Horse Training In-Hand: A Modern Guide to Working from the Ground: Long Lines, Long and Short Reins, Work on the Longe »

Ellen Schuthof-Lesmeister owns and operates a horse training facility in the countryside near Amsterdam. She has had extensive formal training in jumping and dressage and currently studies with Portuguese masters Francisco Bessa de Carvalho and Pedro Baptista de Almeida. Kip Mistral is an equestrian journalist who has contributed more than 75 articles to equine publications. She lives in Pine Valley, California.

Bringing new life to time-tested techniques, this gorgeously illustrated book shows how "in-hand" methods can be used by the modern equestrian to better a horse's performance in any discipline. Thorough, step-by-step instructions for promoting subtle communication via the handler's voice, body, and reins will improve the horse's straightness, suppleness, balance, collection, and understanding of the aids. With its ability to improve communication between participants and instill in the horse lightness and obedience, these methods are the perfect way to start an immature or green horse, safely begin remedial training with a problem animal, confirm movements taught first under saddle, maintain an older horse's flexibility and balance, and allow those unable to ride a method to continue training and conditioning their horse at the highest level. Specific exercises cover the longe and double-longe lines, long lines, and long and short reins. Featuring patterns that put all the lessons together, the book confirms that in-hand training is the very best way to teach and condition a horse for both serious schooling and recreational pursuit.

Horsemen's Yankee Pedlar

This book shows how schooling in-hand can improve not only the horse's movement, but also communication between horse and human ... . A great book for learning the importance of groundwork!

Contents Foreword by Sylvia Loch....................vii
Preface: About Ellen Schuthof-Lesmeister and About This Book....................ix
PART I: Orientation to Work In-Hand....................1
Getting Started: Important Terminology....................3
What It Means to Work In-Hand....................6
Benefits for the Horse and Handler....................8
Benefits for the Horse....................8
Benefits for the Handler....................8
The Elements of Balance....................9
Lateral Suppleness....................9
Suppleness and Strength of the Back....................10
When to Begin Work In-Hand....................12
Conformation, Collection, and Flexion....................12
Defining the Types of Work In-Hand....................14
1: Basic Longeing....................14
2: Double Longeing....................15
3: Long-Lining....................15
4: Work in Short Reins....................15
5: Work in Long Reins....................16
Correct Equipment for Work In-Hand....................18
The Philosophy of Training in Lightness....................28
PART II: Longeing and Double-Longeing....................31
Introduction....................33
Basic Longeing....................34
Lesson 1: Evaluate Obedience, Flexibility, and Weight-Carrying Ability....................34
Lesson 2: Walk, Halt, Trot, Canter....................43
Lesson 3: Longeing in Side Reins....................51
Double-Longeing....................56
Lesson 1: Introduction to the Double Longe Lines....................56
Lesson 2: Double-Longeing on theCircle and Figure Eight....................58
PART III: Long-Lining....................67
Introduction....................69
Lesson 1: Walk, Halt, Trot, Rein-Back, Change Rein Across the Diagonal, and Reverse Direction....................70
PART IV: Work in Short Reins....................77
Introduction....................79
Defining Basic Lateral Positions....................79
Speed....................84
Space....................85
Lesson 1: Walk, Halt, Rein-Back, and Trot on the Rail....................86
Lesson 2: Yield to the "Leg"....................96
Lesson 3: Shoulder-Out and Shoulder-In....................101
Lesson 4: Half-Pass....................112
Lesson 5: Renvers (Haunches-Out)....................118
Lesson 6: Travers (Haunches-In)....................122
Lesson 7: Piaffe....................130
Lesson 8: Putting It All Together....................136
PART V: Work in Long Reins....................141
Introduction....................143
Position for Work in Long Reins....................143
Handling the Whip....................144
Safety First!....................145
Know Your Horse....................146
Therapeutic Benefits of Long Rein Exercises....................147
Lesson 1: Walk, Halt, Trot, Rein-Back....................148
Lesson 2: Making Circles....................153
Lesson 3: Yielding....................157
Lesson 4: Shoulder-Out and Travers....................161
Lesson 5: Shoulder-In and Renvers....................166
Lesson 6: Half-Pass....................170
Lesson 7: Piaffe....................174
Lesson 8: Finale "Free" Long-Reining....................179
Acknowledgments....................185
Index....................187