The power of positive horse training

The key to harmonious horse-human partnerships What would compel a half-ton animal to obey a mere human? In The Power of Positive Horse Training, expert trainer Sarah Blanchard presents concrete answers-from the horse's point of view. Harnessing the equine system of logic, she shows owners, riders, and trainers how to satisfy their horse's needs and desires through rewards-based training. Blanchard presents a series of practical exercises for positive reinforcement in specific training situations, both on the ground and in the saddle. Readers then learn how to use their new "horse's-eye view" to solve a series of basic behavioral problems that all equestrians face. Sarah Blanchard (Hilo, HI) is a horse trainer and riding instructor with four decades of experience and special expertise in dressage and combined training.

Acknowledgments. Preface. . Part 1: The Nature of Positive Training . 1. Why Do Horses (Usually) Do What We Tell Them? 2. What Horses Really Want Us to Know. 3. Portrait of the Trainer as a Wise Old Mare. 4. Setting and Meeting Your Training Goals. 5. Rehabilitating the Problem Horse. . Part 2: Progressive Exercises . 6. Discovering Trust, Respect, and Reward through Touch. 7. Developing the Habits of Please and Thank You. 8. Essential Warm-Up Stretches for Your Horse. 9. Finding Your Balance in the Saddle, I. 10. Finding Your Balance in the Saddle, II. 11. Go, Stop, Engage. 12. Squares, Octagons, Circles. 13. Lateral Yeswork, Not Guesswork. 14. Overhead and Underfoot: Combat Training. 15. Using Positive Training to Find Solutions to Six Common Problems. Epilogue. Glossary. References. Index.