Many of the Discount Equestrian team are avid readers, and we know a lot of our customers are too. So, we have compiled this blog post to introduce you to some fantastic equestrian non-fiction you may not have heard about before. Whether it’s an autobiography, biography, or even equine training guide, we’re certain you’ll find your next non-fiction equestrian read right here!
* The Girl on the Dancing Horse: Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro by Charlotte Dujardin
“Shortlisted for The Telegraph Sports Book Awards 2019!
To ride into that arena, next to a sea of British flags and hear the roar of clapping and cheering, was so exciting. It's a sound I will never, ever forget.
Charlotte Dujardin and her charismatic horse Valegro burst onto the international sports scene with their record-breaking performance at the London, 2012 Olympics. The world was captivated by the young woman with the dazzling smile and her dancing horse. But no one quite knew what it took to get there, nor how hard the path to success would be - until now.
Dujardin began riding horses at the age of two, but dressage was firmly the domain of the wealthy, not the life of a girl from a middle-class family. Her parents sacrificed all and with a undeterred focus, Charlotte left school at 16 to follow her dream. When she was invited to be a groom for the British Olympian Carl Hester, she began to ride Valegro, a dark bay gelding and an unbreakable bond was formed. This is their incredible story.”
Available here.
* BHS Complete Horsemanship Volume 4 by British Horse Society
“Volume 4 of the Complete Horsemanship series provides an in-depth approach to professional horse care and stable management; from an advanced understanding of horse anatomy and physiology, to the skills and knowledge necessary to run a yard. The attention is shifted from developing riding skills and focuses instead on more advanced training of the horse, to ultimately allow the horse and rider combination to be ridden at more advanced competitions.
Recommended reading and guidance for the British Horse Society Stage 4 Qualification in horse care, riding, teaching and training.”
Available here.
* The Balanced Horse: The Aids by Feel, Not Force by Sylvia Loch
“This book is about developing that 'perfect understanding'. Whether you practice dressage, hack, event or show, the improvement of your horse through an understanding of 'his' language, should allow him greater ability and confidence in all your work together.
The aim of The Balanced Horse is to confirm in people's minds what they should be doing for each request, and what they must avoid. The author abhors the use of force and gadgetry in the schooling of horses and believes classical riding is the best way forward for all the disciplines.”
Available here.
* Ask Monty: The 170 most common horse problems solved by Monty Roberts
“If you have ever wanted to know how to get a horse into a trailer, how to deal with a bucking horse, how to walk your horse through water or how to handle a two-month-old foal, then you need look no further than ASK MONTY.
In this book, Monty Roberts, lifelong horse trainer and bestselling author of THE MAN WHO LISTENS TO HORSES, answers hundreds of questions that have been regularly posed to him by fans and readers over many years. He shares the methods and techniques that he has spent a lifetime perfecting, which will enable you to understand, communicate and work more effectively with your horse. Each chapter is devoted to a key area of horse training, and Monty's methods are easily and practically explained with the help of clear diagrams. ASK MONTY is the essential guide for horse lovers everywhere.”
Available here.
* Pippa Funnell: The Autobiography by Pippa Funnell
“The autobiography of the most successful Three Day Event rider of all time - updated for the paperback edition. Pippa Funnell is the golden girl of the British equestrian scene - but it hasn't always been so. She seemed doomed to be a 'misser' in the really big competitions, lacking that special ingredient that makes a true champion.
Everything began to change for her in 1999 when her results, including her first European title, were excellent, but it was at the Sydney Olympics that she really came of age, winning a silver medal. Since Sydney, Pippa went from strength to strength. She completed the double of European Championships in 2001, she won Badminton in 2002, and in 2003 won the Rolex Grand Slam and was awarded Sportswoman of the Year by the Sunday Times.
In 2004 Pippa was a double Olympic medallist in Athens, and this autobiography includes her Olympic diary, as she records the ups and downs of the competition, the triumph of the dressage, her cross-country round and the showjump down that cost her a gold medal.
As if all this were not enough, there was the controversy of the medals being reallocated on appeal, meaning Pippa won both a silver and a bronze.”
Available here.
* Real Life Dressage: Training Advice from Novice to Grand Prix by Carl Hester and Polly Ellison
“Dressage doesn't have to be complicated!
In Real Life Dressage Carl Hester shares his training methods and shows how they can be adapted to suit individual horses. Assisted by co-writer Polly Ellison, he outlines his training regimes and favourite exercises, following some of his own horses up the levels to Grand Prix.
