Book Description
Widely known for her innovative teaching philosophy stressing body awareness, the value of "soft eyes," proper breathing, centering, and balance, Sally Swift has been a pioneering riding instructor for half a century. In book form for the first time, her methods enable horse and rider to achieve harmony, working together naturally, without pain.
Unlike traditional teachers, Sally Swift does not believe in forced training techniques that cause stiff bodies and tense riding. Instead, through the use of vivid, unusual, and highly creative images that transcend mechanics ("Pretend you're a spruce tree; the roots grow down from your center as the trunk grows up"), plus a thorough knowledge of human and equine anatomy, this wise and inspiring teacher enables the conscientious equestrian to reassess habitual responses, in order to ride in natural positions, break through frustrating plateaus, and achieve ever-rising goals with comfort, vitality, and precision.
Precise illustrations and photographs never before used in riding books explain anatomy and image work to give mind and body new and relaxed approaches to the inner process of riding.
Centered Riding is for those with little experience all the way up to world class.
Customer Reviews:
Literally the breakthrough I needed.......2007-05-20
I read this book 20 years ago, while trying to learn to ride as an awkward adult. I was getting so frustrated, I couldn't find my seat and felt totally out of control in the saddle. My husband kept offering counter-productive "tips" such as, "squeeze with your legs" (to sit the trot)....All I can say is, thank Heaven for Sally Swift. Her metaphors and mental imagery were exactly what I needed. Someone with natural athletic balance would perhaps not need this (someone like my husband, who rode before he walked). However, for someone like me who has to learn it from the head down, not from the seat up, this book can be the key to a secure and comfortable seat. It is in every library, read it, then buy it if this style of teaching "speaks" to you.
A 94 year old star with great heart.......2007-05-06
Having had the priveldge of working with Sally Swift I am stuck not only by her skill , but by her kind and gentle way of dealing with everyone and everything she comes in contact with. At 94 years old when most people are seeing their lives as over, Sally sees the future as being bright. She was just honored by the United States Dressage Federation as being one of the top writers and riders in the country and I say" Way to go Sally". Her books Centereed Riding and Centered Riding 2 have together sold over 500,000 copies and have changed the lives of countless people and horses alike. Not only horse riders, but black belts,ice skaters, world class olympians, etc. Centered Riding and Centered Riding 2 are books too good to miss.
Must Have Book for Every Rider/Instructor.......2007-03-22
I participate in alot of different sports/hobbies from English/Western riding, to skiing to dog obedience/agility training to cycling and various art pursuits. If you are the type of person who ever finds yourself having difficulty following the words someone uses to express something new to you and instead find following visualization or imagery examples easier then this book will help you. For example, when I was first learning to ski countless instructors explained that I was "sitting back in my seat" or " back on my heels"... lean forward they said... "no, not like that, not from the waist, with the whole body"... finally one said "pretend you have a $100 in the front of your boot and you don't want to lose it" and Eurkeka - the light bulb went on! And so it was with riding... which is why (paraphrasing) feeling your weight in your heels like you have roots to the ground from your feet worked better for me than "keep your heels down" and so on... you get the idea. This is a great book that takes the basics and gives you some alternative ways to think about them.
Centered Riding.......2007-01-18
I was satisfied with my purchase and very pleased with the speedy service and delivery. Will continue to purchase from amazon.
A Classic that all riders need to read.......2007-01-08
If you ride, you need to read this book. So many of the modern riding techniques are based on Ms. Swift's experiences. I learned how bad my posture is and how it affects my horse when I ride. Not only did it help my riding but it helped my general posture and helps eliminate back aches. The illustrations are very enlightening.,
Book Description
The long-awaited sequel to the international best-seller Centered Riding--the book that revolutionized horseback riding.
