows the horse and thus leading to understanding. His focus is on better communication and performance, not show success (although he had that too). He is a gentle, understanding, master at work. This book should be read by every horseman and is a must-read for everyone who professes to be a student or instructor in the Art of Dressage.

(softcover, photos, illustrations, 281 pgs.)

Excerpt from the book:

It is often thought that dressage - or the high-school rider - employs some complicated and mysterious system of his own, which no ordinary horseman could hope to understand and which would be useless for ordinary riding purposes at any rate.

That, of course, is not so.

The principles involved are extremely simple in themselves and apply just as much to the most elementary as to the most difficult work; there is not, basically, any difference of method between handling a new born foal and riding a Grand Prix Horse; it is merely a matter of degree. It is only the correct application of simple principles that becomes more complicated as the difficulty of the work increase.

Every horse must start from the bottom; so much is obvious to everyone. It is a great pity that so few horsemen appreciate that no one will ever go really far in the Art of Riding unless he has acquired an understanding of the basic elements involved. This can only be done by taking one's horses through all stages of breaking, making and schooling oneself.