Les séminaires de John Lyons présentent chaque année à des dizaines de milliers de cavaliers, une philosophie de dressage au succès garanti; sa méthode éprouvée de dressage repose sur le principe que les chevaux sont des animaux "à réponses conditionnées" et que les principes du dressage doivent, en conséquence, être fondés sur le bon sens et la logique.
Privilégiant la compréhension, la communication et la persuasion plutôt que la force, John Lyons traite tous les aspects essentiels du dressage: seller et monter pour la première fois, travailler au sol ou en promenade. Il y évoque aussi avec précision les divers problèmes auxquels les dresseurs se trouvent confrontés: les chevaux qui bottent, ceux qui encensent, ceux qui mordent, ceux qui paniquent... John Lyons explique également en détail, sa méthode efficace d'entraînement et de dressage dans un corral circulaire. Il nous apprend aussi comment faire monter sans risque et sans problème votre cheval dans un van.
Cet ouvrage regorge de conseils pratiques, intelligents et précieux à tous les cavaliers et dresseurs. Qu'ils pratiquent l'équitation classique ou Western, ils découvriront avec émerveillement les techniques révolutionnaires expliquées tout au long des chapitres.
reread this book as I used John Lyon's philosophies in training many years ago when starting my first horses. It's been a while since I've started a horse from scratch and wanted to have a refresher. It was good to go over the pages again. I learned new things and a few more subtle techniques. I feel reassured that I am doing all right with my young horse and we will make a fine team as we continue to train.
If you are interested in training horses you should read or as I did, reread the book. Mr. Lyon's has plenty of good information to share.
This is my favorite horse training book. Mr. Lyons knows his stuff and his methods are sound, safe, easy on both the horse and trainer/rider. I've used his techniques and THEY WORK. Mr. Lyons uses behavior modification methods, i.e., condition-response, in his training. He says that the best training tool you have is right at the end of your arm--your hand. Praise, pat, rub, scratch. Amen to that!
Covers:
1. My Philosophy on Horses 2. Round-Pen Reasoning 3. Halter Breaking and Leading 4. Facing Fear 5. Sacking Out 6. The First Saddling 7. The First Ride 8. The First Few Rides 9. Ground Training 10. Improving out Trail Work 11. Advancing the Trail Work 12. Beginning Arena Work 13. Leads and Cues 14. Successful Trailer Loading
Mr. Lyons' website also has coordinating videos/CD with most of the contents of this book. They are well worth the money!
Great training book. However I would recommend reading his book "Bringing Up Baby" before reading this one. Bringing up baby gives very specific instructions and gives you an idea of how John's methods work. Reading this book after helped me to better understand why I wad doing something, and since this book is not about step by step instructions, I could figure out for myself what steps I needed to take to get to my goal.
OK I did not read the round pen section because I do not have a round pen, but this author does not seem to join the crowd of recent trainers who advocate chasing your horse around until he is so out of breath he submits. John Lyons uses release of pressure to condition the horse to respond and trains with safety, calmness, and pleasure as his goals.
Though John Lyons seems like a knowledgeable horseman, I'm wary of horse trainers that assert their method is the only method. I was hoping this would part from the Parelli, Clinton Anderson, etc. trendiness, but this was just another one of those books.
It was a refresher since I have worked with his methods before but it helps having a break and coming back into it with a refresher on the method. Love it!