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DVDs:
We now have available U. S. Cavalry Military or Balanced Seat
training videos. These are actual Army training films from 1942, converted to
DVD format. They are in black & white. When ordering, please
provide your mailing address when you make payment through PayPal.
HORSEMANSHIP, VOL. I
PART 1 - SADDLING AND BRIDLING: The first film in this series begins with the proper folding and placement of the saddle blanket on the horse. Next, learn the various parts of the modified McClellan saddle and the double bridle. See how to correctly fit the bridle on the horse and select the proper size bit. All these are practiced by recruits under the watchful eye of their instructor.
PART 2 - MOUNTING, DISMOUNTING AND THE MILITARY SEAT: A very detailed demonstration is given on the proper mounting and dismounting of the cavalry horse. The four basic elements of the military seat are explained and the correct positioning and use of the rider's body is shown. The many tips given here are useful to the modern rider. 54 minutes.
Price $19.95
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PART 3 - AIDS AND GAITS: ``How do you make the horse go?''. This film shows how. The four basic gaits; walk, slow trot, posting trot and gallop are studied in detail with the use of slow motion photography. The various aids used to control the horse during the four gaits are demonstrated. Use and effect of the curb and snaffle bits are shown as well as the proper technique of holding the reins of the double bridle. Learn the aids used to back a horse along with different types of reining. See how fundamental and combination turns are performed. Finally see the recruits practice the four gaits and receive instruction to correct their mistakes. 40 minutes.
Price $19.95
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PART 4 - SUPPLING EXERCISES: The object of suppling exercises is to condition the parts of the rider's body most used in riding such as the neck, shoulders, loins, knees & ankles. The recruits are instructed on these exercises while riding.
PART 5 - JUMPING AND CROSS COUNTRY RIDING: You'll learn before jumping always check the tightness of the girth and adjust the stirrup straps. The approach and gymnastics of the jump are well illustrated with stop and slow motion photography. See the correct position of the rider when jumping. Follow the recruits through the shoot first over low jumps then high jumps while being coached by the instructor. Ride cross country with the cavalry as they slide down a very steep slope and then climb back up. Cross a ditch of deep mud. Finally, the graduation ride! 49 minutes.
Price $19.95
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(1943) PART 1 - See how two mounted scouts go on patrol to bring back information on the enemy.
PART 2 - The Mounted Patrol, Horse. Learn how a mounted patrol can outmaneuver the enemy by using various patrolling tactics. 52 minutes.
Price $19.95
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below.
“American Military
Horsemanship” by James Ottevaere is a very readable history of American
military horsemanship with numerous appendixes on saddles & equipment, a
great book list, and most importantly the entire 1935 Fort Riley riding manual
“Horsemanship and Horsemastership” largely attributed by many to Harry D. Chamberlin. A
great book for any student of the traditional Military or Balanced Seat.
Paperback. Price $16.75.
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NEW BOOK, 244 pages,
hardbound with dustcover, numerous photos, checklists, forms and diagrams to
help endurance riders of every level. Suggested price is $29.95. Complete Guide
to Endurance Riding published in 1998, written by Tevis Silver Buckle winner
Donna Snyder-Smith is truly a “complete” manual. It begins with an over view
of the sport of endurance riding, deals with horse selection, the optimum
effective seat for the sport, conditioning, feeding, equipment, and the
requirements of a support crew. All this is preparation for a comprehensive
guide to the competition itself. Beginning with trailering to the competition,
the book explains camping with your horse, the vet-in, rider briefing, and the
start. Then it takes you through the actual ride. For the beginner this is a
wonderful step-by-step guide. For the experienced endurance rider Snyder-Smith
offers strategy advise, specific training insights as well as points on mental
focus. She describes important points in biomechanics for optimum efficiency,
and her tips on vet checks. Equally important are her points on care of the
horse after the race. There is an interesting part on the diversity of people in
the sport, and some great information on a variety of rides and events around
the US. She even explains the steps on how to move your horse around the world
to international rides and competitions. Price
$19.95.
