The Complete Training of the Horse and Rider by Alois Podhajsky

The Complete Training of the

Horse and Rider

In the Principles of

Classical Horsemanship

by Alois Podhajsky

Former Director of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna

Colonel Alois Podhajsky became director of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, home of the famous Lipizzaner stallions, in 1939. During WWII, with the help of General Patton he managed to save horses and keep them under American protection. He was the Director for over 25 years and in this book he sets forth explicit, practical, step by step instructions for training both horse and rider that are used at the school. This training develops the natural abilities of the horse and is the foundation for all good horsemanship.

From the beginning training on the lounge and mounted-from the walk, trot , canter, the halt, half halt, lateral work and on to the more advanced levels, the piaffe, passage, piroutte, and other figures are clearly described. Contact with the bit, collection, bending, position of the head-- are all discussed.

Training of the rider is meticulously described with full attention to the use of the aids. Equipment is analized in detail. Then the unique revelation on how the spectacular "airs above the ground" movements are acheived.

This is a definitive book on classical horsemanship and belongs in every horsemans library.

Hard cover with dustjacket, book very good , dj chipped with some wear, copyright 1967, illustrated with photos and diagrams, 287 pages