Natural Western Riding

by Don Blazer, Cathy Hanson

Natural Western Riding gives you every rein position, every leg aid, every weight shift cue and every foot-fall sequence for every western exercise. Endorsed by trainers and used as text in college equine programs, this book has been revised, updated and expanded with a special section, Mastering Trail Courses. Written by columnist/trainer Don Blazer, Natural Western Riding set the western riding standard for more than 25 years. Now the newest edition leads the way into a new century, bringing clarity and great confidence to any rider seeking to experience the joy of understanding and that perfect partnership. World class trainer Cathy Hanson, rider and trainer of trail class champions, guides the reader step by step to mastering trail courses. She explains how to measure steps, the keys to each obstacle, all about cadence, your horse's job and how to show off for the judges. The book is filled with special training tips and is highlighted by more than 40 demonstration photographs. Natural Western Riding is the book for the modern rider who wants clear, concise, comprehensive information.

157 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1979

Reviews

[Suzanne]

This book is a bit older now, and I don’t mind saying the content is too advanced for me. I do like reading riding books beyond my level in hopes to learn. The book has a lot of good information. I wish it had given a few more very basic tips about cues. It’s harder to understand variation from a cue when I’m not entirely clear on the regular use. The part I disliked the most was the author’s constant put downs of the more classical style of riding. It’s different with Western, we get that, but different styles have different purposes and one is not better or worse. He constantly referred to Western riders using classical style over natural as incorrect, and I think this topic could have been covered in a less argumentative way.

[Jess]

I agreed with some of the information in there, yet also disagreed with some of it. Read it as my professor in class is the author.