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PRE-OWNED BOOKS ON BALANCED
SEAT: (listed by Author)
about the author...
Captain Vladimir S. Littauer is
a “must read” author for every serious student of the Balanced Seat.He and General Harry D. Chamberlin are the leading authorities on the
American interpretation of the seat from its early origins and during a period
when American riders dominated international equestrian competition in the early
20th century.
Littauer,
widely recognized as one of the greatest horsemen of the twentieth century, was
born in Russia in 1892. He grew up in St. Petersburg and graduated as an officer
from the Nicholas Cavalry School. His training was based on French dressage as
taught by James Fillis, but he later, after studying Federico Caprilli's new
system of the Forward Seat, he became an advocate of the new Military or
Balanced Seat.
Littauer served in an Imperial Hussar regiment and
following the Russian Revolution he emigrated to the United States. In 1927
Littauer met two other former officers in New York City and with these partners
he founded the famous Boots and Saddles riding school. Within three years, he
was recognized as one of the most important instructors and authors in the U.S.
and was in great demand around the country. He taught at many schools, hunt
clubs and colleges.
His books are very readable
and informative.His books contain
the highest quality information that the average rider through the expert can
apply and use to improve their riding. His autobiography, “Russian Hussar”,
reads like an exciting action adventure novel set in WW1 and the Russian
Revolution. Littauer is truly a great horseman and accomplished writer.
His
books that we offer:
RIDING
FORWARD: MODERN HORSEMANSHIP FOR BEGINNERS
Forward Riding is a basic manual of the Balanced Seat by Littauer, one on the Seat’s greatest riders. This book covers riding position, the method in relation to dressage, jumping, and substantial technical information on the horse’s movements. A quote, “A forward position with buttocks just gently touching
the saddle lessens the base of support and consequently needs more balancing effort.
But, on the other hand, the balance is easier to maintain because the shocks of locomotion are less felt.” Littauer’s writing style is full of “why” in addition to the typical “What” to do found in most beginner manuals.
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This is a horse training book by Littauer that
describes the traditional method of schooling a green horse to finished field
hunter or show horse. It is as insightful and useful today as when it was first
published over 50 year ago. The book describes in words and pictures a
practical system of schooling, with exercises that are a perfect balance
between technical and simple. Written for the average rider so that she/he can
successfully accomplish an effective training program with a typical horse. This
book is very useful too with horses in need of retraining, and a book that both
the beginner and expert can learn from and enjoy.
This
is a “must have” book for any student of the Balanced Seat. It is incredibly
comprehensive, practical, and one of the most useful books a serious rider at
any level can read. Among educated horse people, Littauer’s “Commonsense
Horsemanship” has an international reputation as a milestone in the
development of a modern system of riding and schooling. It has been a
cornerstone of the system of Balanced Seat riding in America, and is an
essential part of any serious riding student or teacher's library. Enhanced with
many illustrations and diagrams.
Used, paperback, text
clean, very good condition.
$15.00.
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about the author...
General Harry D. Chamberlin is arguably the best rider and horseman the United States has ever produced. He is the technician’s technician, but his career as an Army officer gave him the experience and training to communicate with the common soldier. We can be thankful that he developed the necessary discipline to translate the most complex principles of riding and horse training into words that the average rider can easily understand. Having never ridden a
horse until he entered West Point, Chamberlin ultimately competed on the US Army and the US Olympic Teams winning numerous international titles in
eventing, stadium jumping and dressage. He taught riding at West Point and at the US Cavalry School at Fort Riley, where he is credited as the primary author of the later Cavalry School riding manuals. He wrote, “The difference between the average individual and the master, whether it be at the piano or on a horse, represents the difference between science and art. Hastily, it must be added that much of success in any art results from many hours of hard work, and it has been most truly said: “Genius is the capacity of infinite detail.” And detail is what Chamberlain is all about, but he has the ability to put details together with a fairly simple and extremely useful result in his books. His style is admittedly “factual” in a military sense, and not as flowing as say
Littauer, but he is truly a master. Each of Chamberlin’s books is a “must read” for every student of the Balanced Seat.
