The Best Equestrian Books 2025

1. Basics of Western Riding - Paperback

Readers learn what distinguishes the various western horse breeds from other horses, how to evaluate a horse for purchase or lease, and how to trail ride for pleasure and competition. Using clear photos and pen-and-ink illustrations, Strickland teaches readers safe and effective horse handling techniques. Photos. Get in the saddle and experience the thrills, challenges, and fun of Western riding! In this comprehensive introductory guide, veteran trainer Charlene Strickland covers everything from safe horse handling procedures and basic Western riding techniques to stylish competition outfits. With plenty of encouragement and a contagious passion, Strickland provides easy-to-follow riding instructions along with expert advice on evaluating horses and appropriate tack. You'll soon be enjoying pleasurable rides both in the training ring and out on the trail.

Get in the saddle and experience the thrills, challenges, and fun of Western riding! In this comprehensive introductory guide, veteran trainer Charlene Strickland covers everything from safe horse handling procedures and basic Western riding techniques to stylish competition outfits. With plenty of encouragement and a contagious passion, Strickland provides easy-to-follow riding instructions along with expert advice on evaluating horses and appropriate tack. You’ll soon be enjoying pleasurable rides both in the training ring and out on the trail.

2. 101 Arena Exercises for Horse & Rider - Paperback

A ringside exercise book for riders who want to improve their own and their horse's skills. The author of more than 600 articles on horses and related subjects demonstrates through a unique "read-and ride" format a variety of drills, from simple skills such as the "Working Walk and Jog" to more advanced "Two Squares", "Flying Change", and more. all are suitable for both English and Western riders. Illustrated. Take your riding to a new level! Bringing together recognized classic exercises for both English and Western riders plus her own original patterns and maneuvers, Cherry Hill provides an array of drills that will improve your riding technique. Whether you are a rider interested in expanding your repertoire or an instructor looking for new drills, these exercises will add excitement and variety to your training.

Take your riding to a new level! Bringing together recognized classic exercises for both English and Western riders plus her own original patterns and maneuvers, Cherry Hill provides an array of drills that will improve your riding technique. Whether you are a rider interested in expanding your repertoire or an instructor looking for new drills, these exercises will add excitement and variety to your training.

3. Howell Reference Books: The Life of Horses (Hardcover)

This is the ultimate book on horses-a truly comprehensive, imaginative, forward-looking, and international reference work about all aspects of the life of horses and the people involved. It provides detailed information on all major horse breeds, sports and leisure activities, and ceremonial and working horses. * Compares and contrasts breeds from around the world and covers their history and relevance to modern uses. * Includes special feature articles written by top international breeders, trainers, jockeys, and other horse people that give an insight as to what it is like to be involved with horses on a day-to-day basis. * Reveals the latest thinking on understanding horses. * Takes an in-depth look at all modern uses of the horse in work and leisure.

Hardcover, Howell Books, 1999, ISBN13 9781582450483, ISBN10 158245048X

4. Western Practice Lessons - Paperback

Make the most of your riding time. Charlene Strickland's step-by-step lessons are full of tips, diagrams, and photographs that will help you achieve greater harmony with your horse as you refine your riding skills. Designed to help you efficiently perfect the fundamentals of Western riding -- rhythm, relaxation and suppleness, readiness, engagement and impulsion, and straightness -- you'll learn to view each ride as an opportunity to improve the nuances of your horsemanship. Saddle up and start riding like a champion!

• Author: Charlene Strickland • ISBN:9781580171076 • Format:Paperback • Publication Date:2000-03-15

5. Rider's Fitness Program - Paperback

Get in top riding shape! Designed to strengthen the muscles commonly used by equestrians while improving overall balance, flexibility, and coordination, this six-week fitness program includes clear instructions and step-by-step photographs for more than 70 exercises. You'll learn how to create workout routines that are customized for specific disciplines like jumping, dressage, and rodeo. Whether you're a beginning rider or have years of experience, increased fitness will help you prevent injury and improve your riding form.

