The Less-Than-Perfect Rider: Overcoming Common Riding Problems

This book would be great for someone just starting out riding, and having "issues" that need solving. The book is packed with pictures and accompanying descriptions. It covers basic flat work and jumping. A wide variety of rider error is covered in this book, and might be useful for an instructor as a schooling guide. This book does not cover more detailed dressage moves, or more complicated manoevers like multiple jumps. If you are looking for a solution to fix a horse that is counter-flexing or rushing fences on a course, this is not the book for you. It's a good book, but not as useful for an experienced rider.

I was born saying "horse" & among diverse interests, a Graduate of the former Riding Acadamy that Susan Harris was director of as an Instructor in "Balance Seat" I am also a nurse in Family Practice & both student & practioner of several "alternative medicine modialities" in accupressure,trigger point release, Theraputic Touch . As I began to see different body types of people coming as patients in our office & to me I noticed a pattern of other problems that would show elsewhere from where an initial injury would occur;known as compensatory injuries & as a believer in form to function in all creatures I found myself being able to instruct a patient of what my also result from the injury & prevention. This book takes this concept onto the horse & clearly explains why some riders find ease & difficulty w/ aspects of riding . I also gives Instructor & rider insight into how to cope w/ rider's conformation & honest expectations of how much physical challanges & capabilities for different body types to riding disiplines . KJSHASTA

I like the back views of riders - some tall, some short, some fat, some thin - these are used to give you suggestions on how you can improve your riding. So don't worry if you don't look like an Olympic champion with perfect legs!The book has many photographs (some in color) that show typical riding faults and how to correct them. There are some really good suggestions for off-the-horse exercises. This book is ideal for adults getting back into English(as opposed to Western) riding - especially if you rode when you were so small that the only way to grip was with your knees (not the way to ride!). It covers really basic information - like how to find an instructor and a riding school. It covers walking, trotting, cantering and jumping. There is a very informative chapter for the nervous rider.I keep going back to this book before and after each lesson. Its a good basic book but will only be useful to those who practise what it preaches.

This is a great book with beautiful color pictures throughout. It is helpful especially for adults, but good for anyone who is involved in riding. It is nice to know the problems we face are commonplace for many other people, and the author gently shows us how to correct them. Great information about human and equine bodies as well. Lots of helpful advice, and did I mention beautiful pictures?

As a rider who took up the sport at 33-and who sometimes feels overwhelmed with all there is to know and master in riding, I was delighted with this book. The british authors have a wonderfully down-to-earth approach, and there is no sense of the "elitism" one sometimes finds in american riding books. Great discussions of common problems, and very helpful solutions offered. I think it should be in every adult beginner's library.