As the training progresses Carl examines the problems that are commonly encountered, and explains how he and other riders might overcome them. As Carl says, 'I have deliberately chosen horses with differing conformations and mental attitudes in order to illustrate the factors that need to be taken into account when training a horse to these levels.'
Carl's training philosophy is very much on the lines of the German training system, the 'Richtlinien' or broad path, that German trainers use so successfully. 'With each of my horses, no matter what type or temperament, the fundamental ground rules from the "scales of training" apply. In working up the levels to Grand Prix you will see that I regularly refer back to various aspects of the training scale, as I believe these ground rules should be applied constantly if you want to get the best out of your horse.'”
Available here.
* Horse Anatomy for Performance: A Practical Guide to Training, Riding and Horse Care by Gillian Higgins and Stephanie Martin
“Examine the anatomy of a horse from an entirely different perspective. This intriguing and original explanation of the 11 internal body systems of horses shows them painted on the outside to describe everything on the inside. The horse is a highly sophisticated living organism so to enable him to reach his full athletic performance and give him a happy, healthy quality of life it is vital to understand both his capabilities and limitations within the context of his structure and function.
Gillian Higgins turns her trademark technique of painting internal diagrams directly onto live horses to show how all the systems work, and work together, to influence performance and reduce the risk of injury. Divided into 12 chapters, Horse Anatomy for Performance combines high quality photographs and intricate paintings with top tips and fascinating facts to provide a practical and useful guide to horse anatomy.
Visually appealing, original and easily understandable, the book explains how anatomy influences the way we manage, ride and train our horses. This book is a sequel to How Your Horse Moves by Gillian Higgins; together the books provide a comprehensive guide to horse anatomy in action. 'Finally a book where you can learn how your horse ticks - inside out - and it is easy to understand and fun to read. A must for every serious equestrian.' Dr W. Bechtolsheimer”
Available here.
* Perfect Manners: Mutual Respect for Horses and Humans by Kelly Marks
“Kelly Marks, who gets spectacular results in her exhibitions with the most fiery and recalcitrant of horses, says the secret is to talk to horses in their own language, establishing a relationship of trust and respect, using considerate and consistent techniques.
You will find it helpful to formulate your own 'code of conduct' for your horse and while you're at it, for yourself as well, making consideration a way of life.
Perfect Manners starts with the philosophy and concepts behind Kelly Marks' techniques and moves on to foundation exercises and groundwork training. There are also sections on Join Up and Body Language, Training Halters, Biting, Spooking and Shying and the 'Lovely Head Rub'.
A must-read for horse owners everywhere.”
Available here.
* The Autobiography by Mary King
“No-holds-barred story of what it takes to reach the top, and stay there, in the world's most dangerous sport - three day eventing. At the age of forty-seven Mary King won a Team Bronze at the Beijing Olympics.
In the two 'Cavaliers' - 'Call Again Cavalier' and 'Imperial Cavalier' - she has two of the very best event horses in the world. Mary King's success in the world of eventing (now officially classed as the most dangerous sport in the world) has been hard won. She does not come from a privileged background - her father a verger and a long-term invalid so money was very tight. Her first pony was the ancient 'cast off' from the local vicar's children - and success with this pony gave her an iron will to succeed. And succeeded she has.
To support herself in the early days she had a variety of unglamorous jobs (this included butcher delivery rounds and cleaning out toilets in the local campsite). Her talent was apparent from very early on and she first competed at Badminton in 1985, had her first win there on King William in 1992 and her second on Star Appeal in 2000. Just when everything seemed to be going well she suffered a terrible fall in 2001 and broke her neck but she was back competing at the very top level the following year.
Fully updated for the paperback with the 2010 season, including Team GB's gold medal-winning performance at the World Equestrian Games, this is a fascinating account from inside the world's most dangerous sport.”
Available here.
* Pilates for Equestrians: Achieve the Winning Edge with Increased Core Stability by Liza Randall
“Pilates is an invigorating and proven body conditioning method which helps to strengthen the core muscles used in riding, whilst simultaneously restoring the body's balance. In light of this, Pilates for Equestrians is packed with colourful, easy to follow photographs, listing common rider injuries and niggles, with a list of core strengthening exercises to help maintain a more flexible, leaner, fitter body.”
Available here.
