What Do You Need To Become A Good Horseman?

by Barbara Ellin Fox

“The correct principles of equitation and horse training are in themselves simple and well defined, and easily within the comprehension of any intelligent mind. Unfortunately, these principles are so difficult to find in the mass of literature on equestrian subjects, and often so intermingled with inaccurate and abstruse statements, that the most earnest student in his search for them is frequently discouraged. … Continue Reading

Popularity: 84% [?]

The Society of the Military Horse

by Barbara Ellin Fox

Being a lover of horsemanship and history, I can visit The Society of the Military Horse and easily lose track of time for hours. I can’t think of another site that has such a huge collection of articles, facts and thoughts on line. The Society has a group of static page articles that paint a picture of horsemanship when the method of riding and training was beginning to develop in the U.S Military thru the time when the school at Fort Riley was the best in the world and good sportsmanship was as important as honor. … Continue Reading

Popularity: 69% [?]

Will the Real Cavalry Manual Please Stand Up?

by Barbara Ellin Fox

I have a passion for horse books, especially the older classics. They’re a wealth of information and are unencumbered by commercialism- at least most of them.

Lt. Col. Harry D. Chamberlin

I love to read Lt. Col. Harry D. Chamberlin and I almost enjoy his 1934 “Riding and Schooling Horses” more than his1938 “Training Hunters, Jumpers, and Hacks’. “Riding and Schooling” has a little more to do with the rider and since I teach, I find that more interesting. These are two books I would recommend for anyone’s equestrian library. They are easily understood and the old photos are terrific. Finding them requires a little on line research and some perseverance but it is well worth the investment in time.

… Continue Reading

Popularity: 48% [?]

“American Military Horsemanship” by J. Ottevaere

by Barbara Ellin Fox

If you’re interested in learning more about the history of riding in America, I suggest that you get a copy of James A. Ottevaere’s “American Military Horsemanship“, as it is one of the most informative books on the subject. The topic of the book is the military seat of the U.S. Cavalry.

James Ottevaere covers 150 years of military horsemanship in America from right after the Revolutionary War until the dismounting of the Cavalry in the ’40s. He compares the manuals and training guides that were used and the changes that were made in both the size and existence of the cavalry. J. Ottevaere also goes into no small detail about the equipment that was in use.

J. Ottevaere explains clearly how the balanced seat developed in “American Military Horsemanship” page 63: “The new American military seat would discard the notion of a single or universal position and posture for the rider in all types of military riding, and would instead prescribe adjustments that would accommodate the relative changes in the balance and center of gravity of both the horse and rider while in motion, at various gaits, and over obstacles and jumps. … Continue Reading

Popularity: 19% [?]

“Schooling and Riding the Sport Horse” by Paul D. Cronin

by Barbara Ellin Fox

This book is an updated version of Vladimir S. Littauer’s, “Common Sense Horsemanship”,  with additional topics added by the author.  If you want to know more about Forward Seat Riding, “Schooling and Riding the Sport Horse” is for you, and there is no one better to author it than Paul Cronin, student and friend of Capt. Littauer. Cronin has done a good job of “cutting to the chase “and organizing Littauer’s thoughts and method.  Unfortunately he has left behind Littauer’s ease of conversation and humor to develop a work that is more rigid and scholastic in its style. “Schooling and Riding the Sport Horse” is not a “learner’s” book but is a manual for the established horseman or woman.  It’s also good for the person who wants to distinguish between the current riding styles as it is  several generations up the evolution chain from Caprilli’s  original Forward Riding concept … Continue Reading

Popularity: 13% [?]