Title: "Horse Gaits, Balance and Movement: The natural mechanics of movement common to all breeds."
Author: Suan E. Harris
Publisher: HowellBook House Publisher Website
Rating: ***** (5 out of 5)
MSRP: $21.99
In her book, Harris does an outstanding job breaking down and explaining the movement of the horse within the context of classical riding principles, and with the aid of over 3000 illustrations.
The book begins with a brief discussion of why the reader - and all riders, should take the time to study equine gaits, balance and movement. The author then progresses to an anatomy lesson; describing what denotes good conformation along with conformational faults (a topic revisited in even greater depth further on in the book), and an explanation of equine skeletal and muscular systems at rest and in motion. From there the book goes on to illustrate the mechanics of the gaits, the effects of impulsion and engagement (or lack thereof) and what differentiates the overall qualities of a good gait from a poor one. Included are examples of good and bad transitions, the phases of a horse's jumping effort and a detailed study of rider influence on the horse's balance and gaits.
Overall this book is a must-have for any serious equestrian's library. The information is fantastic and the illustrations are clear and precise - enhancing even the most advanced reader's understanding of this vital material.
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