Western Horsemanship

I ordered this book since I am new to riding Western style, having grown up in the UK. I found the book very interesting and informative, helping me with my decisions in purchasing saddle, bridle etc. The one thing that I didn't get from the book was tips on the actual riding aids etc. which is something as a newbie that I was looking for. The book is more geared towards getting owner and horse ready for showing, rather than training advice. Other than that, I would recommend the book to anyone interested in preparing themselves for showing Western style.

This was my first Western Horsemanship book. It is full of useful information on riding instruction Western style. Loads of pictures, and it's written as if Richard is talking to you. I liked reading this book, Richard didn't jam your head full of points all at once, instead it was easy to remember his points when I went out riding. GOOD book.

This book has been a complete reference for rider/trainer. Inexpereinced riders benefit from the detail, trainers can utilize to augment the lesson program. Pages are littered with wonderful photos of do and don'ts. A must have, must read, again and again.

There are a lot of so-called horse trainers and "horse whisperers" out there today. Some are good and some are phony but Richard Shrake is as real as they come. This book helps the beginner as well as the most experienced competitive riders. There's nothing phony about his methods and they're things that anyone can do. The book is well written with lots of photographs of the actual methods he's talking about. It's an absolutely wonderful book, and so are his videos!

For any rider who wants to improve their skills, this book is a must. All of the fine details; from leg placement and hand positioning to choosing and caring for the right equipment, are covered in an easy to read format. The photos are excellent examples of what Richard Shrake is explaining. If you are showing your horse or riding for pleasure, there is much to learn from this book.