Schooling Horses in Hand: A Means of Suppling and Collection
For centuries, horses have been trained in hand within the classical schools of riding; yet today, work in hand is often forgotten, set aside as unimportant, or thought by modern trainers to be too time-consuming. This is unfortunate, because there is much to teach horses from the ground. German trainer Richard Hinrichs, an acknowledged expert on schooling in hand, explains how in-hand work builds trust, obedience, and balance in the horse, and complements work under saddle. With clear explanations and abundant color photos and drawings, all the techniques of schooling in hand are covered, including: aids and their application; work on the longe; long reining; suppling and collection; shoulder-in and half-pass; preparation for piaffe and passage; the Spanish walk; and even basic airs above the ground. An excellent book for trainers of all levels. As a young man in Vienna, Richard Hinrichs was schooled by a member of the Spanish Riding School. Today, Hinrichs trains, teaches, and performs widely with his Lippizaner and Andalusian horses, demonstrating the fine art of classical horsemanship.