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K. A. von Ziegner
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The Elements of Dressage: A Guide to Training the Young Horse Hardcover – December 1, 2002

4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 54 ratings
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Everything you need to know to train a horse for dressage or high-level competition.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    128 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Lyons Pr
  4. Publication date
    December 1, 2002
  5. Dimensions
    7 x 0.75 x 9.75 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1585747351
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1585747351
  8. See all details
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From the Back Cover

Drawing on centuries of European practice, The Elements of Dressage will help any reader perfect the union between horse and rider. Dressage has been around since the time of the ancient Greeks, but reached its heights in Europe, and particularly in Germany. The German approach is now the preferred method in most countries, and the author has been teaching it for more than fifty years.There are ten principal elements in the German method, and they include: relaxation, regularity, freedom, contact, straightness, and Durchlassigkeit.Both beginning and advanced trainers and riders will learn why the ten elements exist, how to develop them in a horse, and even when not to use them. Starting with the basics, and moving on towards the most subtle aspects, The Elements of Dressage is the complete guide to the art of training and riding a horse. (7 x 9 3/4, 128 pages, diagrams)Kurd Albrecht von Ziegner has operated an internationally renowned riding school in Mechtersen, Germany, south of Hamburg, since 1971. Trained as an officer in the cavalry school in Hannover, he became a leading NATO officer in the 1950s and took over, among other things, the construction of the Turkish cavalry school in Ankara. He is also one of the most prominent and successful dressage trainers in the United States, where he developed a new judging system, the Prix St. James. Winner of the German Rider Cross in Gold, the author shares insights from more than fifty years of training. He is also the author of many articles and books, including The Basics: A Guideline for Successful Training.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lyons Pr; First Edition (December 1, 2002)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 128 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1585747351
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1585747351
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 0.75 x 9.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 54 ratings

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K. A. von Ziegner

K. A. von Ziegner

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
54 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Amy Gesell
5.0 out of 5 stars Every Rider from Every Discipline Should Have This Book
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2013
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The Elements of Dressage is a wonderful, wonderful book whether or not you are involved in the discipline of dressage or not. The "Tree of Dressage" mentioned in this book is something that I think every rider/trainer should take into consideration. While varying disciplines may not agree with the suggested ages of training the horses, I will say that understanding the horse's body mechanics, the importance of having a rounded, relaxed and engaged horse cannot be stressed enough. . .and this book tells you how to work toward that.

What this book is NOT is a riding instruction book, nor is it a thorough "training from the ground up." I would not suggest this book as an introduction to people who have little to no knowledge about horses. Or, at least a newbie should read this with the understanding that there is much more information that needs to be learned before they can appreciate the content of this book.
2 people found this helpful
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C. M. Takeuchi
5.0 out of 5 stars Super Easy and Understandable Book
Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2011
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So far, I've been really happy with this book. It's easy to read and the concepts are easy to grasp, and if you don't get them, they are worded in such a way that makes it easy for you to search on the internet to understand what they are talking about. I definitely don't know much about training, but this book so far is giving me the confidence to be able to train my mom's QHTB (half Quarter Horse + half Thoroughbred) gelding. For a long time, I was wondering where I'm supposed to start when it comes to training a horse, and this book has definitely given me those steps with which I'm to follow. I would definitely suggest this book to any horse person!
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Susan
5.0 out of 5 stars Wisdom Applied to Basics
Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2011
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This is an excellent book. Every horse presents a unique situation, and it's easy to forget the basics of the discipline of classical dressage. Von Ziegner presents a clear model based on the German Training Scale or the Pyramid of Training. He suggests changes in the Scale based on his experience and offers a rationale for each change. His changes and rationale ring true to me. I have ridden the test designed by this knowledgeable man, the Prix St James test, and loved it. I am sorry that it is rarely offered in shows today. Sometimes sequence matters, and training a horse is one of those times. Von Ziegner has the sequence right.
One person found this helpful
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M. Gates
5.0 out of 5 stars This needs to be in every riders bookshelf!
Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2019
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This is a must read if you love dressage. It is so well written and so interesting. I started reading it a second time because it was so filled with incredible knowledge.
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Lynn R.
4.0 out of 5 stars Good radiation to my library
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2014
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If you love to collect books about the sport of dressage, you would be remiss not to have this one on your shelves
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windspeed
5.0 out of 5 stars full of love for the horse
Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2014
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Von Ziegner is the last of the last cavalry veteran riding masters. He is insightful, full of love for the horse, and interprets the world-famous HDV12 (German Cavalry Manual for Horse and Rider, also now available in English) in a way that makes dressage comprehensible for anybody.
Just love this man, who - now in his nineties - is the last of his kind.
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event rider
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2012
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This is an excellent and understandable book explaining the steps needed when training any horse and the time frame it may take. The respect of the horse is paramount (very important to me). It is helpful for needed basic training for a youngster or any horse to progress - which most of us could use! I am an experienced rider, and I still found it helpful. Buy it!
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Hillcrest
5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous Book!
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2011
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This is a wonderful book. I bought a copy for myself, and liked it so well that I bought one for a friend. Neither of us rides dressage, but want to apply the principals to our general riding. The writing is clear and very informative. It has certainly helped me relax my horse, and it has also helped me become more focused on lightness for both of us. Highly recommend!
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Top reviews from other countries

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janice french
5.0 out of 5 stars Book good condition, service very good
Reviewed in Australia on May 9, 2021
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Book just as I expected
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jd
5.0 out of 5 stars indispensable
Reviewed in France on November 8, 2015
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L'échelle de progression revue, corrigée et complétée par l'un des fondateurs du concept : von Ziegner.
Le texte est particulièrement clair et précis, les conseils respectueux du cheval et comme le dirait le Dr. Pierre Pradier de son "inné locomoteur". Les illustrations sont également riches d'enseignement : des chevaux en équilibre avec de belles musculatures et parfaitement en place.
Les conseils sont applicables au quotidien et permettent de détecter et de résoudre bon nombre de problème via l'échelle de progression à la von Ziegler qui comptent 10 points (et plus 6 comme dans l'échelle de progression usuelle) : décontraction, rythme/énergie, liberté des allures/souplesse, contact, "dans les aides", rectitude, équilibre, Durchlässigkeit, Swung (impulsion supérieure), rassembler.
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c walters
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
Reviewed in Canada on April 2, 2013
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A well written step by step gentle, logical guide to training the young horse using the classical method. For any rider interested in training a young horse classically with a solid foundation for any discipline and competition level.
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Freshman
5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 12, 2013
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A very clearly written book and extremely informative. I absolutely recommend it for anyone's library. This is not a how to book but more of a why book. It explains the development of the horse through the classical training system and where your horse should be before moving to the next step. Excellent book.
One person found this helpful
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Steve Jarrett
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 30, 2018
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Replacement for a lost copy; sadly the lost copy was inscribed & signed by the author
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