The Balanced Horse: The Aids by Feel, Not Force Hardcover – June 7, 2013

When I first bought this book, I couldn’t fully appreciate what the author had to say about the aids and developing “perfect understanding” with the horse. My riding has reached a new level recently and this has become an invaluable textbook for understanding how shifts in my position translate into movement for my horse.Each chapter ends with Classical Quotes from different schools of riding. They provide interesting views for consideration.At the end of the book suggested exercises are listed for each chapter.One thing I especially liked was how the author points out when aids or cues are the same in various riding disciplines.

I have been riding dressage for years but find that there is always more to learn. Sylvia Loch's book is that addition one wants to add to existing knowledge. I was so pleasantly surprised as I got into the ebook, how much information there was and described in a way that is easy to understand. The photos are also very helpful. More than anything it really made me aware how aids are never static always have to flow with the balance and situation at hand. Her description of various rein aids really added to my repertoire. Her frase of" if one door closes another door has to open" is very powerful. I can really recommend the book and as it had a content site in the ebook version, it is easy to go back and look up information. I very much recommend this book.

The photographs are spectacular and the text is clear and easily understandable. I own several Sylvia Plath books and videos--all of which I've benefitted from as have my horses. Her training techniques are clear, honest and careful of both rider and horse.

A well-written book packed with information! I've read it three times and it continues to reveal new information each time. The inclusion of the "Classical Quotes" at the end of each chapter validate these time-honored concepts. In addition, the photos are excellent. They appear to have been taken specifically to illustrate a point in the book. This is a big improvement over many books where the photos appear to be afterthoughts: pulled together from existing libraries and often are not the best illustration of the point the author is trying to convey.

I am new to classical riding, only about 1 1/2 years into it. This book is written for riders of any level to understand, although it's always best to have a (true classical) dressage teacher for 'eyes on' when you are riding or learning. I plan on using The Balanced Horse as my lesson textbook. There are a lot of photos of what the author is explaining in text, highlighted tips, and classical quotes from past and present masters. When I finish this book, I will start it again. The information is invaluable and can't be gone over enough. If there were 10 stars I would give it a 10! Thank you Sylvia Loch for this gift to horsemanship!

I probably have over 100 horse books...and this is one of my very favorites! Between the very thorough descriptions and the great photos, it is one of the most helpful books I have encountered, as an "adult onset equestrian"! As a special note, the incredible setting within which most of these photos were taken make this visually appealing as well as functionally helpful. I keep this by my bedside and refer to it often!

A great book that really gets to the point about that the rider needs to do in order to make your horse more successful. Almost all problems with riding come from the rider and the lack of clear communication with the horse. In this book you are given a better view about what you need to do as you simply do not just sit there like non-equestrians believe. Many of the suggestions are simple but when put into practice make an enormous positive difference in your horse. I definitely recommend this book.

This book promises to reveal how to get a horse "balanced" with Natural Horsemanship principles. It fails to do that, because the author promotes riding a young horse with pressure on the mouth to "help" it balance...this takes away from the horse's ability to balance himself. Riding with pressure causes the horse to brace from nose to tail and from top line to the feet...since horses learn from the release of pressure the idea of riding with constant pressure (without a release of that pressure when the horse softens) only teaches a horse to pull on you and consequently prevents him from being balanced unless you are supporting him. This pits your strength against the horses...which a losing proposition.Robert Parker - Natural Horsemanship Trainer

I enjoyed this book as it is a straightforward discussion of how to use the aids such as shifting weight around for more subtle almost invisible means of steering your horse. The first half will be relevant to all riders and the second half to riders wishing to use more advanced dressage. I bought the kindle edition and the layout of text around the pictures was sometimes a bit strange or awkward to follow.

I liked this book very much for it's clarity and wisdom bringing together Sylvia's experience and observations over decades as well as key messages from the greatest horsemen in history.This is a book containing many explanatory photographs which I find particularly helpful for visualization purposes and self directed learning and I believe this book has application to all equine disciplines.I find Sylvia's writing style to be down to earth and inspirational.This book exceeded my expectations and I would recommend it to all who are dedicated to improving their equitation skills and knowledge

A fabulously clear and concise book about classical riding. Super photographs and explanations of the aids given to the horse from the basics to high school movements. I would highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to improve the way they ride their horse.. from novice rider to the more experienced.

A very well written book, filled with clear instructions, down to the tiniest details. I recommend it to all who would like to take riding to a level where perfecting the partnership between horse and rider is the ultimate goal. While there would be plenty to quote from the book I would like to highlight the following which in my opinion gives the essence of this book and should be applied not only in the art of riding, but in life in general: "Once an insight is understood and confirmed through practice, they may then go on to use it with all their horses, remembering to apologize to the older ones for the fact it has taken so long."

I bought this book after reading an extract in Horse and Rider. I had never even heard of Sylvia Loch. It is the most clearly written, well articulated book I have read in a long time. It is invaluable in understanding the fine details of the aids, their affect on the horse and on you as the rider.It is also a great book to refer to time and time again. In fact the more you read it the more things just seem to make sense. Sylvia explains things in simple terms and makes it a great read for any level of rider.Invaluable! Buy it, you won't be disappointed!