SWIFT

Sally Swift proved to be an excellent teacher in her last book, and she maintains the title throughout the second edition. I find the illustrations and analogies to be excellent for my own use as well as teaching others. So many concepts are broken down and compared to every day events and mechanical workings that they are almost impossible to forget. Sally helps you understand the mechanincs of your own body as well as your horse's and helps us understand why our instructors tell us to do the things they do.

I know its not just me, as I have met other riders who just didn't find this book the "miracle" that many have. If visualization techniques work for you, then by all means buy this as it is chock-full of them. Ms. Swift has had a lot of influence among riders and trainers, so she does know horses and riders. However, don't feel stupid if Sally doesn't do it for you! Just as any given riding instructor is great for some riders and the worst for others, the same is true with riding books. The suggested exercises are helpful and the positive attitude is appreciated, especially for those of us who have taken up riding as an adult. However, if you find yourself struggling to understand one of Ms. Swift's metaphors for riding, this may not be the book for you. Best advice : if you have a regular trainer, discuss the book with her (or him) first.

Sally Swift encourages you to visualize the cartoons in the book that range from legs looking like fire hoses to hands caressing birds. These pictures really help one's riding.

I love this book, but its even better if you get the accompanying video and here Sally's voice. A rider with back problems she overcame them by learning how to center and balance.

This is a fine book for gaining a really solid seat. It covers the basics of English riding - walk, trot, canter, jumping - but also describes how to do half-halts, circles, turns, leg yielding and more advanced dressage movements.

The book is a classic reference and if you only buy one riding book this might be it. It leads you from head knowledge to the feel of riding.

My instructor recommended this book a few years ago and it has changed the way I ride and how I look at riding. I come from a hunter/jumper background but I think the ideas could apply to all types of riding. The hot horses go softer with these techniques and the quiet horses become more responsive. This book helps bring the rider's mind into the sport through exercises and diagrams that show new perspectives. Her second book is also excellent. This is one of my favorite books on riding, especially since I also practice yoga and martial arts.