Expert advice from an experienced equestrienne pack The Complete Idiot's Guide to Horseback Riding. Learn simple strategies for mastering basic riding skill, essential information on caring for horses, the differences between Western and English riding styles, caring for the saddle and much more! Rules of polo and polocrosse are also included.

"The perfect resource for the horse enthusiast and potential horse owner" - Valerie K. Angeli, Public Information Coordinator, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) "Audrey's instinctive understanding of the equine mind may lead some to wonder if perhaps she was a horse in a previous life." - Betsy Sikora Siino, Award-winning animal writer and coauthor of For the Life of Your Dog "Audrey Pavia understands how to best reach new horse enthusiasts in a fun, easy-to-follow manner." - Moira Harris, Editor, Horse Illustrated and Equine Athlete magazines

Horse Evaluation Checklist on the "Cheat Sheet"

This friendly guide gives you all the information you need to become a knowledgeable horse owner and an accomplished equestrian - from buying, boarding, feeding, and grooming to training, riding, competing, and more.

Inside, find helpful advice on how to:

• Determine if you have what it takes to commit to horse ownership
• Care for your four-legged friend - from grooming and feeding to boarding and handling
• Recognize common horse ailments, and know when to call the vet
• Buy equipment and accessories you'll need - bridles, brushes, saddles, and bits
• Have fun in the saddle, from riding basics to parades and drill teams
• Understand the joys of competition - jumping, dressage, Western, polo, and more
• Discover the ten best horseback vacations

Pick the perfect horse and enjoy years of happy trails!

Buying your first horse is an exciting, buy often daunting, experience. Make the best possible decisions with the expert guide in Getting Your First Horse.

You'll find answers to all your questions as author Judith Dutson takes you step-by-step through the buying or leasing process, including:

• What you need to know before you buy
• What to look for in a horse
• The characteristics of different horse breeds
• What your horse will need for housing, feed, and exercise
• How to be safe around your horse
• How to keep your horse healthy

"The information provided here will save horse owners a great deal of time, money, and heartache, because it provides them with the knowledge they need to buy and care for a horse responsibly."
-- John Lyons

A Must Read for First Time Horse Buyers! For anyone new at buying, caring, and generally knowing horses this is a must read! This book is very straight forward and easy to read and follow. Step by step guidlines are given for those who need them, and for those who don't, Jacqueline Dwelle gives readers a quicker approach. This book gives everything you need to know for buying and taking care of your first horse. It has everything from developing an equine profile to foot care, health problems, and so much more. I highly recommend this book!