Customer Reviews:
An amazing lady at 94 years old.......2007-05-06
I have had the good fortune to get to know Sally Swift and I can say first hand that she leads a Centered Life. Her books have been life changing for thousands and thousands of people. Ever once in a while someone rights a negative review but it is the person not the material that is off base. They haven't allowed Sally's work to work within themselves. Sally gets hundreds of thank you notes from people all over the world thanking her for her work.Sports people other than horse people find her work amazing. If you haven't already read her books hurry and order them. At 94 Sally is actively involved in making a difference. Sally was just given the United States Dressage Federation's highest award for her writing and her riding. Need I say more.
Sally Swift does it again........2006-09-19
I love her first book, and highly recommend both books to my students. This book has the same easy to understand format. Sally breaks down how our bodies function when we are riding. I really like the exercises that she uses on the ground. I frequently use the "monkey position" with my students. It really helps to explain use of the hip joint. I also find the "monkey position" helpful when introducing a student to the sitting trot. I cannot say enough awesome things about this book. I also do not fully agree with the first review. This book really shows a rider how their body affects the horse, regardless of your learning styles. The illustrations and pictures are very clear and easy to understand. They have helped many of my students to really gain perspective on how every little movement, or tense muscle affects the horse in some way. I feel that every rider should have a copy of both Centered Riding, and Centered Riding 2 Further Exploration. I hope that this review is helpful.
Still drives me spare - 'Creative' types will love it........2005-11-11
If you aren't a fan of Sally Swift's methods (analogies and metaphors) and the first book drove you to despair this second one is slightly better. There are some helpful texts and photos but she is still my least favourite writer. I simply find that I cannot learn from her teaching style and her descriptions do nothing to help me to understand what I must DO. Of course, AFTER I have learned something (on my own) I can often relate what I feel to what she describes but because I am unable to transfer her descriptions initially I am unable to LEARN to ride from her books.
You MUST know your learning style before buying Sally Swift - if 'grow like a tree' doesn't help you with your riding, avoid her like the plague. If on the other hand you have the type of brain that responds well to these sorts of descriptions, dancers\actors etc who can understand what their bodies need to do in response to imagery - then buy her books and avoid the others who use more mechanistic descriptions.
Still the Best.......2003-05-20
Sally Swift proved to be an excellent teacher in her last book, and she maintains the title throughout the second edition. I find the illustrations and analogies to be excellent for my own use as well as teaching others. So many concepts are broken down and compared to every day events and mechanical workings that they are almost impossible to forget. Sally helps you understand the mechanincs of your own body as well as your horse's and helps us understand why our instructors tell us to do the things they do.
Book Description
Jane Savoie returns to share all the concepts and techniques she's learned about mental training since the publication of her best-selling That Winning Feeling!
Customer Reviews:
An extremely helpful book for "bats in the attic".......2007-09-12
Although I have not owned this book for a great deal of time, already it has become a firm favourite. Re "bats in the attic" what I mean is when that little voice inside us keeps telling us, watch out, this horse may shy and you will be off, or watch this horse it is a very dodgy ride,today it's too windy/rainy/cold,or even, I cannot possibly ride my horse outside on the roadside, etc, etc. If you have any problem with being absolutely confident or are being overly nervous, then this book is definitely for you. I found that when I was younger, I didn't even think of any consequences to riding a horse - it was such a tremendous feeling - and I went everywhere possible with my horse. As you grow older, you start to think what MIGHT happen (or at least I did). This is where this book again comes in to help. It is so very positive and also helps with other areas of one's life. I cannot recommend this book highly enough to anyone having problems with nerves, confidence, courage or determination.
Truly, Truly Awesome!.......2005-07-09
I very, very seldom give a book 5 stars, but I really and truly loved this book. Everything about it is encouraging and uplifting - it's even better than That Winning Feeling, Savoie's previous book on this topic. As someone who wrestles with focus, patience, and avoiding distractions when I ride, I was totally impressed with Jane Savoie's simple approach to improving one's arsenal of visualization and positive-thinking techniques. Simply by training your mind, you can hugely improve your performance and your enjoyment of riding. And these techniques are totally applicable to all endeavours in life. The ideas are not new, but have seldom been expressed so kindly and so clearly, particularly with respect to horses. As a bonus, the hardcover edition of this book is also very beautiful, with lovely photos, illustrations and layout. Highly recommended!!
