Basic Schooling Made Simple: A Step-by-step Illustrated Guide to Easy and Effective Basic Training for Every Horse Owner (Master of Equitation) [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

 

 

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At first sight this might appear to be just another training manual to add to the numerous others produced in recent years. However it repays a closer look, because what sets this book apart from the run-of-the-mill training manuals is the way in which it explains, clearly and simply, why correct training is so important.
The main aim of the book is to help readers evaluate what their particular horse can reasonably be expected to do, and to help those who have acquired less than perfect horses on whom unreasonable demands have previously been made, to deal with any inherited flaws and re-establish training along the right lines. So many people find themselves in this position that a book such as this is a Godsend! ‘When training any horse,’ says Diggle, ‘it is important to take account of that horse’s individual characteristics, both mental and physical.’ This is a far cry from those trainers who appear to assume that all horses will respond in the same way!
Right from the start, Diggle sets out one of the basic principles: ‘Whatever we tell or allow the horse to do – or provoke him into doing – we will somehow affect his training, for better or worse.’ This is why he lays such great emphasis on correct training right from the start. Diggle explains the basic principles as laid out in dressage tests, although he is far more concerned with getting things correct than with competing. ‘Training horses,’ he says, ‘is a process built up layer upon layer. You can’t build the walls until you have laid the foundations, you can’t put the roof on until you have built the walls. If you try to do so, your house will fall down. Not might fall down – will fall down.’ Further on, he says, ‘…there are no short cuts – except those that lead to a spoilt horse.’
I particularly like the way the author emphasises building up empathy and rapport with your horse, and waiting for the right moment to introduce new things. He differentiates between conditions which can be worked through and those that will worsen if attempts are made to continue before the problem is resolved. I wish more trainers would do this! He emphasises that ‘True disobedience is fairly rare – much rarer than many riders believe – and it must be stressed that uncharacteristic disobedience is often the first sign of pain or illness.’
Diggle discusses the causes of a number of common problems and their cures; he is always concerned to find the cause when seeking the cure, rather than – as so many people do – simply addressing the symptoms. He also covers a number of flaws in training, again discussing their causes and how to correct the flaws themselves. He offers a logical approach to the aids, together with clear and common-sense explanations of terms often bandied about carelessly; I especially like his definition of submission as ‘willing acceptance on the horse’s part’. In particular he deals sensibly with the vexed question of ‘outline’, with which so many people are obsessed these days. I almost cheered when I read his comments on a hollow outline, because this is something usually blamed on the horse: ‘The most common cause of this problem is bad riding, the rider sitting behind the movement” and hanging on to the reins.’ Bravo, Mr Diggle!
There is an excellent section on the effects of conformation on training, although of necessity this touches only briefly on some aspects of the subject. The drawings which illustrate the book are generally excellent, especially those which show the effects of a poor and unbalanced seat on the part of the rider. My only criticism would be that some of them show the rider carrying the hands too high and in the dreaded ‘pram-pushing’ position.
That apart, this is an excellent guide for the everyday, perhaps less experienced rider who wants to give their horse a good basic education as well as perhaps taking part in dressage competitions. It could benefit quite a few more experienced riders and trainers, too!

At first sight this might appear to be just another training manual to add to the numerous others produced in recent years. However it repays a closer look, because what sets this book apart from the run-of-the-mill training manuals is the way in which it explains, clearly and simply, why correct training is so important.
The main aim of the book is to help readers avaluate what their particular horse can reasonably be expected to do, and to help those who have acquired less than perfect horses on whom unreasonable demands have previously been made, to deal with any inherited flaws and re-establish training along the right lines. So many people find themselves in this position that a book such as this is a Godsend! 'When training any horse,' says Diggle, 'it is important to take account of that horse's individual characteristics, both mental and physical.' This is a far cry from those trainers who appear to assume that all horses will respond in the same way!
Right from the start, Diggle sets out one of the basic principles: 'Whatever we tell or allow the horse to do - or provoke him into doing - we will somehow affect his training, for better or worse.' This is why he lays such great emphasis on correct training right from the start. Diggle explains the basic principles as laid out in dressage tests, although he is far more concerned with getting things correct than with competing. 'Training horses,' he says, 'is a process built up layer upon layer. You can't build the walls until you have laid the foundsations, you can't put the roof on until you have built the walls. If you try to do so, your house will fall down. Not might fall down - will fall down.' Furtehr on, he says, '...there are no short cuts - except those that lead to a spoilt horse.'
I particularly like the way the author emphasises building up empathy and rapport with your horse, and waiting for the right moment to introduce new things. He differentiates between conditions which can be worked through and those that will worsen if attempts are made to continue before the probolem is resolved. I wish more trainers would do this! He emphasises that 'True disobedience is fairly rare - much rarer than many riders believe - and it must be stressed that uncharacteristic disobedience is often the frist sign of pain or illness.'
Diggles discusses the causes of a number of common problems and their cures; he is always concerned to find the cause when seeking the cure, rather than - as so many people do - simply addressing the symptoms. He also covers a number of flaws in training, again discussing their causes and how to correct the flaws themselves. He offers a logical approach to the aids, together with clear and common-sense explanations of terms often bandied about carelessly; I especially like his definition of submission as 'willing acceptance on the horse's part'. In particular he deals sensibly with the vexed question of 'outline', with which so many people are obsessed these days. I almost cheered when I read his comments on a hollow outline, because this is something usually blamed on the horse: 'The most common cause of this problem is bad riding, the rider sitting behind the movement" and hanging on to the reins.' Bravo, Mr Diggle!
There is an excellent section on the effects of conformation on training, although of necessity this touches only briefly on some aspects of the subject. The drawings which illustrate the book are generally excellent, especially those which show the effects of a poor and unbalanced seat on the part of the rider. My only criticism would be that some of them show the rider carrying the hands too high and in the dreaded 'pram-pushing' position.
That apart, this is an excellent guide for the everyday, perhaps less experienced rider who wants to give their horse a good basic education as well as perhaps taking part in dressage competitions. It could benefit quite a few more experienced riders and trainers, too!

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