From Leading to Liberty: One Hundred Training Games Your Horse Will Want to Play

Outstanding -- the best book I have yet to purchase on training and fun/fitness exercises. My horses have responded very well and we are working on one exercise per week. And, they work! Our horses also seem to know they are games and are interested and active during the process.All the exercises are laid out clearly and each step is explained and illustrated in diagrams, making it very clear and simple to follow.Later exercises are more complex, but this book is terrific for both the less experienced and very experienced horse owner, especially those who ride less and are seeking interesting exercises and games to keep their horses active and happy.Absolutely the best feature of the book is a 'back to basics' section which discusses what you need to know about body language (we all need to improve our own body language) and clearly defines steps that need to be taken. I will give just one simple example here.While backing my Off-Track Thoroughbred, I used to face his tail and tap him lightly on the chest. He would comply, but then I read that Jutta recommends standing facing forward (at his shoulder) and simply asking him to step back with you, as you step back. My OTTB got it on the first try and now I only have to assume this position and he knows what to do. In short, these instructions are completely soft, ethical and easy for the horse to understand. Thank you, Jutta for a great volume!

Very useful exercises

If you are serious about having fun this is just the book for you!If you love your horses you can only have fun if they are happy. In Jutta's book she shows you how to make your horses happy and how to become a good and reliable leader by establishing a good relationship. Don't skip the first part of getting your body language right and the first yielding and leading games as this is where you're mainly working on yourself and your relationship to your horse. Jutta has also got some DVDs out very worth watching. They are called "Playing with Horses" to be purchased at Equestrian Vision.

fun

The general public and equestrians alike are fascinated with equine liberty acts, and perhaps many equestrians would consider liberty to be just a bunch of tricks while quietly wondering how such things are possible. There are certainly lots of folk who play with their horses, and there are certainly lots who try to "make" their horses do things. This book is about the former of course, and it demonstrates how an equestrian can enter a paradigm shift in thinking about their interactions with the horse: both in terms of what is possible and how liberty is a result of building relationships and trust.

I bought this book for my granddaughter and I to share some more horse activities than just riding . We read the first few chapters and went out to try it on the horses. Everything Jutta said to do worked like a charm..We were amazed! So we're on to the next chapter. Juttas intelligence and life experience shine through in her writing. As I'm reading I'm motivated to go outside and follow her directions immediately! And looking at the picture of the author made me realize I know her. We met 15 years ago when she taught vaulting to my daughter. Val Jackson

This is my teenage daughters newest favorite book. She has already taught our horse how to kick a ball and touch a target. This book is very helpful at finding ways to stimulate a horse mentally. And, lots of fun to boot.

I am pleased I bought this book I am sure I will use this book over and over again. I think using ideas from it will allow my horses to express their individual natures

I appreciate that the book is one of very few that encourages people to enjoy their horses out of the saddle and give them a home for life, even when their ridden career has ended, and I really like it for that reason. However, a lot of these games rely on whips and ropes and there is a prominent encouragement to 'show the horse who is boss' throughout the book. I thought, given the title and the 'games your horse will want to play' slogan, that the book would be based on positive reinforcement, but it's not.

This is a fascinating and enlightening book would thourghly recommend

Haven't read it all yet but what i have read is really good. Spend time with your horse on the ground, it really pays dividends. Love it.

A friend lent me her book and after reading a few chapters I realized that it was a book I would refer many times.

bought as gift went down well told it is a good book