Horse Gaits, Balance, and Movement

by Susan E. Harris

Based on decades of practical experience, as well as classic horsemanship theory, this book will teach anyone (from novices to experienced riders) the essentials of a horse s structure, natural balance and way of moving. All horses whether a dressage horse or a hunter have the same anatomy, locomotion and nature. Understanding horse movement makes training, and riding, simpler and less frustrating for both horse and rider, as well as helping the health of the horse. This is an exhaustive guide Find out how balance and conformation affect movement. View flexion, bending and lateral movements. See the impact of shoeing and riding on movement. Discover practical tips to improve your horse's movement

Genres: Horses, Nonfiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1993

About the author

Susan E. Harris is an international clinician, riding teacher, equestrian author and artist from Cortland, New York. She has taught all seats and styles of riding, and has trained, shown, and prepared horses and riders for competition in many equestrian disciplines, including hunters, jumpers, dressage, equitation, eventing, western pleasure and performance, saddle seat, and the pleasure and versatility breeds. Susan directed 5-H Acres School of Horsemanship, a nationally accredited riding instructor school for 10 years, taught college equine studies and physical education equitation courses, and has been active in training and establishing certification standards for American riding instructors since the l970's. In 2004 she was honored as a Master Instructor by the American Riding Instructor Association.

A Senior Centered Riding Instructor and Clinician, Susan apprenticed with Sally Swift, the founder of Centered Riding®. She teaches clinics in Centered Riding and in Horse Gaits, Balance, and Movement for instructors, trainers, judges, and riders of all levels and riding interests. Susan's demonstrations, "Anatomy in Motion™: The Visible Horse", in which she paints the bones and muscles on a live horse, and "Anatomy in Motion: The Visible Rider™" have been popular attractions at equine expos and clinics across North America and around the world, including EquineAffaire, Equitana Australia, the American Quarter Horse Congress, the George Morris Horsemastership Clinic at Wellington, FL, and others.

Susan Harris is the author and illustrator of popular horse books, including Horsemanship in Pictures, Horse Gaits, Balance, and Movement, Grooming to Win, the three U.S. Pony Club Manuals of Horsemanship, and the USPC Guides to Longeing, Bandaging, and Conformation. She writes a regular column in EQUUS Magazine, Commonsense Horsemanship with Susan Harris. With Peggy Brown, she produced two DVDs: Anatomy in Motion™ I: The Visible Horse, and Anatomy in Motion II: The Visible Rider™. Susan designed the art for the Breyer Anatomy in Motion model horse, and has illustrated many popular horse books.

Susan's study of equine and human anatomy and movement as an artist as well as an instructor, rider and trainer, has given her a unique perspective on how horses and riders balance and move together. Centered Riding techniques can help riders discover how to use their bodies better for improved balance and harmony between horse and rider. Susan's knowledge of horse gaits and movement and wide experience in various breeds and disciplines enable her to help all kinds of riders and horses improve their balance, comfort, movement and performance. Her friendly and positive teaching style and visual approach help to make learning clear, understandable, and enjoyable for English and Western riders of all ages and levels, from 4-H, Pony Club and pleasure riders to instructors, trainers, and competitors. When not traveling, teaching or writing, Susan enjoys dressage, jumping, and trail riding...

Reviews

[Susan Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book for guidance in what best movements should look like. There are great examples of both good and bad movements with beautiful illustration to get the point across.

I especially liked the short paragraph on transitions. Emphasis on learning footfalls & developing “feel” and timing in asking for transitions is key.

The chapter on balance and movement taking center of balance into consideration is also very good in remembering that you have two separate bodies moving as one with different balance & centers of gravity.

The chapter on improving your horses movements is also well done. Excellent tips & ideas to help horse & rider improve their work.

[Keith Hosman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely indispensable book for equestrians who want to really understand the characteristics (the the foot-fall patterns, etc.) of all the classic movements "common to all breeds. It's as much a "how-to" book as it is a "this is what your horse will look like or how it'll carry himself" book.

You'll hear phrases all the time like half pass, full pass, haunches-in, shoulders-in, etc. - and you might ride for years "kinda" knowing what they should look like - but put this book on your shelf - and you'll find yourself referencing it constantly for as many years as you ride because it shows you exactly what you're looking for. "How much neck bend?" "Should the shoulders lead the hips or is it the other way around?" "Is this leg supposed to cross in front of that one - or it the other way around?" It can very quickly make you the go-to person at the barn for answers to such questions.

I couldn't recommend this book higher - it's a constant "go-to" for me because, while the ability to "google" something online these days has curtailed the need for many reference books, this book is full of diagrams and drawings that would be near-impossible to find online in such a trusted context.

[Dena Burnett]

This book sparked my passion for biomechanics and how I've already applied it to conformation without knowing it. Good read if you're into that sort of thing.

[Abigail Wilkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this book so much i got the revised edition and it is amazing! i would recommend this book to any horse rider.