Clinton Anderson's Downunder Horsemanship: Establishing Respect and Control for English and Western Riders Hardcover – October 1, 2004

I've been riding horses since my early childhood (I'm 42), but just getting back into the hobby after a 20 yr break, and the happy owner of a very green 3,5 yr old filly. My little horse is without particular issue and well intended, but knows next to *nothing*... Which makes two of us ! I know what kind of results I want to achieve with her, but when it comes to actually training her to get there, my mind just goes blank and I feel totally clueless !I've read a truckload of horse training manuals, many of which are good and useful, but I couldn't really identify ONE method that made sense from A to Z and made me comfortable enough to stick with and really try as a whole.I purchased this book thanks to numerous reviews on this site, and boy, am I glad I did.First, the method seems effective, to the point, humane, and doable by the average Joe or Jane, as the average horse as well. There is a bit of requirement for special gear, but I worked my away around that by modifying cheaper standard gear, and it worked very well for me.The second thing I loved about the book was how it was put together, it's an extremely smart and sleek concept of pictures and written directions, the photos being of the two real horse/rider couples that Anderson chose to illustrate his method. The exercices are described step by step, with the most common mistakes for both horse and rider, troubleshooting tips, and feedback of both riders about the exercice.Great emphasis is made on the necessity to respect order and progression in the method, which is built in a very logical way, each exercice builds on the previous one (which both makes the horse progress AND review whatever skill he has acquired).Anderson asks that the reader goes through the whole book before starting, thoroughly teaches each exercice in the directed order, takes notes, practices, and sees the method to it's ends, fair enough. He also encourages readers to find a buddy to train with and be accountable to (a known factor of success in any enterprise). I guess many people will be strongly tempted to skip a few things or move the order within the method, mostly wanting to *ride* their horse before they're actually allowed to.Personally, I'm fighting hard again this temptation, as I want to give the method it's full chance to show it's power on my horse.So far I'm only 4 exercices into the method, and despited being a bit puzzled or feeling inadequate sometimes, I feel the method is very positive and balanced in it's progression (a sensitizing exercice is always followed by a desensitizing one) and so far has worked very well for my little mare. I do a lot of mistakes and definitely need to sharpen my curing skills, body language and "reading" of my horse, but this method makes her comfortable enough with my tries to not spook or brace at anything I offer her. Our relationship (which was already good but very new) has already grown and improved and we work together for future success I think. Of course it'd be more impressive if I could say I had a problem horse before, but to me the method is worthy as *I* am my horse's problem, being so inexperienced at training (and she being just totally green).All in all, the method and thinking behind it sounds safe, healthy and reliable, not to say effective, and the way it is presented is excellent, with the feedback of the real, average riders who put it to the test.I definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in getting a more responsive and easier horse.

The media could not be loaded. I have a young filly who really is a gem, and behaves very well for her age and temperament. She is a VERY high energy horse, and it seems like she is constantly bouncing off the walls and fidgeting and pawing and chewing and etc. I wanted to take her to a new groundwork and respect level, so I bought this book and the results are instant and amazing! I've been in the horse world for a long time, and I've also been a fan of Clinton Anderson for a long time. This book has the complete explanation and breakdown of the exercises as well as common horse and handler mistakes and how to avoid/ correct them, as well as plenty of real life examples. I've had this book for a week, and I am doing the first two exercises only, and taking it slow. However, my filly is so smart that sometimes I'm shocked by her, and she was doing the first exercise PERFECTLY by the third time I asked her to do it. Now she watches my body language and responds in kind. The 2nd exercise is a piece of cake, as I've already done plenty of rope and whip desensitizing with her, which is IMPORTANT. do not neglect that step. It has already saved my filly from injury at least ten times. I watched her run around her pasture too fast one time, she slipped, fell, slid along the ground and got all four legs stuck through the fence (back when we had no-climb fencing). I was the one trying not to panic, but she very calmly pulled one foot out of the fence at a time, and stood up with a big sigh, shake, and then went over to finish her breakfast. No injuries....so grateful. Desensitizing is so, so necessary. :) She is curious and gets into things you wouldn't even think possible, and because she is used to things all around her, over her, under her, around her legs, and etc, she does not panic. Anyways, this book is PERFECT. it will change and improve your mentality, confidence, and skills, as well as your horse's and also help you both grow in your relationship together as you understand one another more. Definitely recommend this! :) I attached a few photos of her during/after working with her, and one video so everyone can see how fidgety she was. She's still kinda obsessed with chains that she can clang around for whatever reason, but she stands very quietly now, and this is after such a short time.