Horses & Jumping

HORSES AND JUMPING

Now can you discover if a horse lie rit qualifications to become a good boa lumper, and how can you ectively develop the qualities that are especially important for jumping?

These are questions of vital importance to all who are involved in the show jumping world. The Swedish authors of Horses and Jumping, writing from the jewpoints of veterinary surgeon, siner, competition rider and riding instructor, provide some fascinating rew answers. They believe that in order to breed, train and ride show jumping horses successfully, it is essential to understand exactly what happens to the horse in the process of jumping.

In the first part of their book they reassess conventional principles and draw new conclusions regarding the 'mechanism of the horse: the nerve and muscle systems, the different senses. reflexes and co-ordination between brain and movement. The behaviour of the horse in the different stages of the jump is examined in detail, and routine exercises by which both horse and rider may improve their performance are provided, with reference to specific types of fence and obstacle. A section on the breeding and training of young horses for show jumping purposes is of particular interest as it is based on the nethods used in Sweden.

The second part of the book consists of series of nearly 400 slow-motion pictures taken at Hickstead of such famous international show jumpers as David Broome, Raimondo d'Inzeo, Harvey Smith and Alwin Schockemöhle.  These extraordinary photographs, together with concise explanatory captions, complement the text perfectly, analysing the action of the jumping horse and providing invaluable material from which to study different styles and techniques of horses and their riders in the show ring.

Secondhand, ex-library, ok condition - don't pass it over all the same!  Brilliant and rare book.