• Author: Dianna Robin Dennis,John J McCully,Paul M Juris • ISBN:9781580175425 • Format:Paperback • Publication Date:2004-11-15

6. Rider's Problem Solver - Paperback

The average rider doesn't have Olympic aspirations and a $10,000 horse. Most riders just want to learn as much as they can about horses, to ride as well as possible, and to enjoy the companionship of their equine partners. Many riders, however, feel frustrated with their lack of progress, struggle with uncomfortable tack or painful joints, or find themselves losing confidence after a frightening experience. In her informal yet informative style, clinician and equine behavior expert Jessica Jahiel addresses numerous rider concerns, from head (properly fitting a helmet) to toe (breaking in a pair of stiff new boots) and everything inbetween (those aching knees). Following the successful question-and-answer format of "The Horse Behavior Problem Solver, she presents real life situations and addresses them in comprehensive detail, offering proven solutions to common problems. Starting from the ground up, Jahiel covers technical issues in Part I: Mount Up and Ride, addressing questions about mounting and dismounting, position in the saddle, and jumping and trail riding. Part II covers physical and emotional issues, ranging from finding the right size horse to facing fears to seeing things from the horse's point of view. A third section on tack and clothing includes a variety of topics, from holding the reins correctly to using a whip to making saddles more comfortable. Finally, in Part IV: Getting Better all the Time, Jahiel discusses finding (and working with) a good instructor, attending clinics, preparing for shows, and understanding what the judges might be thinking. The problems presented in this book will be familiar to riders of all levels of experience andin all styles of riding. Jahiel's detailed advice encourages riders to relax and enjoy their relationship with the horse, to always keep learning, and above all, to put the horse first.

From the best way to break in a pair of stiff new boots to mastering a difficult jumping routine, Jessica Jahiel addresses hundreds of common problems facing amateur horse-riders. Offering helpful tips and plenty of encouragement, this comprehensive guide covers a wide range of riding concerns that include both physical (painful joints) and psychological (fear of accidents) issues. Jahiel’s informal yet informative approach will not only help you overcome nagging riding obstacles, but inspire you to enjoy your riding experience to its fullest.

7. Endurance Start to Finish [Hardcover - Used]

CONDITION - USED - Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include "From the library of" labels or previous owner inscriptions. Accessories such as CD, codes, toys, may not be included. Offers a basic explanation of the sport and its ethics, followed by advice on selection of the potential endurance horse, the suitability of a wide range of breeds and how to manage your horse for health and fitness. This book also deals with the complex subject of feeding and nutrition.

Endurance Start to Finish, Used [Hardcover]

8. Ride the Right Horse: Understanding the Core Equine Personalities & How to Work with Them [Hardcover - Used]

CONDITION - USED - Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include "From the library of" labels or previous owner inscriptions. Accessories such as CD, codes, toys, may not be included. A good personality is the single most desirable quality in a horse, yet it is much harder to assess than conformation or gait. Describing the four basic equine personality types -- social, fearful, aloof, and challenging -- and their various combinations, Yvonne Barteau shows you how to recognize distinct behavior patterns that can indicate any horse's personality. Stressing the importance of compatibility between rider and horse, Barteau helps you achieve equestrian success through finding a horse whose personality best matches your individual riding style.

Ride the Right Horse : Understanding the Core Equine Personalities and How to Work with Them, Used [Hardcover]

9. Discovering Natural Horsemanship: A Beginner's Odyssey [Hardcover - Used]

CONDITION - USED - Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include "From the library of" labels or previous owner inscriptions. Accessories such as CD, codes, toys, may not be included. Tom Moates s life and work were on a horseless path until serendipity brought Niji, a sorrel gelding, into his life. In his candid and plainspoken style, Moates shares the honest highs and lows of starting out in the Better Way with horses. He works hard to follow the wise ways of many well-known clinicians and shares his personal experiences attempting to implement them. Discovering Natural Horsemanship is sometimes humorous, often inspiring, and always resonates with authenticity."

Discovering Natural Horsemanship : A Beginner's Odyssey, Used [Hardcover]

10. Classical Horsemanship for Our Time, Used [Hardcover]

This work presents the heritage of classical theories of riding in a modern, highly readable format. Jean Froissard takes the reader through the development of a dressage horse; dressage in its truest sense, the training of a riding horse. He begins with the criteria for selecting a mount, then describes the progress of early training which is basic for any horse, whatever its destination. Building systematically upon what has been learned, with constant emphasis on rewards, for even the slightest improvement, over punishment, he then takes the reader through the training progression up to the highest levels of dressage.

Classical Horsemanship for Our Time, Used [Hardcover]