How Your Horse Wants You to Ride: Starting Out, Starting Over

by Gincy Self Bucklin

Book Overview

Learn to ride correctly, safely, and confidently

In this breakthrough guide, renowned riding expert Gincy Self Bucklin offers adult riders a unique, proven method for developing a good physical, mental, and emotional relationship with a horse. Whether you're a beginner, a more experienced rider looking to enhance your skills, or someone who used to ride but is reluctant to try again, Bucklin's step-by-step exercises-slowly and carefully practiced...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764570994
• ISBN13: 9780764570995
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: Howell (TP)
• Length: 414 Pages
• Weight: 2.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.1" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Recommended reading for riding lessons

This is a good resource for anyone beginning or returning to riding lessons.

The Best!

Returning to riding after many years away from horses, I was injured just when I was starting to get my confidence back. This added an element of fear that I hadn't ever had to deal with before. I haven't even finished reading it yet, but have been working on the program outlined in the book and it has been the most wonderful help for building confidence. When I'm following the instructions in How Your Horse Wants You to Ride I always feel safe. I've never met the author, but it seems as if the book was written just for me. I'm very glad I found it, and will definitely be buying Gincy Bucklin's other books.

So Glad I Found This Book

Gincy's Book How Your Horse Wants You to Ride: Starting Out, Starting Over, is a true gem! So many books seem to assume you know a lot already, where as this book really starts with the basics and allows you to progress very quickly with confidence. Throughout the book Gincy gives exercises that you can do by yourself or with a partner. These exercises allow you to feel what the horse feels when ridden incorrectly versus correctly. This is a real eye opener, suddenly it all starts to make sense. I thought sitting tall was for my appearance and posture, now I understand how my position affects the horses ability to do his job and more importantly I understand WHY. I have found that the Seven steps which Gincy teaches can be used for more than just riding. Although I have been riding for six years, I never really felt safe and secure with my abilities. Since starting over with this book, I am very confident in what I have accomplished and I am confident enough to take it slow, and at my own pace. Both my horse and myself are so grateful to Gincy for writing her books and I highly recommend this one for all riders, there is something in it for everyone.

Excellent Value

This book will work for riders at any level. The author presents essential, practical information in clear, understandable language. Some of this material is found in other books, but written in vague terms, or reserved for the advanced rider. The author compiles many ideas in one place, and gives the information concisely to the reader at all levels, so that incorrect habits can be corrected or prevented. The ideas are presented with case studies, visuals, and hands-on learning tools, not just as abstract theories. The book will be invaluable to the riding instructor as well, as it offers alternative ways to explain basic concepts to students with different learning styles. Whether you wish to add to an extensive library, or on a budget that restricts you to only a few books, this is one to have in your hands.

Worth it's weight in gold

Rarely do "how to" books come along that not only tell a person what to do but also why it works to do it that way. How Your Horse Wants You To Ride is one of those rare books. Bucklin not only provides step-by-step methods for developing and enhancing riding and horsemanship skills, but clearly and engagingly explains why those steps work. Her explanations and instructions are easy to read and understand, and photos and illustrations provide detail. All that's needed for success is a willingness to learn. If a rider cares to become more than just a passenger on a horse's back, this is the book to have. With over 400 illustrated pages, small font and pithy writing, this text quality book is the gold standard for the student of horse/human relationships. Recommended additional reading: Bucklin's companion book, What Your Horse Wants You to Know.

Literally starting over!

I have ridden horses since I was a young child. I thought I was a good rider. Bless the horses who have continually forgiven me all of my riding blunders. Now it is my turn to return their kindness by becoming a better rider. I am currently taking riding lessons with an excellent instructor. I find it helpful to refer to parts in this book that coincide with my lessons so that I can better understand what is going on between me and my horse. Gincy's 7-Steps help me to mentally and physically prepare for the lessons. My instructor and I have discussed some of Gincy's techniques and have found that my horse responds beautifully and my riding skills are improving. This book offers clear,concise instructions with explanations of how, why and when along with tons of encouragement. The author has a way of presenting the material without the reader feeling like a buffoon (and you won't even need a dictionary or thesaurus to get through it!) She shares her riding bloopers and many of her ups and downs while she was learning. Gincy is a real person writing in a down-to-earth, no-nonsense fashion. There is no waste in this book! This is one book you might prefer not to pass around to friends. For one thing, you might not get it back. For another, it is handy for quick reference when needed. I ended up buying 3 more(for Christmas gifts) so I could selfishly keep mine yet let my friends in on a great reading discovery.