Book Description
IMPRINT TRAINING OF THE NEWBORN FOAL offers an easy-to-follow, step-by-step approach to handling and training newborn foals, as well as numerous techniques and exercises that aid the foal in halter training and later in performing riding maneuvers. Imprinting can be defined as a learning process occurring soon after birth in which a behavior pattern is established. The newborn foal is imprinted to follow and bond with whatever large object looms above it at the time of birth.
Dr. Miller's methods lay the foundation for teaching a horse most of what it will need to know to serve as a useful animal for the rest of its life. Early training can, in an amazingly brief period of time, assure an ideal relationship between horse and human, with the horse bonded and submissive to the human. In addition, the horse will be desensitized to the everyday frightening stimuli that typically elicit a flight reaction in the young horse, and which account for the frequent injuries that afflict horses and the people who work with them.
The book includes nineteen chapters beginning with initial imprinting training, then following with subsequent sessions, halter training, performance basics, response reinforcement, problem prevention, and sections on racehorses, mules, and brood mares.
Customer Reviews:
No horse breeder should be without this book!.......2007-05-15
My sister and I have always wanted to raise foals that weren't like your typical horses, our first foals we did lots to the minute they were born, like touching there ears, everything we could think of that we didn't want them to have issues with-and they're great, but still horses. I came across this book and LOVED IT! Our next years foals were thoroughly imprinted at birth and WOW! Even better than last years foals and we taught them so many more difficult things at birth-like working off their hind-quarters, it's amazing how effective it is. I have bought un-impinted foals in the past, and by a year you have a kicking biteing, don't touch me there yearling to spent hours patiently working with. No my babies come running to me and lick me to death and nothing fazes them!
Painted Blessings Ranch~Bringing out the best in Black and White paint horses.
Way beyond imprinting!!.......2006-04-10
Clear, step by step. Covering all the basics of imprinting & then moving on to first day training techniques that make all the difference for the foal's interaction with human handlers in later days & years to come. Even I can do this, though I am fairly new to horses & especially foaling. Certainly this is a 2 person job, but with an assistant, it goes very smoothly if you have a halter-broke, calm mare. The difference in the foals is really amazing! I see this applying to other animals as well. This is a real gem of a book!
The personality of my horse is testament to this book.......2005-03-30
I bought this book by Robert M. Miller with my very first
miniature horse foal, and it WORKS!!!!
I imprint trained him at birth and some the next day and
everything I did, helped that horse just like he said it would.
His personality is beautiful, he learned the desired responses
well and I know its because of the imprint training.It does not
take much time or effort on your part. I bought a foal that was
not imprint trained and the difference between the two horses
later on is UNBELIEVEABLE. The imprint trained horse is
friendly, obedient, and unafraid of anything ,thanks to this
book. TO me it was well worth the money I paid for it.I expect
2 more foals this year and already have my book ready to
do everything he suggests, I know it will make my life easier
when that little foal becomes a weanling thru full-grown.
For me, it was especially helpful because of my inexperience
with horses but this book would work just as well with the
experienced. It does shape the horses behaviors for LIFE.
Excellant method - if you have help!.......2004-06-01
I bought this book before the birth of my first foal. I thought I had a very good understanding of everything contained in the book. But be forewarned. This is not a something that someone can do alone. You need at least one other experienced horse person to help you. This is an absolute necessity!
Customer Reviews:
a kind and gentle way to socialize baby.......2007-06-07
A friend of mine has a foal and asked me to help her with it. Unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to imprint the baby as soon as it was born, but with the help of this book, inside a few weeks, we were able to quickly socialize and bond with the filly. She is very friendly and confident around people. She comes when she's called and loves all the attention. It's a kind and gentle way to introduce all the concepts the baby will need to know to be a willing partner in any equestrian discipline. There are lots of photos and the instructions are very clear. The whole process has been very rewarding thanks to Dr. Miller's book.