More horse training information per page that perhaps any other book of its type. This book is a true classic of Balanced Seat literature. A purely practical and no nonsense manual on preparing a horse for jumping and riding terrain with widely varied conditions with the perspective of military level effectiveness. It is very understandable and practical information for the horse owner training his own horse, or for the professional horse trainer. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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about the author...
Gordon Wright is later in the chain of the great Fort Riley tradition of the Balanced Seat in America. As a young man he was a ranch cowboy, then a Fort Riley instructor, and eventually one of the most respected teachers and coaches of riding in America. Wight was the primary teacher of the famous international rider/author George Morris, who has had such an impact on American riding.
Gordon Wright is best known for his “translation” of the Fort Riley Cavalry riding and instructional manuals into a single civilian volume, “Horsemanship & Horsemastership”. Wright is considered the premiere teacher of the Balanced Seat in post WW2 America.
His books that we offer:
file picture, no dust jacket on this copy.
LEARNING TO RIDE HUNT AND SHOW
Gordon Wright’s “Learning to Ride Hunt and Show” was first
published in 1950. It is a very good book for new and intermediate riders, and
riders who wish to “begin at the beginning” with the traditional Balanced
Seat. It contains sections on the horse and equipment, one on the rider with
specifics on the aids, transitions, basic training, etc.a section on the Balanced Seat method of jumping from elementary to
advanced, and finally, a section on advanced horsemanship, which includes the
advanced aids, Balanced Seat sports like foxhunting and polo, and Pony Club
instruction.
currently
out of stock, sorry.
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------------------------------------ currently
out of stock
Gordon
Wright’s “The Riding Instructor’s Manual” is his most
difficult book to find, and a must for every riding instructor. In his opening
10 commandments for teachers he includes demonstrations. This means teaching
while mounted, a nearly lost art. Wright breaks down the teaching process into
six “grades” using skills measurement and time in the saddle in hours to
determine each grade. Clear, easy to follow very helpful manual for
teaching the Balanced Seat. The suggested book list includes some of the
Balanced Seat greats like Seunig, Steinkraus, Littauer, and Lewis. George
Morris, Wright’s pupil, who wrote the forward, is also listed. It is
fascinating that in 1975 when the book was published, Morris was the newest
daring of the horse world, and the traditional Balanced Seat was still the
dominant method of riding.
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This book is another foundation book on the Balanced Seat. Wright spent years sifting through the Fort Riley Cavalry School manuals and compiled this book to be a concise basic text of the American Balanced Seat for average civilians. With the aid of drawings of the famous illustrator and artist Sam Savitt, he produced a simplified work on the Balanced Seat that is very easy to follow for beginning riders and useful for more advanced riders as well.
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Noel Jackson’s 1967 “Effective Horsemanship” is perhaps
the best all around book on the Balanced Seat for today’s riders. It covers
the training of the rider, and the horse as well as its applications in polo,
eventing and stadium jumping. There is substantial amounts if information on
dressage and its practical application. The book contains great pictures and
diagrams, and is very readable. Jackson’s notes on the historical perspective
of the Balanced Seat is truly British. He points out the British objections to
Caprilli’s original Forward Seat methods. Those objections along with others
from several different nation’s cavalry schools evolved the Forward Seat by
the 1930s into the main stream Balanced Seat used in military training and
international competition. “Effective Horsemanship” is a must have book for
any Balanced Seat library.
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Balanced Riding by Pegotty Henriques is a wonderful,
informative book on the specifics of the rider's seat. It includes exercises for
riders to help to correct their positioning mistakes. Henriques is a dressage
rider, teacher and judge. Many clear pictures and illustrations, and well explained
application of the rider's aids. The author breaks down the elements of
balance in a very simple manor that any level rider can understand and use.
CURRENTLY OUT
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$10.50
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