What is expected of a good horsemanship manual Part 3

 Most horses turn to one side easier than to the other, but a good horse training book should explain in detail how to get a horse balanced out and even on the bit. A good horse training book or horsemanship manual should teach you how to get a horse supple in the neck so it flexes at the pole and becomes light in the bridle.

Backing is another very important procedure which a horsemanship manual should explain in detail in a way which is easy to understand, absorb and apply.

Among other a horse training book should teach you why horses have various mouth (bit) problems, and how to correct it. Shying is not abnormal to horses, but understanding why horses shy and knowing and how to correct it, should be explained in detail in a book on horsemanship.

After studying and practicing a horse training book, a student should have a very good idea of getting a horse to accepting tack (bridle, saddle, harness, cursingle etc.) as well as being mounted or hitched to a cart.

A good horse training book should explain what to look for in a horse’s conformation and way of going, adding numerous photographs of desirable and undesirable characteristics.

Additional coaching should include articles such as equine dentistry, home remedies for injuries, wounds etc.. In a good  book on horse training as much advice and coaching should be explained in detail as possible.

A good horse training book should explain in detail how to adjust tack to a horse. How tight to adjust a noseband, throat latch, girth, curb chain. What is the correct stirrup length (standard seat), what is the correct position of the curb and snaffle bits.

A good horsemanship manual should include balancing exercises to give the rider better balance and a more secured seat. This alone will convince pupils that there are many more timid and inexperienced riders (many of whom are highly “qualified”) than there are “wild, unsafe, spooky horses.

NOT ONLY should a good horse training book explain these techniques in detail, but it should be written is such a way that it is easy to understand, absorb and apply successfully by beginners. A pupil should be able to absorb as much information in as short a space of time as possible without feeling like he /she is writing the final exam of their school career.

After studying a good horsemanship manual or getting riding instructions at a riding school, the student should at least say: “I never knew it was so easy”.

Also, the “qualified, educated, trained” expert should be able to outdo the novice, the country bumpkin, when they get to a spirited, unpredictable horse. The proof of the pudding should be in the eating !!!