Imprint Training .......2007-05-26
This book took me step-by-step through the imprinting process. Very well written.
Excellent Book for the New Breeder.......2003-01-06
I love this book. Miller's indepth descriptions of the initial bonding, desensitization and sensitization of newborn foals is incredible. He describes in great detail how to teach a foal that humans are "the boss," how to desensitize a foal to stimuli that it will experience all its life (i.e., the farrier, the vet, etc.), and how to teach a foal early on to react to other stimuli positively thus learning to lead, back up, move laterally, and even load into a trailer before it is 2 weeks old. I have used these techniques for the past several years with great results and will be using it again this year. The foals are easy to handle, stand well for the farrier, and even accept the bit and saddle without incident once they are three. Bottom line: this technique creates horses that trust humans rather than fear them.
DON'T BUY THIS BOOK.......2002-05-14
The name of the book suggests Robert Miller's distinct lack in the understanding of behaviour. True imprint training would involve the foal looking upon the human, which is carrying out the technique, as its mother.
Miller writes that his technique is based on the foal being submissive to the human, by nature horses will challenge a dominant figure in order to progress up the pecking order- this could be very dangerous when the foal has grown if it starts to attack humans. Miller also recommends that the first part of the technique being carried out in the first 45 minutes of the foals life, before it has even stood up, which involves repeatedly (50 times is recommended) sticking fingers in the foals ears, nose, anus and rubbing hands and clippers all over the body. Within this time the foal should be finding its feet and the mares teats for its first feed of colostrum in order to give it immune protection.
The video shows Miller entering the stable of a mare and her 12-day-old foal. The foal had been pushy for the past five days and Millers way of rectifying this was to kick the foal until it stopped reacting to the kicking. Are we really to assume that the foal will connect this beating administered while he was quite in the stable with his mum, with his bad behaviour in the past few days? I find this unlikely and am more inclined to think that the foal will associate humans coming in his stable with pain. Is this something we really want to achieve with our foals? Miller's explanation for this punishment is that, in the wild, stallions will kick pushy foals to put them in their place. This again demonstrates Miller's lack of understanding of equine behaviour as the mare is the one who puts the foal in its place and always immediately after the undesired behaviour has occurred, the stallion has little to do with the foals.
Regular handling of foals and gradually introducing them to different stimuli is important in the creating of a well-rounded individual BUT consider the relationship you want to you want to create with your youngster and whether its to be based on a potentially dangerous dominant-submissive foundation or one of trust. Please think long and hard before further lining the pockets of this man who in my opinion is promoting animal abuse.
IT WORKS!!!.......2001-09-27
I bought this book when my mare was five months preg. I read hundreds of times. When my foal came I did exactly what was in it, and my foal loads, ties, is good for the farrier, leads, ponies, EVERYTHING! One should not be without this book if they want a well-mannered baby.
Book Description
After witnessing the murder of her parents at the hands of a one-eyed Indian warrior, Marsha Eveland swore she'd never forgive his people. But then her brother announces plans to marry Soft Wind, beautiful sister of the Creek chieftain Swift Horse. Now, even if she can accept her brother's betrayal, can Marsha come to terms with a new feeling she cannot deny-one that drives her into the arms of that same chieftain?
Customer Reviews:
Absolute drivel.........2006-08-09
I have never read any of the others books by this author, but if this book is any examply of her writing, I will not be reading anything else by her. The characters were one-dimensional, and the dialogue unbelievably unnatural. The heroine was spoiled, impulsive, and oh-so sappy sweet that I wanted to wring her neck by the end...The hero was blinded by loyalty to his friend so he didn't see how evil the man really was. And over, and over, every other character can't help but say how nice, caring, thoughtful, sympathetic..bleh bleh bleh the hero and heroine were to the point that I thought I would vomit by the end.
