By BHB Staff
February 2020
This article reviews the top 10 best horse training books for beginners available online.
Training a horse can be an extensive process with plenty to learn about and know all throughout. One of the best ways to learn, aside from direct field work, is through the experience of some of the top experts in the business. Without actually hiring a physical horse trainer to come work with you, anyone can pickup one of the expert’s books and gain a wealth of valuable knowledge anyway. In that very spirit, we’ve reviewed a wide variety of horse training books out right now and come up with a list of the very best picks. So, here they are – the top 10 best horse training books for beginners and the like available for purchase now.
1. Connection Training: The Heart and Science of Positive Horse Training
Connection Training: The Heart and Science of Positive Horse Training is a great work by expert-authors Hannah Weston and Rachel Bedingfield that really presses the importance of the emotional side of horse training. At the root of much of the horse learning process is emotion. This book explains the ins and outs of mastering that layer of emotions in order to then master all training thereafter.
2. Horse Training for Beginners: Beginner’s Guide to Successfully Understanding and Training Your Horse
Horse Training for Beginners: Beginner’s Guide to Successfully Understanding and Training Your Horse is an excellent work by Colin Gildon that covers a wide range of horse subject matter. From the initial buy to training, attitude, and more, this read covers it. A significant and very valuable portion of this book also covers the vocal command system and how to understand it at a master level.
3. Storey’s Guide to Training Horses, 3rd Edition: Ground Work, Driving, Riding
Storey’s Guide to Training Horses, 3rd Edition: Ground Work, Driving, Riding came out in 2018 and has helped many since with a thorough write-up on virtually all aspects of horse training. We also like the full approach offered in this book with respect to both western and English equestrian styles. Whether you’re a pro looking for continued education or a complete beginner, from gaits, mounting, saddling, commands, training procedures, and much more, this one has it all.
4. Cherry Hill’s Horse Care for Kids: Grooming, Feeding, Behavior, Stable & Pasture, Health Care, Handling & Safety, Enjoying
This great horse training guide by expert trainer Cherry Hill provides a veritable Bible for new learners that comes directly from a leading expert’s repertoire. This one covers the whole gambit, from training to simple safety and enjoyment best practices. Easy to read, well-organized, and full of all you need to become a proficient horse trainer, Cherry Hill’s Horse Care for Kids: Grooming, Feeding, Behavior, Stable & Pasture, Health Care, Handling & Safety, Enjoying is an excellent choice.
5. Horses in Translation: Essential Lessons in Horse Speak: Learn to “Listen” and “Talk” in Their Language
Published in 2018, this relatively new guide to horse training takes a great, alternative approach in horse training – the mastery of horse “talk”, or understanding the animal’s behaviors and actions incredibly deeply. Through this learned ability, one can then go on to master all sorts of training endeavors. The author’s horse language classification system is also incredibly helpful and insightful to understanding horses on a deeper level.
6. Complete Horse Care Manual
As its name suggests, the Complete Horse Care Manual is exactly that – a complete guide to all things horses. Within the pages of this great piece, one can find a whole wealth of knowledge on areas such as proper diet and nutrition, exercise, horse psychology, training approaches, and plenty more. This is one of horse expert Colin Vogel’s many written works on horses.
7. Forward: Riding with Eloise King: A Horse Training Manual for Beginner Thru Advanced
Part of the Eloise King Horse Books series, Forward: Riding with Eloise King: A Horse Training Manual for Beginner Thru Advanced is another great book for those shooting to become expert equestrians. The reader here will find sure success and some excellent insight with the book’s fail-proof, three-part training system. A great willingness to learn, as the reader will find, is the foundation for all great things to come.
8. 101 Ground Training Exercises for Every Horse & Handler
Another of expert trainer Cherry Hill’s works hits our list and for good reason. 101 Ground Training Exercises for Every Horse & Handler is an excellent resource that teaches in a way that embraces each possible trainer skill level. Included areas of focus are catching techniques, driving, goal-setting, training lessons, and more. Cherry Hill is a world-renowned instructor horse trainer from whom countless other pros have learned, too.
9. Horseback Riding: The Complete Beginner’s Guide – All You Need To Know About Horseback Riding BEFORE Your Take Lessons!
As the title of this top horse training book might outwardly suggest, this one gives a great rundown of the complete horse experience both before and after coming to own or be otherwise close to horses. Across 122 pages of very valuable information, author and horse expert Charlie Hicks lays it all out here. Look to learn about selection, care, training, health, and plenty more about horses in a very easy-to-read collective.
10. Training and Riding with Cones and Poles: Over 35 Engaging Exercises to Improve Your Horse’s Focus and Response to the Aids, While Sharpening Your Timing and Accuracy
For anyone in need of a horse training guide that focuses on the more finite details of horse training, times, sharpness of response, and the like, this excellent horse training book by expert Sigrid Schöpe is a sure, top pick. Read along here as the author takes you on a ride through all the details in detail-oriented horse training. Schope herself speaks from real knowledge with over 40 years of experience in natural horsemanship, groundwork, and trick training specifically.
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