Jessica Jahiel explains everything you need to know about the different types of bits and how they work so that you can decide which one is best for your horse, your goals, and your budget. She also shows you how to position and adjust bits correctly and goes over the options for riders who prefer not to use a bit at all.

As even a quick glance around a saddler shop or through a tack store catalog will show, the world of horse bits is both enormous and mystifying. The primary means of communicating with and controlling a horse, Western and English bits come in a bewildering assortment of materials, sizes, and shapes. Their descriptions—full-cheek snaffle, hackamore, high port, French link, Tom Thumb, spade, KK Ultra—are no less puzzling, and with new bits and refinements being produced every year, even the most experienced horseman must struggle to keep up with the state of the art. The Ultimate Book of Horse Bits will answer all your questions on the subject . . . and then some. Not only does the author and horsewoman Emily Esterson go into detail about all kinds of equine mouthware and how each is constructed, but she also explains how and why each works in the context of what the rider wants the horse to accomplish. Does your horse have difficulty bending or flexing? Suggestions and solutions to these and myriad other horse-and-rider problems will be found throughout these authoritative yet user-friendly pages. Whether a novice or expert horseman, every rider, trainer, or owner in any equestrian discipline will benefit from this book’s wide-ranging and practical information for years to come.

A heartwarming story of a couple and their horse exploring what caring for a horse can teach us about companionship—whether it’s with a four-legged friend or a fellow human. A surprise birthday gift plunged Joe and his wife, Kathleen, into the world of horses as complete neophytes without a clue as to what a horse needed or wanted. They searched for logic and sense in the rule books of traditional horse care. What they found was not what they had expected. Written for everyone who has ever loved a horse or ever loved the idea of loving a horse, this memoir leads us on a voyage of discovery as Joe and Kathleen navigate uncharted territory on their way to achieving a true relationship with their horses. Joe Camp’s inspiring book unlocks the mystery of a majestic creature who has survived on earth, without assistance, for fifty-five million years and teaches us that the lessons he learned apply not only to horses but also to our relationships with people.

When owning, training, riding, and showing horses, there is a certain “look” to which one aspires. World-class “turnout”—a horse in peak condition, perfectly coiffed and luminous with health, outfitted with gleaming and well-fit tack appropriate for his sport—can take your breath away. And while it can certainly play a significant role in a competitive rider’s success, it is just as appealing to have any horse “groomed to the nines,” whether he’s headed for an afternoon lesson or just out on the trail. Achieving this superior look is not just about clean tack, shiny brass, spotless stockings, or perfect braids. The most important steps are in the day-to-day nitty-gritty of grooming and caring for the horse: noticing “something not-quite-right” about the way the horse looks or moves before it becomes “something wrong”; brushing and combing and trimming a little every day so the horse’s skin and coat remain healthy; knowing how to prepare a horse properly for training, and how to cool him down afterward. Now, two of the best professional grooms in the business share their trade secrets, with over 1200 color photographs accompanying the ultimate modern-day guide for all riders who want their horses to look and feel their best.

A book chock-full of answers to horse-behavior questions that will change your horse's life for the better. Horses want partners they trust. Meeting their need for security makes them more tuned-in, calmer, and more reliable. In her engaging book, highly illustrated with professional color photographs, certified riding instructor Lynn Acton, MS, shows you how, with practical step-by-step instructions. You’ll see that progress can be surprisingly fast with methods that are gentle, time-tested, backed by science, and that make intuitive sense to your horse. Discover how to earn trust and make training more efficient by engaging horses’ innate intelligence, maintaining clear two-way communication, and considering their point of view. This leadership approach has been used successfully for centuries by people of all backgrounds and skill levels on horses at all levels of training. Acton refers to this relationship as Protector Leadership because you are the horse’s protector. In these pages, she combines extensive horse experience and an academic background in social dynamics with in-depth research. She interprets and cites the scientific findings that explain why Protector Leadership works, and offers valuable insights into equine psychology while exposing myths that are sources of problems. Plus, Acton includes “Things to Try” at the end of each chapter—fun and easy-to-implement exercises that help you engage your horse as a thinking partner Throughout, the narrative includes stories of Acton's progress with her own horses, including mistakes and hindsight, and especially the transformation of the book’s "cover girl" Brandy from a dangerous throwaway to a happy, reliable partner. Clear, detailed photographs show the subtle body language of horses and people, and illustrate critical interactions that make a real difference in our relationships, communication, and training. These are a few of the concrete skills you will learn: · Earn trust starting the moment you meet a horse. · Recognize “misbehavior” that actually means your horse is thinking like a partner. · Turn pressure into clear communication instead of stress. · Use Positive Reinforcement for better learning, behavior, and reliability. · Turn anxiety and spooks into confidence building situations. · Discourage unwanted behavior without punishment. · Allow your horse appropriate choices and freedom. As your bond strengthens, you can enjoy watching your horse’s true personality blossom. A thoughtful, progressive book for riders of all disciplines and students of the horse of all experience levels.

Barrel racers put a lot of effort and expense into improving their skills and developing their horses. But even when they seem to be doing everything right, it's not uncommon to continuously miss the mark in competition. The problem often lies in inconsistencies or weaknesses in the rider's inner game - the aspects of competition that aren't always easy to see, but have perhaps an even greater impact on our end results. Finally, a resource has been created to assist barrel racers on the path to truly becoming more confident from the inside out. The Confident Barrel Racer covers eight key areas and concludes with two special bonus sections. Challenges of Competition - Develop awareness that prevents you from falling victim to the dangers that exist in the competition environment. Fierce Love - Get off the endless roller coaster of emotions to develop a steady, unwavering level of confidence regardless of your circumstances or results. Self & Source - An introduction to two key relationships, that when developed and nurtured, will turn your life around. Four Steps to Confidence - A step-by-step guide to creating confidence, by helping you to first master change in the moment, then offering support all the way through integration. Be Here Now - Today is a gift, that is why we call it the present. Learn how to be in the moment, the perfect mental space to be in a run, where self-doubt cannot exist. Practices - Being a winner in the arena means developing winning habits in all aspects of life. Develop practices in three areas to optimize your confidence. Tips for Competition - Specific action steps for overcoming nerves, getting into the perfect mindset, and creating laser-like focus to perform your best. Confidence Smashers - Have past experiences, horses, or people damaged your confidence? Get tips for overcoming past and present challenges. The Confident Horse - There's more to developing a confident horse than just being a confident rider. Learn how to build your equine partner's confidence. Additional Resources - Recommend books, programs and more for further personal development and confidence building.

How tack and the way you use it affects your horse's biomechanics and soundness. The thinking rider's tack book -- the international manual with a difference.