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I am half way through this book. I have spent some time around horses when I was younger, however, I haven't had the opportunity to spend a great deal of time with horses in about 15 years. So far, I love it. It is easy to follow the techniques described and photos are an added advantage for me. I now have a few acres and am finally starting my re-kindled love for horses. I love this book and would recommend it to any horse lover at any experience level.
The best feature are the two ladies who brought their horses to Anderson to receive help with several behavioral issues. As a huge fan of Parelli, I wasn't sure that I would get much out of the Clinton Anderson book, but I was very pleased and surprised with the quality of content. The instructions are clear, and there are plenty of pictures demonstrating various exercises. Reading about their struggles and accomplishments really motivated me to use more ground work in the time I spend with my horse. I highly recommend this book to anybody working with horses.
I wasn't sure a book would help with my situation, but Clinton's training methods are a lifesaver to me. We're working on flexing while mounted now. His biggest problems--fear of being mounted, and he won't turn to the right. I've been riding for 25 years, but I have no experience training horses.
I recommend this book to anyone who has a green broke or ill-mannered horse. I went out again today for another session on flexing while mounted. He's the perfect horse on the ground, but he has absolutely no idea what to do when someone gets on him. The flexing exercises, especially under saddle, really worked. He's protesting, mostly while flexing to the right, but we're making progress.
It's important to read the book from the beginning and not skip steps, even if you feel they aren't important to you, because they do build upon one another. He tosses his head and does a little rearing action. When I first got the horse, I attempted to mount him for over an hour without success. We even neck reined both directions without a single issue.
I recently rescued a 9 year old, green broke gelding. We've only flexed while mounted for three sessions so far, and there is improvement. The single rein stop has proven very effective and adds a sense of security.The book is fairly clear and easy to follow. I like his safety first approach, and, although I'll admit it's frightening having a horse doing the Texas-two step beneath you as you attempt to flex him, it's worth it when he actually stops and flexes.Follow up: One day later.Session #4 on flexing while mounted. After a couple of weeks of flexing haltered then saddled, I was able to get on and off of him several times without him moving a muscle. I'm absolutely stunned. I didn't know his riding experience, since he had to be bought based on a picture and a 30 second video.
Session #3 was a battle, although ultimately successful and session #4 was perfect. He wouldn't even stand still with someone holding him--it just made him worse. I even mounted from the right side a few times, and he stood perfectly still. My stunned reaction.my horse stood perfectly still and flexed each direction, multiple times without moving a muscle. Thank you, Clinton Anderson.
I'll admit that I actually purchased this book at a show where Clinton was giving a demo. However, the book is just a basic overview of what takes hours and regular practice to accomplish. I had purchase several of his videos (before DVD's were the norm) and they were so good that I was able to start my 2-year old myself. His videos were very well done and easy to follow. Unless you already know what you're doing (and then you probably wouldn't need this book in the first place), I would not recommend this book to anyone as a useful tool in working with horses. Get one of his DVDs instead.
Found the book very easy to understand and extremely helpful. Wonderful pictures to enforce techniques.Keep it in the barn for a reference if I'm having troubles.Great buy.
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