The Horse Agility Handbook A Step-By-Step Introduction to the Sport

by Bee, Vanessa

• ISBN13: 9781570764882
• ISBN10: 1570764883
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-01-20
• Publisher: Trafalgar Square Books

Summary

All aspects of competing in equine agility are reviewed in this handler's guide, including explanations of the basics of the horse itself, the reasoning behind their behavior, and getting and maintaining their attention before training. Respecting the animal but keeping safety in mind at all times, the appropriate attitudes for both horse and teacher are discussed along with maintaining the appropriate level of patience. Covering the safe construction and negotiation of obstacles, this all-inclusive handbook also demonstrates how to use imagination to develop the scope of even the simplest structure. Methods for safely approaching the horse to catch and lead it are presented as well as how to look for signs of compliance and acceptance, encouraging the horse to see the handler as an efficient leader. With an outline of competitive levels, tips on organizing competitions and training days, and a troubleshooting section, this study also features helpful case studies of real life situations.

Author Biography

Vanessa Bee is a professional horse handler who teaches safe handling, ground skills, and horse agility to equine students, wardens, equine clubs, and all equine staff, volunteers, and inspectors for Ireland’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. ix
Note to the Reader	p. xi
Introduction to Horse Agility	p. 1
How to Use This Book	p. 2
What Is Horse Agility?	p. 4
Horse Agility vs. Trick Training	p. 4
What Would Your Horse Choose to Do?	p. 4
General Equipment	p. 8
Helmet	p. 8
Boots and Gloves	p. 8
Tack	p. 9
Training Area	p. 11
Obstacles for Getting Started	p. 13
Equipment You Won't Need	p. 16
Horse and Handler Attitude and Suitability	p. 18
Reading the Horse	p. 18
Reading Specific Signals in the Horse	p. 20
Posture: What It Says about the Horse's Mental State	p. 26
Human Behavior	p. 29
Catching and Releasing	p. 32
Why "Catching" Is a Bad Idea	p. 32
Inviting the Horse to Come to You	p. 33
Recognizing When the Horse Is Going to Move Away from You	p. 36
Approaching the Horse	p. 36
Putting on the Halter	p. 37
Removing the Halter	p. 37
Room to Move	p. 40
Directing Your Horse's Feet	p. 40
His Space, Your Space	p. 41
Body Language Summary	p. 48
Leading the Horse	p. 50
Learning Not to Pull-A Human-to-Human Game	p. 50
Now Let's Play with a Real Horse!	p. 53
Beginning Horse Agility	p. 57
"Parking"	p. 57
Leading Safely through a Narrow Gap	p. 59
Dancing in Pairs	p. 59
How Strong is Your "Leadingship"?	p. 59
Understanding Softness and Acceptance in the Horse	p. 60
Lowering the Head	p. 61
Bending the Head Round towards the Shoulder	p. 62
Bending the Head Round without the Lead Rope	p. 64
Bending the Head towards the Opposite Shoulder	p. 64
Supporting the Soft Bend	p. 66
How Your Horse Knows What You Want	p. 68
The Two-Horse Herd	p. 68
The Horse's "Guide"	p. 69
Setting Up Slightly Scary Situations	p. 73
Working the Horse "Free"	p. 82
Steering without a Lead Rope	p. 83
Forward	p. 83
Speeding Up	p. 86
Slowing Down and Stopping	p. 88
Backing Up	p. 88
Moving Left and Right	p. 89
Coping with Unwanted Behaviors	p. 96
Horses that Need to Move	p. 96
Horses that Pull You Along	p. 99
Horses that Nip and Bite	p. 99
Horses that Eat Grass when Standing or Being Lead	p. 102
Introducing Agility Obstacles	p. 106
Introductory Obstacles	p. 106
Handler Basics	p. 107
Getting Started	p. 111
The Obstacles	p. 112
Obstacle Skill-Building	p. 113
Standing Still	p. 113
The Hula Hoop Stand	p. 115
Picking Up Feet	p. 116
Leading through a Narrow Gap	p. 117
Passing through a Gateway	p. 118
Crossing a Tarpaulin	p. 119
Backing Up	p. 121
Weaving through Cones or Poles	p. 121
Clearing a Small Jump	p. 122
Passing through an S Bend	p. 126
Stepping through Poles	p. 126
Carrying a Light Load	p. 127
Crossing a Bridge	p. 129
Scary Corner	p. 130
Backing Up over a Pole	p. 132
Stepping onto a Podium	p. 133
Passing through a Tunnel	p. 135
Passing through a Curtain	p. 136
Seesaw	p. 138
The A Frame	p. 139
Trailer Loading	p. 141
Rolling a Ball	p. 143
Jumping through the Hoop	p. 144
Constructing Safe Obstacles	p. 146
Permanent vs. Portable	p. 146
Non-Slip Surfaces	p. 146
Building Basics	p. 147
The Bridge and A Frame	p. 147
The Podium	p. 149
The Tunnel	p. 150
The Curtain	p. 151
The Seesaw	p. 151
The Hoop	p. 153
Risk Assessment on Obstacles	p. 153
"Wild" Agility-Obstacles and Risks	p. 155
Organizing Play Days and Competitions	p. 162
Running a Competition	p. 162
Where Can You Run These Events?	p. 164
Book a Date	p. 164
Promoting Your Horse Agility Event	p. 164
Running a Training Day and Mini-Competition	p. 164
Checklist for Your Event	p. 165
Horse Agility Courses	p. 166
The Future	p. 168
Want to Start a Horse Agility Club or Find One Near You?	p. 171
Acknowledgements	p. 173
Index	p. 174
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.