How Your Horse Wants You to Ride

Starting Out and Starting Over
by Gincy Self Bucklin

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

Contents

Part I: Getting Started or Starting Over
Success Is Easier Than You Think

1. Looking into Your Future
   A Confident Rider on a Confident Horse
2. Building the Foundation
   The Seven Steps, Part One
3. Meeting and Greeting
   Good First Impressions Create a Positive Relationship
4. Grooming, Tack, and Tacking
   Talking to Your Horse in Different Ways
5. Leading
   Be in Charge without Being Controlling
6. Mounting and Dismounting
   Riding Confidence Starts Here

Part II: Riding without Fear
Bareback or without Stirrups

7. Sitting on the Horse
   The Seven Steps, Part Two
8. Communicating Considerately
   The Stick, the Seat, the Center, the Weight, and the Eyes
9. Free at Last!
   Riding without Reins, Sitting the Trot without Stirrups
10. Handling the Reins
    Goofproof Your Moves

Part III: Riding without Fear
Back in the Saddle and Using the Stirrups

11. Settling into the Saddle
    Adjust to the Difference
12. Solving the Stirrup Problem
    The Seven Seats, Part One: Full Seat
13. Solving the Balance Problem
    The Seven Seats, Part Two: Half Seat
14. Posting the Trot
    Perfection Is Perfectly Possible
15. Cantering Basics
    Just in Case

Part IV: Helping Your Horse Do What You Want
The Leg and Rein Aids

16. Using Your Legs
    No Strength Required!
17. Understanding the Rein Connection
    Use Your Hands Effectively
18. Overcoming Rein Resistance
    Simple Hand and Rein Effects That Work
19. Putting the Aids to Work
    Go, Turn, Stop, and Back

Build Self-Confidence in Yourself and Your Horse

Appendices

• Making and Fitting a Neck Strap.
• Plateaus: Charting Your Progress
• The Flowchart: Where Can You Go from Here?
• Resources

Index

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