Right from the Start: Create a Sane, Soft, Well-Balanced Horse: Amazon.ca: Michael Schaffer: Books

Product Description

A groundbreaking training book that will improve horse-and-rider partnerships everywhere.

From the Publisher

When you see a horse under saddle that looks light, elegant, and graceful—as though he’s having the best time of his life—that horse is moving in “true balance.” Right from the Start introduces trainers and riders to the fundamentals of training a horse to perform with these desirable qualities. Author Michael Schaffer offers clear instruction on his unique methods of starting young horses as well as re–schooling those that lack a good training foundation. Using techniques both on the ground and under saddle, Schaffer reveals the key to success—teaching the horse to soften and move into the rider’s hand. Right from the Start offers training principles that produce happy, well–trained horses, enabling riders to succeed in any area of the sport they choose—dressage, jumping, reining, trail, or just riding for fun. Michael Schaffer has trained horses professionally for more than 25 years; he works out of New Start Farm in central New Jersey.

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Customer Reviews

9 Reviews

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
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Average Customer Review

4.7 out of 5 stars (9 customer reviews)

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5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommend this book, Oct 29 2009

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Samantha Macgregor "Sammyqc" (Gatineau, Qc, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Right from the Start: Create a Sane, Soft, Well-Balanced Horse (Hardcover)

I read this book in its entirety the day I received it. It is very detailed, concise and well written. The author explains how to do things, and why, making it simple to understand. You will find the lightbulb going off after the first few pages.
Finally, someone explains a true half halt in a way that I can actually understand and implement. His whole philosophy of asking and rewarding the correct behavior and not using punishment is exactly right. I could not recommend this book more!
This book should be a must read for anyone starting a young horse, or retraining. I wouldn't recommend it to a beginner rider, but invaluable for starting a green horse. I can't wait to get out to the barn tomorrow and work with my two year old thoroughbred. I'm looking forward to implementing and incorporating these training ideas.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Fills in those training gaps other books skip over!, Mar 7 2004

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J. Skaife (Lafayette, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Right from the Start: Create a Sane, Soft, Well-Balanced Horse (Hardcover)

I have been reading a lot of books about starting young horses recently and this is by far the best. Aside from the fact that it is well written and easy to follow, I feel that it answers the questions most books skip over and puts simply into words what is difficult to describe. Although there are many books that offer advice on starting young horses, many of them tell you what to do - ground schooling, long lining, lungeing - but don't give any insight on what you are trying to acheive in terms of balance, bend and contact. This book fills in those gaps and more.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Not done reading it yet...., Sep 3 2003

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"barnespaddock" (Angier, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Right from the Start: Create a Sane, Soft, Well-Balanced Horse (Hardcover)

I have been teaching and reschooling horses for about 23 years now. I use methods from Sally Swift to Linda Tellington Jones - back to 'old school' of Reiner Klimker and DeNemethy & Seunig.

I purchased this book with a gift certificate, and then when I got it sort of flipped thru the pictures and didn't think much of it. Until I purchased a 4 year old stallion.

I started reading thru, and will admit I have not read the entire thing, but only the first few sections.

I have got to say I was impressed. In the first few sections I have read there was not much specifics of how to do 'dressage movements' or the same old same old with 'frame' or 'aids'. But he really gives the reader something to get to the basic root of HOW a horse LEARNS something. I have read a lot of great authors, and I gathered some new 'insights' - not new fads, but basic stuff that should START with a horses ground handling from day one (and many times doesn't).

Hey, even if the book gets worse from here - I have PULLED something usefull from the little bit I have read.

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Most recent customer reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars 3 stars is a little more than fair!!!
This book has some great tips, but also has a lot of techniques I do not agree with. Such as sesawing the horses mouth and pulling with both arms on a horses mouth to make them... Read more

Published on Mar 2 2004 by Ashleigh

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best training books ever.
Michael Schaffer explains so many of the small details that many trainers can't put into words- and explains the "whys" to go with it. Read more