The Gentle Art of Horseback Riding

Gincy Self Bucklin has been teaching riding for more than 60 years. Her students have included recreational riders of all ages and levels, many of whom have also shown successfully and some of whom have become professionals themselves. While many experienced instructors teach only advanced riders, Gincy has also worked extensively with beginners and intermediates, believing that in order to be successful at the advanced level, riders must know and perfect the fundamentals from the start. She now works with instructors to share the teaching methods presented in her books. Gincy's mother was well-known equestrian author Margaret Cabell Self. Gincy was also fortunate to grow up in an area that had many world-class instructors and clinicians, including Sally Swift, George Morris, and Nuno Oliveira. Some of her early instructors trained with European trainers during the 1920s and '30s while the cavalry, where much of the equine knowledge was developed, was still in existence. Gincy is a retired Centered Riding instructor and is an American Riding Instructors Association level IV instructor. Gincy has been writing about horses and riding since 1987. She is the author of What Your Horse Wants You to Know, How Your Horse Wants You to Ride, and More How Your Horse Wants You to Ride. She has been a contributor to national horse magazines, including Equus and Horse Illustrated. Currently she writes a regular column for Riding Instructor, the quarterly publication of the American Riding Instructors Association (ARIA), and maintains her own website, http://whatyourhorsewants.com. Gincy lives in East Dummerston, Vermont.

Chapter 1 Starting out Right Why you Need Professional Instruction Finding the Right Instructor Riding Attire Chapter2 The Real Tools for Success The Three Basics The Seven Steps and Grounding Safety Guidelines Chapter 3 Getting to Know the Horse Handling the Introduction in a Closed Space Getting Acquainted Out in the Open Grooming Chapter 4 Overcoming Your Natural Fear of Falling Mounting in Baby Steps Dismounting Safely Preparing for the Emergency Dismount Getting Comfortable On the Horse Chapter 5 Taking Your First Real Ride Using the Bareback Pad to Achieve a Secure Seat Using the Grounding Strap Mounting: Getting It Right From the Start Following the Motion Lateral Centering Putting It All Together Chapter 6 The Indispensable Halter and Staying Centered During Turns and Transitions Rope Halters Leather or Nylon Halters Checking the Fit of the Halter Staying Laterally Centered Longitudinal Centering During Transitions Chapter 7 Negotiating Simple Ground Movements Achieving Cooperation Through Communication Moving The Horse's Hindquarters Moving The Horse's Forehand Moving the Horse Backward Chapter 8 Gaining Respect and Becoming the Leader The Leadership Position Dealing with Resistance Starting and Stopping Turning When the Horse Wants to Take Over Using The Stick for Gentle Persuasion Chapter 9 Expanding Your Ground Skills Leading the Horse Into the Stall Bringing the Horse Out of the Stall Cleaning the Horse's Feet Tacking Up the Horse With the Bareback Pad Chapter 10 The Gentle Riding Aids Understanding and Applying Intent Using Your Eyes Moving Your Center Using Your Seat Managing Your Weight Using the Stick While Riding Eliminating the Need for Aggression Chapter 11 Handling the Reins and Preparing to Ride Solo Picking Up the Reins Lengthening the Reins Shortening the Reins Using the Grounding Strap and Stick with the Reins The Sitting Trot or Jog A Taste of Freedom Chapter 12 Introduction to Riding In the Saddle Preparing for Saddle Work Mounting the Saddled Horse Tightening the Girth While Mounted in the English Saddle Dismounting From the Saddled Horse Getting Comfortable Your First Ride in the Saddle Chapter 13 Saddling Up and Starting With Stirrups Putting On the Saddle Starting With the Stirrups The n Position The A Position The Full Seat Forward Position Sitting the Trot In the Saddle Chapter 14 Half-Seat Positions and Preparing for Faster Gaits Staying Grounded in the Half Seat Working From the Hip Joint Using the Grounding Strap in the Half Seat Three-Quarter Seat Position Half-Seat Open Position Half-Seat Closed Position Chapter 15 Bits, Bridling, and Introduction to Using the Reins Putting On the Bridle Using Hand Effects and Rein Effects to Communicate The Active Hand Introduction to the Leading Rein (English or Western Snaffle) Introduction to Neck Reining (Western Curb) Slowing or Stopping Using Direct Reins of Opposition (English or Western Snaffle) Stopping Using Direct Reins of Opposition (Western) Chapter 16 Perfect Posting Finding Posting Rhythm on the Bareback Pad Posting in the Stirrups Understanding Diagonals Chapter 17 Cantering (Loping) and Galloping (Running) Preparing to Canter Bareback Cantering to the Left Bareback Cantering to the Right Cantering or Loping in the Saddle Cantering in Half-Seat Position Galloping or Running Chapter 18 Leg Aids and Advanced Hand and Rein Effects The Soft Leg The Passive Hand The Holding Hand The Fixed Hand Combing the Rein The Taking Hand Types and Applications of Leading Reins and Reins of Opposition Developing Effective Aids. Chapter 19 Handling Hills With Confidence Riding Uphill In an English Saddle Riding Downhill In an English Saddle Polishing Your Skills Handling Hills in a Western Or Other Deep-Seated Saddle Putting Your Skills to Good Use Chapter 20 Jumping Made Easy Phases of the Jump Staying Centered During the Jump Teaching Your Body to Ride the Jump Trusting the Horse Giving the Horse His Head Jumping Courses Refusals and Runouts Jumping for Western Riders