One of the main ways that I judge a book is if the author writes the characters so well that I fall in love with them. If the author can take me away from reality and wish I was in that same situation he/she is describing so I could be with that leading man, then I know the author has done a fantastic job. This book was the anti-thesis of how I judge a book: I pretty much hated the main characters by the end.
But I will say that the author did do a fairly good job of describing some of the surroundings.
If I could have given this book zero stars, I would have. I hope I can get my money back from the store...
Great Read.......2006-05-08
I bought this book about a week ago and just finished it last night. I definitely recommend it. Easy to read, interesting, fast-paced, starry-eyed romance. Although the writing wasn't highly intelectual, I very much enjoyed the book. I have to wonder about some people's reviews...some people seem to look for the negative, even exaggerate it. It wasn't the best-written book, but it was enjoyable, interesting, and had a sweet romantic feel to it. It was easy to get swept away in the beautiful romance between Marsha and Swift Horse. I will buy many more books by Cassie Edwards.
The Worst Book I've Ever Read.......2006-02-03
I'm not calling this the worst book ever, because I frankly never underestimate the ability of commercial authors to put out drivel. It is however, hands down, the worst book I've ever read...and I've read a lot of really bad books. This book gets 2 stars from me as opposed to 1 because it was so poorly written that it was actually funny. I haven't laughed out loud that many times while reading a book in a long time. Unfortunately, I don't think that it was meant to be a comedy. It read like a 13 year old wrote it. The dialogue was unnatural, the social commentary laughable and unbelievable, and the characters unsympathetic. By the end I was wishing for the book's villan, "One-Eye" (yeah, I got quite a few laughs out of that appellation), to actually succeed in killing all the other characters. I'm sure that if you're in the mood for a Cassie Edwards romance or a Native-American themed novel, you can find much better out there. This one just doesn't make the grade.
I Judged the Book By It's Cover..........2006-01-20
I walked past this book at a local store, and it caught my eye. I picked it up and jokingly told my mother that it seemed like a book she'd want: a book with a handsome Native American Indian on it, of course.
After that day, I ended up looking up some information on the book. The storyline sounded interesting, so I purchased it and read it.
Now, I do not usually enjoy reading...few books actually interest me long enough to finish through the entire story. However, I thoroughly enjoyed this book as I, a nonreader, finished the book in about a week...which is good for me since I hadn't read a book for personal enjoyment in many months.
I am new to the whole romance novel thing, so do take that into consideration with my opinion...I have nothing of its sort to compare it to. That said, I found Cassie Edwards to be a wonderful author. The book was very easy reading and fast-paced. There was a fine storyline behind the romance between Swift Horse and Marsha that helped keep my interest. I was never bored with this book, and looked forward to the next chance I was able to pick it up. I particularly enjoyed some of the tidbits of the culture of the Native American tribe Edwards wrote about.
So if you are looking for a nice easy read, definitely give this book a shot. I will surely be reading more of Cassie Edwards' books in the near future (in fact, I've already bought another one).
It was A HEAD SCRATCHER..............2006-01-11
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
After witnessing the murder of her parents at the hands of a one-eyed Indian warrior, Marsha Eveland swore she'd never forgive his people. But then her brother announces plans to marry Soft Wind, beautiful sister of the Creek chieftain Swift Horse. Now, even if she can accept her brother's betrayal, can Marsha come to terms with a new feeling she cannot deny-one that drives her into the arms of that same chieftain?
THOUGHTS:
Let me be the first to review and rate this book and say I thought it was rushed as though the author had not met her deadline for this book. i felt like i was rushing through it like everything was going by and i missed what happen, example swift horse and marsha did a little flirting but the first time that they actually had a conversation they are already saying I LOVE U! and then they are already talking about marriage and this isn't even the middle of the book yet. The book description states that she is angry for what the indians did to her parents and feels betrayal from her brother wanting to marry an indian believe me she was far from angry her brother told her about the marriage and she had a hissy fit after that its like everything was happy go lucky "i'm so happy all the time except for seeing the man who killed my parents". BELIEVE ME THE ONLY THING THAT KEPT ME GOING WAS THE LITTLE ACTION IN THE BOOK that was for the 1 star and the love scene do not get me started on that it was like a love scene between an old couple it was over quickly. WHAT IS GOING ON its like some pages where missing. This is my fist Cassie Edwards and my first indian romance novel but i will not say it will be my last she has gotten some good reviews for her other books and will try the others. Maybe some one will think differently when they read this book or maybe its just me after reading the book description my expectation was too high and now my opinion is very low...
