Enlightened Equitation: Riding in True Harmony with Your Horse (Hardcover)

The book is written in a chatty, conversational style. It's just like having a series of one-to-one lessons with a top dressage trainer but the techniques can be applied to any equestrian discipline. Now I understand how all those riders I admire (such as the late Reiner Klimke) manage to make riding look so graceful and elegant with little apparent effort. This book unlocks all the mysteries of absorbing the movement and working in harmony with the horse. Before I read the book I thought only those with natural talent could ride so gracefully. Now I know differently.

I found it really helpful that the book used ordinary horses and riders to demonstrate the techniques. It really pressed home to me that you don't have to be a top level rider to ride safely, effectively and gracefully. All the horses photographed in the book ridden in the way that Heather promotes look so happy. Just look at the difference in the horse shown on the front and back covers of the book. The back cover shows the before photo. The front cover photo - taken 20 minutes later - shows the after! It looks like a different horse - the mare on the front cover is going forward in a good outline and she looks much more relaxed.

Heather's emphasis on putting the horse's welfare first is very much in line with my thinking. I must admit that I was a bit taken aback to find that Heather actively promoted using the pelham as a remedial bit. But when I read the explanation and saw how happy the horses photographed looked I was persuaded by Heather's arguments for using a pelham. I'm lucky - with the new techniques my heavyweight cob mare will go sweetly in a snaffle - but on the basis of what I've seen demonstrated in the book I wouldn't hesitate to change to a pelham rather than "saw" away at her mouth in a snaffle.

The book is invaluable for novice and experienced riders alike. I go back to my copy time and time again to check my understanding and I always learn something new. I also refer constantly to the definitions of equestrian terms and to the aid checklists for various movements. I now have a very clear understanding of the biomechanical basis for using the aids that Heather describes and can vouch for them working.

This book should be compulsory reading for anyone who rides.

Referencing the classical principles of riding Heather examines how through understanding the horse, its feelings and the mechanics of riding you can ride in a sympathetic, gentle way without hindering the horse or his movement. She also shows how to use subtle aids that all horses understand and respond to.

The book challenges many of the accepted ways of learning to ride; showing that what people are commonly taught is often counterproductive and leads to confusion of the rider and horse. There are lots of popular phrases in riding like 'inside leg to outside hand' and 'sitting deep' which are bandied around by riders and instructors and often understood by neither. Heather's book shows you exactly what to do, without mystery or confusing imagery.

Profusely illustrated with riders and horses of all shapes, sizes and abilities, the many before and after shots show what can be achieved by application of the principles explained in the book.

If you are a beginner, or have some experience but feel your riding has got stuck then I'd strongly recommend you get this book. It could change the way you ride forever.