The Art of Training: Lessons from a Lifetime With Horses

by Hans Von Blixen-Finecke, Tina Hutton (Illustrator)

This is the book that the author, former commandant of the Swedish Calvary School said he could not have written as a young man, but only after over sixty years of training horses and riders. It sets down in a wonderfully ordered fashion the Baron's training principles, based on a lifetime of observation, research, and experience. He covers the philosophy of training, biomechanics, what he calls the language of touch, the rider's technique and the link system. And there is full treatment of the movements, described as Purpose and Effect, with the wonderful addition of clear It's Gone Wrong When... and Your Can Prevent It By... headings for each movement. Frankly, these sections alone are so useful it's worth having this book always close at hand! The text is enhanced with clear drawings. For serious riders, this is one not-to- be missed!

176 pages, Hardcover

First published December 15, 1996