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California Riding Magazine • July, 2010 Book Reviews |
It’s All About Breakthroughs It’s All About Breakthroughs contains the wisdom Bob Jeffreys has gained in working with horses and their owners for over 40 years. Jeffreys wrote the book in response to students’ requests that he provide a written version of his philosophies and teaching methods. I’m glad they did, because this book is very informative and easy to put into practice. Jeffreys calls his form of horsemanship “Partnership Training for Horse and Rider,” and refers to Part—Partner—Partnership. He writes, “I’ll show you how to gain control over various individual parts of the horse which makes it easier to control the whole horse. I’ll explain why you should treat your horse as your partner, not your pet, and to employ riding techniques that are designed to take your partnership to a level beyond that which you thought possible.” The book is broken into three sections—“Phase 1: Ground & Under-Saddle Foundation Exercises,” “Phase 2: Advanced Exercises Under Saddle,” and “Phase 3: Training Patterns to Build on Your Breakthroughs.” There are numerous photographs to illustrate each chapter. Every chapter also contains “Bob Says” sayings (short, practical information) as well as longer sidebars with stories from experiences. My favorite tip is, “...imagine that your legs are actually long enough to scrape along the arena surface.” When I do this, my body aligns into a correct, secure position. Phase 1 covers such topics as gaining trust, building confidence, and the “move” cue. These chapters give advice on how to put the foundation on a horse, one that is safe to be around, to mount and to move on cue. Phase 2 is the part that I found especially informative—gaining control over the “10 parts to partnership”: jaw, poll, ears, neck, front feet, withers, barrel, hindquarters, shoulder points and nose. Even though I had great control over my horse’s neck, I found that I was lacking control of the jaw. Once I had fixed this hole in her training, her lateral flexion greatly improved. Phase 3 is about combining the body parts or, as Jeffreys states, “This is where we can utilize the ‘tools’ we now have in our ‘toolbox.’” He gives 13 exercises so the rider can practice using the tools. These start with riding a straight line (which can be harder than it sounds) and continue to flying lead changes. A suggestion in Jeffreys’ closing comments is to keep a diary, and he includes a training form that can be photocopied. Since it is very easy to get discouraged around horses, a diary that charts progress can be invaluable to show how far a rider has actually come and what goals have already been accomplished. Jeffreys’ writing style is clear and easy to understand and is organized in a very logical order. It’s All About Breakthroughs is a worthwhile book for riders wanting to form a great relationship with their horse as well as ride that horse competently. Reviewer Dianne Chapman McCleery is a writer and editor who rides with a natural horsemanship trainer in the Sierra Nevada foothills.
The Modern Horseman’s Countdown to Broke: REAL Do-It-Yourself Horse Training in 33 Comprehensive Steps When starting a horse, you want the best literature and tools to safely lay a proper foundation. Instruction makes the process as uneventful and smooth as possible. The Modern Horseman’s Countdown to Broke, by horseman Sean Patrick, is a must-have reference for someone who starts colt and for anyone who wants to remind a trained horse of the basics. While there is no fail proof way to do it, this book really did a great job of illustrating one proper and “modern” method to start a young horse in a way that is fair on both the trainer and trainee. It would benefit every trainer’s collection. Before reading this book, I was skeptical of the 33 Step program, thinking it would be a cookie cutter method of another natural horsemanship trainer. This book promises to be different. The 33 steps acted as an outline to follow as you make your way down the “countdown.” The organization is precise and if you do the homework before each step there will be ease in the next one. Patrick draws out the objectives of each lesson, how to do them, what areas of the body to target, where they should go, and when to move on or go back a step. He does not use a deadline for each step, and stresses that there are different pressure levels for each particular horse. He even gives specific tips for any problems encountered at each step of the countdown, whether it was trainer error or an equine misunderstanding. Patrick tells you how to use his techniques in english tack, but the book is primarily geared toward starting a horse for western disciplines. It does give your horse the early steps needed for doing more complex reining and reined cow horse maneuvers. The one thing I wanted more from the book was a training DVD or CD that would show the exercises in video segments. Aside from that, I learned a lot from its straightforward and simple approach. It could be a great reference tool if you are breaking your horse in. One thing is certain, if you want to start and finish your youngster correctly be sure to add The Modern Horseman’s Countdown to Broke to your collection. Reviewer Paige Hill is an intern at California Riding Magazine. She has trained and shown in hunter/jumper and reining disciplines, and has worked for racehorse breeding farms and the yearling sales in Lexington, KY. She is finishing up her degree in Communication Studies at University of San Diego to pursue a career in journalism.
Josephine – A Tale of Hope and Happy Endings Josephine, a great-granddaughter of the famous racehorse Seabiscuit, loses her mother days after her birth. This is her inspiring true story that touches the hearts of the young and old alike. Josephine is a moving tale for anyone who has lost someone they have loved but has succeeded in finding a new start and the courage to love again. This read-aloud book is perfect for young horse lovers or as a gift for someone in need of something special from a young filly who faces one of life’s great challenges with the heart of a champion. I remember the day Josephine was born. The week before we had taken a group of guests to Ridgewood Ranch to tour the estate of Charles Howard and then to ride on the trails that Seabiscuit had recovered on with Red Pollard. When we got to the mare barn Lacy was in the first stall and like all expectant mothers, she was ... waiting. After lunch and a wonderful ride I returned to check on her and we exchanged the knowing glances only mothers can share. I assured her The following week when we arrived at Ridgewood there was the hustle and bustle at the mare barn and we rode off thinking that by the time we came back in the afternoon there would be a new lil’ biscuit to see. But we returned to an air of serious concern rather than joyous excitement and we maintained a respectful distance. By dinner I heard that Lacy and her new foal were on their way to UC Davis. A few days later the news arrived that my dear friend Jacqueline had lost Lacy and my heart strings tugged knowing that just the year before she had lost Bronze Sea’s mother. I was though not in the least surprised that Jacqueline put all of her own grief aside and put Josephine and that sweet foal’s needs ahead of her own. The next time I saw Jacqueline she had that beautiful exhaustion of all new mothers who had been up all night nursing her newborn. A few days later she brought Josephine home and relinquished her own role to Midnight – I think only because Josephine could already run circles around her! But this is the story of Josephine and the beautiful bond that develops between her and Midnight, her new mother. And as Midnight graciously steps into Lacy’s horseshoes she teaches Josephine that Lacy will always be in her life but one’s ability to love has no bounds. I now look forward to seeing Josephine on each visit to Seabiscuit’s home. Under Jacqueline and Midnight’s care she has grown into a beautiful young lady. But this enchanting book chronicles those first few precious weeks of her young life and is a rare gift to us all. This delightful book can be purchased while touring Ridgewood Ranch, Seabiscuit’s home in Willits where Josephine is currently entertaining the guests by racing around her pasture. Or you may obtain a copy from The Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation at www.seabiscuitheritage.org. The proceeds from the sale of this book support the Ridgewood T.R.A.I.L. Riders Association, a therapeutic riding program, and The Frank R. Howard Foundation raising funds for a new Howard Hospital in Willits. Ann Zollinger is the owner of Dream Horse Vacations and a volunteer docent for the Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation in Northern California’s Willits.
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