Are you trying to learn more about training your horse? Many people learn very effectively by reading. There are some wonderful horse training books for every level and every discipline.
The best horse training books are the ones that you learn from and give you something to work on with your own horse.
There are many types of horse training, and books are available for almost any area of interest. Natural Horsemanship, groundwork, clicker training, dressage, horsemanship, jumping, rider mechanics, etc. All of these categories have informational horse books for any rider because you can learn from any discipline and incorporate the training into your own.
Related Post: The Best Horse Books for Kids
This list of horse training books has been broken down into a few main categories:
- Groundwork Training
- General Horse Training Books
- Riding Books
- Discipline Specific Training Books
Groundwork training
Ground Training 101 by Cherry Hill
This is a great introduction and overview of ground work training for horses. This is an easy to use guide that can be brought out to the arena with you for easy reference while working your horse.
Reaching the Animal Mind: Clicker Training and What it Teaches Us About All Animals by Karen Pryor
Have you wondered what you can accomplish with Clicker Training and your horse? Then check out this book by Karen Pryor. It discusses the benefits and methods of clicker training for all animals, including horses.
Horse Training In-Hand by Ellen Schuthof-Lesmeister
This horse training book can teach you effective methods for training a horse in-hand and using a longe line, long lines and reins from the ground.
General Horse Training
How to Think Like a Horse by Cherry Hill
“How to Think Like a Horse” explores and explains how horses perceive the world and how this affects our relationship with them. This is a great guide for understanding how your horse thinks and how you can interact with them more effectively.
My Horses, My Teachers by Alois Podhajsky
Alois Podhajsky was the former director of the Spanish Riding School. His book explores the relationship between horse and rider and shows a kind and gracious method of working with horses. A classic book for learning general horsemanship.
Riding Logic by Wilhelm Museler
It’s probably best to purchase the older version of this book because it is a lot cheaper, but you can get a newer updated version with color photos if you prefer.
Riding Logic provides a wonderful guide to equitation for any discipline. This book will help you improve your riding, which will benefit your progress, or showing, or at the very least – your relationship with your horse.
The Ultimate Horse Behavior and Training Book by Linda Tellington-Jones
This horse training book is a wonderful introduction to Linda Tellington-Jones’ methods for training. The Ultimate Horse Behavior and Training Book provides an introduction to body work including the TTouch method, as well as behavior problem solving methods for horse training.
Riding improvement Books
Centered Riding by Sally Swift
This is a great instructional horse training book about the mechanics of riding and getting into the correct position. Sally Swift uses visualization and analogies to explain the why and how of riding mechanics.
How Good Riders Get Good by Denny Emerson
Denny Emerson breaks down the the decisions that lead to good riders becoming good riders. This is great motivation to reach your goals and become a great rider.
The United States Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship by Susan E. Harris
This is a great beginner’s guide to horse training and care. The Pony Club manual is a broad overview of all areas of horse care, and is especially applicable to young riders just starting with horses. There are also additional levels of the Pony Club Manual if you want to keep progressing through the Pony Club Levels. (The lowest level is D, and the levels increase as you approach A)
Specific Discipline Horse Training Books
Hunter Seat Equitation by George Morris
George Morris is the king of hunter equitation so who better to author this book. A great guide to hunter seat equitation – this book is sure to improve your riding for pleasure or show.
Dressage for the 21st Century by Paul Belasik
This is a great guide for the modern dressage rider. A well illustrated guide that will improve your dressage riding.
Training Hunters, Jumpers and Hacks by Harry D. Chamberlin
This book in an oldie but great book. It was published in 1974, but the jumping principles are still so relevant to today. Learn to improve your jumping, position and rides by reading this wonderful horse training book.
The Schooling of the Western Horse by John Richard Young
A great book for handling horses in general and also schooling a western horse. Another old book, but by an author who was ahead of his time in his training principles.
Leave a Reply