This classic memoir by the former director of the renowned Spanish Riding School explores the age-old relationship between horse and rider. Timeless, inspiring, and full of valuable advice. A book every rider should read.

This classic memoir by Alois Podhajsky, Director of the renowned Spanish Riding School, explores the age-old relationship between horse and rider. Timeless, inspiring, and full of invaluable advice for all horsemen.

There is a well known saying that "when the student is ready, the teacher will appear" (Buddhist Proverb) - well, my teachers have appeared in the form of horses and continue to do so. Anyone who has spent any length of time around horses cannot have failed to have observed some of the profound lessons they are able to teach us. The question however, is whether we have actually learnt from them! Inside the covers of this book, you will find some of those lessons that I am now sharing with you so that their legacy can grow and 'ripple' outwards. There have been so many lessons but these are some of the most important. They are presented through pictures, thoughts and observations, including those given to me by our horses and ponies and also through some of the journal and blog entries I have made to illustrate the lesson. They are not in any particular order and can be read as a kind of 'journey' as we have experienced them or as individual gifts of motivation and learning; whichever suits you.

For over a quarter of a century, Colonel Alois Podhajsky was the Director of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, home of the famous white Lipizzaner stallions whose remarkable performances have thrilled audiences throughout the world. Now for the first time, Col. Podhajsky has set forth explicitly and in practical, instructive fashion the step-by-step methods of training both horse and rider that are used at the School and that are the applicable foundations of all good horsemanship, for their purpose is to develop the natural abilities of the horse and to make riding a graceful, pleasurable experience.

A collection of short non-fiction pieces by various authors about how they experienced personal growth through a relationship with horses.

In 'Wow, my teacher is a horse!', scientifically based theory and practical examples clearly explain how the horse can play a role in strengthening executive functions through experiential learning. Since 2004 Paulien Rutgers has been working in horse-assisted interventions which aim to encourage children with specific needs to develop their strenghts and abilities. More than half of these children suffer from school dropout and/or risky behavior. They need support for one or more executive functions, with feedback to their family and school. Horses have a positive effect on the learning ability, the self-reflection and the awareness of these children. In this book, Paulien Rutgers brings together all her experience and the results of her search for the explanation of the effect that horses have on the behaviour and cognition of the target group. She attended national and international symposia, lectures and courses, studied articles and books, conducted passionate interviews with researchers and colleagues, resulting in a conclusive theory which translates into practice. This is an indispensable book for students of Animal Assisted Therapy courses, of applied social studies, pedagogy and psychology as well as for teachers in those studies, as for professionals in the field of animals in care....

Ariana Strozzi, pioneer in the field of incorporating horses into human development, explains the steps you need to take to plan your education and business in the horse as healer/teacher professions.