Centered Riding

This book is extremely informative and written nicely, I just started back riding about a year ago and this book has helped me immensely with learning the basics and the correct way to ride.

The horseback riding is whole body experience. This book describes how you should FEEL when you ride which is very enlightening. Knowing technique is very important but not necessarily helpful if you do not anticipate how your body must feel while doing various riding exercises. It is simply unclear. You are unable to judge what's wrong despite of your being "technically" correct (or so it seems to you). This book fills this gap beautifully. It also teaches not only how to receive energy from the horse and enjoy it but also how the horse can benefit (mentally and physically) from a good rider. Only one example. I read a lot of descriptions of what is a good half-halt and how to do it. Only after reading this book I finally FELT it. I felt how my horse re-balanced himself under me in response to my re-balancing myself. My horse is very very bouncy. By end of today's lesson I could do sitting trot on him because he collected himself considerably. It was still a little choppy but now I can see that it is at least POSSIBLE. Our circles were super (comparing :-)). I highly recommend this book. As one reader mentioned, it is mine opinion (I can be wrong) that it is not for first-time riders or vacation riders but for people who had ~10 lessons and are planning to continue riding.

I read this book ages ago and just bought it for a friend. This book is amazing for every equestrian and gives you visuals (sometimes a little ridiculous but they work!) to help you imagine and adjust your position. I have recommended this book so many times over the years and have always received thanks from people who said the book really helped. Easy to understand and simple.

Anyone that wants to ride well and really desires to stay out of their horses way will enjoy and benfit from the principles Sally teaches. Her methods also have a positive crossover effect on one's posture in everyday life. This DVD and/or book will benefit Western and English riders as a "Balanced Seat" is the universal prerequisite to good riding. I had borrowed the book years ago and recently bought the DVD for my library. Because I work alone and do not have access to many qualified trainers and clinics; books and DVDs are my teachers. The DVD is good for quick "see how". The sound and picture quality of the DVD was good. I do think however, the book provides much more insight and detail. If you are a "high achiever" into detail I would get the book first. As your balance improves your horse will thank you and as we all know "if your horse ain't happy...no one's happy!"

I’m a new student to English riding. My riding instructor highly recommended this book and I got it the next day - used condition but when I got it I thought it was practically new! Book contents great lots of descriptions and pictures to help visualize posture etc. Highly recommend

I'm not quite finished with this book, but I have applied some of the techniques and visualizations to my training and it has helped alot. This book has many pictures not only of horse and rider but of structures, objects and movements that relate to riding. One example would be, in a turn, imagining that the forward energy of the horse is water rushing through a curved funnel. The horse presses against the outside aids, just as water presses against the outer wall of the funnell. There are many pictures and drawings relating to balance, transitions, hands, circles and turns, etc. It was a good purchase for me.

My favorite book to give to riders! Centered Riding applies across all disciplines of horsemanship.

Huge fan of this authors work! I first read this book in the 90’s and it helped me a great deal. I’m a riding coach and I’ve recently bought several copies to hand out to my students to read. There are very helpful illustrations and Sally Swift does a great job explaining how to get centered! Highly recommend!

It doesn't get much better than Sally Swift. Shes the "OG" of "think of it like this..." It's quite an old book and not many people in my equestrian circle have heard of her, which is too bad. I personally think its a must read for any rider, regardless of discipline. Her 'outside the box' descriptions really do help to visualize what shes trying to describe and they're odd enough that they'll stick in your brain to recall later while you're riding. Also, her personal story is inspiring! I always recommend this book, its one that will have a place in my collection forever.

It was very interesting.

Still reading but very happy with the Sally Swift’s holistic approach

Ho acquistato il libro usato; è in ottime condizioni, è arrivato presto e sono globalmente molto soddisfatta dell'acquisto. Consiglio sicuramente questo libro

Les conseils et l'imagination de Sally Swift sont une aide précieuse pour tout cavalier soucieux d'avoir une relation harmonieuse avec sa monture. Cela a fait la différence pour moi.