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Peter Lyons

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Peter Lyons is currently reading

Get Ready to Ride: A Powerful Toolkit for Better Horse Riding

by Yvonne Saar

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Reading for the 2nd time

read in January 2014

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Peter Lyons said: " Having just finished reading ‘Get Ready to Ride’ by Yvonne Saar, I find myself (despite the awful weather) bursting with enthusiasm to get in the saddle and put into practice what I have learnt from this fantastic read. There are many books out there Having just finished reading ‘Get Ready to Ride’ by Yvonne Saar, I find myself (despite the awful weather) bursting with enthusiasm to get in the saddle and put into practice what I have learnt from this fantastic read. There are many books out there on the subject of riding, and specifically learning to ride, but I was refreshed by the different approach I found in this book. It is applicable to all level of riders, teaching that huge improvements can be attained, whatever your particular concern or issue simply from some minor changes to both mind and body.

As a fan of Pilates, I was delighted to read about the benefits to the horse rider from practicing Pilates or Yoga. ‘Suppleness, body control, co-ordination and learning to relax in the right way can all be achieved through yoga’. The importance of being aware of the effect of the rider’s body and positioning on the horse together with the ability to adjust the placing of one specific part of the body are crucial in improving ones riding and the author details the benefits of yoga and Pilates over any other exercise in achieving this. Specific exercises most applicable and therefore beneficial to the horse rider are discussed in detail and are accompanied by pictures so the reader can practice even if he or she is unable to attend a class

Riding should be fun, and this book embraces that statement like none other I have read. I thoroughly enjoyed the ‘on-board’ exercises. Some of these exercises I was familiar with, albeit from many years passed. Again the photographic illustrations are there to keep the reader correct and the exercises are categorised into easy, intermediate and advanced.

Few riders would claim to have never experienced fear yet the subject is one that few books seem to cover in any great detail, surprisingly as this is something that affects a rider’s ability and enjoyment no end. Get, Ready to Ride devotes an entire chapter to fear and indeed the author narrates her own experience and how she overcame her fears.

Another issue often not discussed, but covered in depth in Get Ready to Ride is the propensity for us humans to believe that animals think as we do and what effect this has on both the horse and the owner/rider. Horse psychology is explained through analogies that all horse owners and riders will be familiar with and without over complication. The reader is also asked to apply the ‘nurture or nature’ argument to equines as we would to humans without discounting the traits of specific breeds.

This is a hugely enjoyable, easy read yet informative book that I encourage all equine enthusiasts to consider reading. It is the second Yvonne Saar book I have read and I must say I look forward to many more. ...more "

Jan 12, 2014 03:39AM · see review

Peter Lyons is currently reading

Writing and Imagery: How to Avoid Writer's Block (How to Become an Author)

by A.J. Palmer

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Reading for the 2nd time

read in November 2013

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Peter Lyons said: " Writing and Imagery is a great book for all who want to be writers, offering routes to creativity that will take you around multifarious obstacles to writing a great story, free your imagination, cast aside your inhibitions, and allow you the freedom ...more "

Jan 11, 2014 04:59AM · see review