Every horse, from the pampered show-hunter to the family pet, is faced at one time or another with an object or situation that is overwhelmingly terrifying, or just downright confusing. With his systematic approach to "bombproofing," Sergeant Rick Pelicano of the Maryland National Capitol Park Police shares his methods on how to be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to training your horse to deal with such situations. His vividly illustrated manual shows you how to accustom your horse to a variety of circumstances, noises, and objects, thereby turning him into a more pleasurable, submissive, confident, and ultimately safer mount.

In order to avoid risking life and limb when the unexpected strikes, this definitive follow-up manual provides further in-depth instructions on how to "bombproof" horses. This method of training works for any number of unexpected incidents and unusual terrain, such as backfiring cars, speeding motorcycles, floating plastic bags, and crossing water and ditches. After reviewing the techniques from the first volume, this guide simplifies an array of new challenges: behavior problems, trailer loading, navigating parades and large gatherings, defensive riding, and self-defense techniques for the rider.

This volume helps to train horses to cope with disturbances such as out of control bolts, baulks, wheel arounds or bucking. The author, an experienced horse trainer also offers sections on teachings basic necessary skills like walking on unusual surfaces and self-loading into a trailer.

As a mounted officer, author Jim Barrett has trained hundreds of police horses to ignore all the scary things that make our own riding experiences less-than-pleasurable. His Manual for the Mounted Officer is respected nationwide as the indispensable how-to guide for mounted units. And now he's written the how-to manual for every horse owner. Steady Your Spooky Horse: How-to Methods from the Mounted Police guides you through the task of training your horse to be bombproof. You'll learn why your mount responds to circumstances the way he does and the steps you can take to make him fearless. You'll also learn the importance of consistency in your riding signals, how to select a horse suitable for the job, and keys to formation riding. The real-life, proven training techniques in Steady Your Spooky Horse: How-to Methods from the Mounted Police can make every experience with your horse the safe partnership it should be.

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 first on the ground and then on your horse-will have you riding with confidence and without fear. You'll build a safe and caring partnership with your horse as you: * Understand how your actions affect your horse * Improve your form, release tensions, and find balance * Communicate with your horse to gain his trust * Stay in charge without being controlling * Observe your horse's responses and learn from them * Increase your horse's comfort-both physically and psychologically "If you' ve ever said to yourself, 'Why can' t I . . . ?,' you' ll find the answer here to why you can' t, and exactly how to solve the problem. Whatever your level, you'll gain greater understanding and become a better rider and horseman from reading this book." -George H. Morris, internationally renowned clinician, USEF Show Jumping vice-president, ARIA master instructor, and member of the U. S. Equestrian Federation Board of Directors "How Your Horse Wants You To Ride is chock full of innovative and practical tools presented in a thoroughly entertaining style. A delightful read for riders at all levels!" -Jane Savoie, olympic alternate and author of That Winning Feeling!, Cross Train Your Horse, More Cross Training, and It's Not Just About the Ribbons

This marvelous book, borne of a unique collaboration between Dr. Allen Schoen—a world-renowned veterinarian and author—and trainer and competitor of many years Susan Gordon, introduces the 25 Principles of Compassionate Equitation. These Principles, conceived by Dr. Schoen and Gordon, are a set of developmental guidelines, encouraging a level of personal awareness that may be enacted not only through the reader's engagement with horses, but can be extended to all humans and sentient beings he or she encounters. The 25 Principles share stories and outline current, peer-reviewed studies that identify and support methods of training, handling, and caring for horses that constitute a safe, healthy, non-stressful, and pain-free environment. Through their Compassionate Equestrian program, the authors encourage all involved in the horse industry to approach training and handling with compassion and a willingness to alleviate suffering. By developing deeper compassion for their own horses, and subsequently, all equines, equestrians transcend their differences in breed preferences, riding disciplines, and training methodologies. This leads to the ability to empathize and connect more closely with the “global collective” of horses and horse people. In doing so, a worldwide community of compassionate equine practitioners and horse owners will emerge, which will not only benefit the horses: People involved with horses are found in many influential segments of society and have the potential to affect wide circles of friends, acquaintances, and co-workers from every walk of life. These are simple changes any horse person can make that can have a vast impact on the horse industry and society as a whole.

A bold, riveting debut novel of desire, betrayal, and loss, centering on three teenage girls, a horse ranch, and the tragic accident that changes everything. Rory Ramos works as a ranch hand at the stable her stepfather manages in Topanga Canyon, California, a dry, dusty place reliant on horses and hierarchies. There she rides for the rich clientele, including twins June and Wade Fisk. While Rory may have unwittingly drawn the interest of out-and-proud June, she's more intrigued by Vivian Price, the beautiful teenager with the movie-star father who lives down the hill. Rory's blue-collar upbringing keeps her largely separate from the likes of the Prices--but, perched on her bedroom windowsill, Rory steals glimpses of Vivian swimming in her pool nearly every night. After Rory's stepfather is involved in a tragic car accident, the lives of Rory, June, and Vivian become inextricably bound together. Rory discovers photography, begins riding more competitively alongside June, and grows closer and closer to gorgeous, mercurial Vivian, but despite her newfound sense of self, disaster lurks all around her: in the parched landscape, in her unruly desires, in her stepfather's wrecked body and guilty conscience. One night, as the relationships among these teenagers come to a head, a forest fire tears through Topanga Canyon, and Rory's life is changed forever. Kept Animals is narrated by Rory's daughter, Charlie, twenty years after that fateful 1993 fire. Realizing that the key to her own existence lies in the secret of what really happened that unseasonably warm fall, Charlie is finally ready to ask questions about her mother's past. But with Rory away on assignment as a war photographer, Charlie knows she must unravel the truth for herself.