CRC - Making The Young Horse The Rational Way Elwyn Hartley Edwards

Making The Young Horse The Rational Way, Elwyn Hartley Edwards

Publisher: J.A. Allen & Co Ltd, London, England.

Book Synopsis

The purpose of training the 'rational way' is to produce a versatile riding horse - a rounded individual well able to take part creditably in competitive events at a good middle-of-the-road level, whose preparation allows him to enjoy his working life, while contributing materially to his rider's enjoyment of the relationship. Topics covered include: grooming and handling, diet and routine, long-reining and transitions in-hand, work on the lunge, backing, communication, riding out, schooling, jumping, turning out, saddlery and equipment. The author acknowledges that there are other methods of training that achieve their results in a shorter space of time, but holds that the proven, 'rational way' described here, while taking longer, also lasts longer. It is more relevant to the modern requirement and more conducive to the production of the happy horse, balanced in mind and body.

CRC Review

Captain Elwyn Hartley Edwards has been a bestselling equestrian writer for as long as most people can remember. With a lucid, elegant prose style, he emerged over the years to be an acknowledged authority on equestrian matters with more than 30 published books behind him. He also edited the magazine Riding and was consultant editor to Horse & Hound.

In Making the Young horse, Elwyn covers everything from the foal to adulthood very clearly – a reflection on this author’s great gift for writing and also packing so much information into one book.

Starting with anatomy, conformation and development and how that will influence the progress of the foal to that of a ridden horse, and how the handling of a foal will affect the horse in later life, it also covers behaviour and characteristics.

Elwyn has included advice on gadgets, recognising that many trainers use them - although he is not in favour of them himself. He warns that people may be tempted but in inexperienced hands, they can lead to dangerous shortcuts and have ruined many a young horse in the the rush to get results.

The book is divided into parts. Part 3: ‘Primary School’ deals with the 3 year old horse and covers feeding, grooming and handling, fitting equipment and the type of work you should be doing at this stage. It is very clearly set out and follows a logical pattern; each exercise gives direction on how and why you are doing the exercise – from walking in hand to lunging, long reining and finally backing.

Part 4: ‘Secondary School’ education is aimed at the 4 year old starting with an overview of diet and the various health checks which should be done before bringing the young horse back into work. I found some of the exercises very useful although the average 4 year old would need to be strong and well developed since some of the work might be too much for the immature type or one that does not have perfect conformation. Everyone should always be prepared to take things a little more slowly.

Overall however, this was a useful book with a range of subjects, lots of ideas and good value for money. It was also very well illustrated and laid out.