I End each review by saying that everybody has a different opinion when writting a review if we all had the same reviews or opinions it would be boring. Reviews can sometimes down play a really good book or up play a really bad book its up to us to read the book and judge for ourselfs and draw our own conclusion thats the best thing about a review its like a silent debate....
Book Description
A story of adventure and self-discovery.
Each book in the Mustang Mountain series is a thrilling read filled with stories of friendship, adventure and intrigue.
Alison Chant is angry at the world. She wants a new horse, but everything gets in her way. First, her mom says, 'No more horses!' Then, Alison finds the horse of her dreams. But it belongs to a young girl named Kristy Jones, who refuses to sell her beloved Skipper.
Regrettably, Alison takes matters into her own hands. She gets Skipper and herself into terrible trouble at a barrel race.
Who can save her? Will it be Chuck McClintock, the goofy, redheaded cowboy she met at Mustang Mountain Ranch? Or will it be his good-looking cousin Craig?
Alison is wondering what to do when a surprise visitor shows up to test the limits of her endurance.
Alison will need all her resources of courage and strength to heal and make things right.
Customer Reviews:
worst mustang mountain book yet.......2006-01-15
This was my least favorite Mustang Mountain book. Are you supposed to like and feel bad for Alison? She was very bratty. It was an okay book, but I am not crazy about it. All the other Mustang Mountains are pretty good, though!
Average customer rating:
|
Equitacion Centrada/ Centered Riding (Herakles)
Sally Swift
Manufacturer: Hispano Europea Editorial
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Equestrian | Horses | Individual Sports | Sports | Subjects | Books
Spanish | Foreign Language Nonfiction | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
Equestres | Deportes Individuales | Deportes | Libros en español | Formats | Books | Carrera
No-Ficción | Libros en español | Formats | Books | Automotriz | Ciencias Sociales | Crimen y Criminales | Educación | Estudios de la Mujer | Feriados | Filosofía | Gobierno | Hechos Verídicos | Planeamiento Urbano y Desarrollo | Política | Sucesos de Actualidad | Transportación
ASIN: 8425511968 |
Books:
- Christmas with Paula Deen: Recipes and Stories from My Favorite Holiday
- Club Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 3)
- Come the Spring (Clayborne Brothers)
- Computational Electrodynamics: The Finite-Difference Time-Domain Method, Third Edition
- Dinner with a Perfect Stranger: An Invitation Worth Considering
- Dragon of the Red Dawn (A Stepping Stone Book(TM))
- Flashman and the Angel of the Lord
- Gemstones (Smithsonian Handbooks)
- Half Life: A Novel
- Harry Potter Schoolbooks Box Set: From the Library of Hogwarts: Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, Quidditch Through The Ages
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Women & Money: Owning the Power to Control Your Destiny
- The Book of Air and Shadows
- Fatty Acid and Lipid Chemistry
- Lady of Avalon
- Leonardo's Notebooks
- Red Carpets and Other Banana Skins: The Autobiography
- Mokume Gane
- Human Figure
- Francis Bacon's Studio
- Macromolecular Crystallography with Synchrotron Radiation
Centered Riding 2: Further Explorations
Yoga for Equestrians: A New Path to Achieving Union with the Horse
How Your Horse Wants You to Ride: Starting Out, Starting Over
The Rider's Fitness Program
Simplify Your Riding: Step-by-Step Techniques to Improve Your Riding Skills
