There Are No Problem Horses, Only Problem Riders

by Mary Twelveponies

Book Overview

The best-selling guide to horsemanship -- for English and Western riders

THERE ARE NO PROBLEM HORSES, ONLY PROBLEM RIDERS has stood for twenty years as an indispensable text in its field. As Mary Twelveponies writes in her introduction, It is the hardest pill for all of us would-be horsemen to swallow, but it is absolutely true -- if the horse is not responding properly, we are doing something wrong. This easy-to-read guide offers sensible...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 061812750X
• ISBN13: 9780618127504
• Release Date: December 2001
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.64 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.4" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

This is what I call my "Horse Bible".

I've read it front to back so many times that I've worn out my second copy already! I find something that pertains to me or my horses every time I read it. It has helped me overcome simple misunderstanding to major problems. This book is a lesson on understanding your horses instincts and how those instincts play into your horses daily ranch life. I recommend this book to everybody who has ANY horse involvement.

very helpful!!!

this book is very helpful! it tells you how to control a horse so that he respects your postition as boss. if your horse is being stubborn, it gives you #1 ways to get the horse responding again.

THE One to Read

If you don't have this book, your horse library is not complete. I've found most horse trainers concerned with either the horse or the rider. Ms. Twelveponies is one of the few I've encountered who knows and cares about both. I started a youngster using her principles and avoided most of the problems I had heard or read about. She uses the the term "respectful." This is the correct path between beating and coddling. By the time you finish the book, you'll have a better insight into her horses and yours. Refer to it often.

There are no problem horses only problem riders

I have read and continue to use this book through-out my relationship with my horses. I unequivocally agree with both the reviewer from Canada and Singapore. The other reviewers seemed to have forgotten to read the book. This is a carry all tool for new and advanced riders who wish to co-exist happily with their horses. In addition to helping people with riding this book also on several levels helps people to understand how many other farm species see humans. Best of luck for your training and reading.

This book should be in every horsepersons library!

This is one of my favorite books, and the name says it all, being the most truthful phrase i know in horsemanship. If you think you have a problem horse ~ think again! The author writes about communication, 'training', prevention and 'curing' many of the most common problems encountered by riders and anyone 'working' with horses. I think the writer of one of the other reviews shown misunderstood the paragraph from the book that i think she is referring to. I have read this book over and over and the most strongest message i feel from it is developing the skill to use your aids properly ( "properly in my book is the easiest way to get the best results" quoted from Mary Twelveponies herself.) so you use the least amount of effort needed to teach your horse, and to do it in a way that has the horses physical, mental and emotional states in mind. My understanding is not to under do it, and NOT to overdo it, and NOT to be mean about it. For a horse to be safe around humans he needs to respect and trust the human as dominant, as the leader, and as a friend. This is not mean, this is education in the most respecting and compassionate way to a horse. I feel this book is about learning to ride and interact with horses properly ~ to use the least amount of effort, properly, so it works, horse and human understand each other, and learn to both be HAPPY 'working' TOGETHER. It clearly and compassionately explains communicating to horses in a way they understand. I would recommend this book to everyone who ever interacts with horses! Mary Twelveponies clearly has a love, understanding, respect, and compassion for horses than can be a rare find in todays equine 'industries'.Galaxy Jade Taylor BC Canada