index index index index This book is really a nice reference. It addresses many things that are usually not said in a riding book in a manner that is easy to understand. I think it would be good for a beginner and for advanced riders that should brush up on some basics. I know we can all use a refresher from time to time.

His drawings are great."The Handbook of Riding Essentials" is a wonderful resource for all riders of all disciplines. Written and diagramed in a clear and concise format, the author covers the correct use of the hands, seat and legs and then progresses to each individual movement. The diagrams are very clear and depict the use of the natural aids for each movement. All aspects of each movement are clearly covered and very helpful. For example, in the chapter entitled: "The Natural Aids for the Haunches-In" he expertly covers; Goals of the Exercise; Rider's Aids; Why Does the Rider Use the Natural Aids; How Does the Rider Initiate Haunches-In; How Does the Rider Teach Haunches-In; Mistakes to Avoid and Helpful suggestions. As a rider this book has helped me to better understand, teach my horse and execute each movement. This is a reference book for all levels of all riders and should be in every riders' library."The Handbook of Riding Essentials" is a wonderful resource for all riders of all disciplines. Written and diagramed in a clear and concise format, the author covers the correct use of the hands, seat and legs and then progresses to each individual movement. The diagrams are very clear and depict the use of the natural aids for each movement. All aspects of each movement are clearly covered and very helpful. For example, in the chapter entitled: "The Natural Aids for the Haunches-In" he expertly covers; Goals of the Exercise; Rider's Aids; Why Does the Rider Use the Natural Aids; How Does the Rider Initiate Haunches-In; How Does the Rider Teach Haunches-In; Mistakes to Avoid and Helpful suggestions. As a rider this book has helped me to better understand, teach my horse and execute each movement. This is a reference book for all levels of all riders and should be in every riders' library.I'm having a hard time finding a book to supplement riding lessons, and this just wasn't it for me. I found the diagrams somewhat difficult to understand; if anything, they seem to make the actions they're trying to explain more complicated than they are.

Example: "Right hand: Active, rotates at the wrist, fingernails facing up; acts slightly to the left in front of the withers. Left hand: Passive, goes forward and down to yield, to allow, and then to regulate the action of the right hand" - it goes on like this to describe what the rider's right leg is supposed to do, and the left, and the seat, then gives the horse response broken down by nose, head, neck, shoulders, and haunches.

All this is to describe the "Indirect Rein of Opposition in Front of the Withers". There are no photos, just stick diagrams w/lots of arrows and dotted lines. I'd recommend looking at this book in a bookstore or library before purchasing it.This book is written so the beginner can understand it. Has beautiful illustrations on seat,leg, and hand positions. It also tells you what your horse should be doing after you apply the aids. Very helpful book.A master horseman in everything from dressage to the steeplechase, Francois Lemaire de Ruffieu has written a superb riding guide. Clear directions and fully illustrated step-by-step instructions throughout. For beginners and advanced riders. suria review reviews analysis analyze