Long Reining with Double Dan: Safe, Controlled Ground Techniques for Building Partnership, Achieving Softness, and Overcoming Training and Behavioral Issues

Are you ready to build a stronger partnership with your horse? Hoping to achieve a remarkable softness from the ground before you swing into the saddle? Starting a youngster or working to overcome training and behavioural problems in an older mount? Becoming bored with endless round-penning? Australian equestrian stars Dan James and Dan Steers of Double Dan Horsemanship are here to show every horse owner the basic steps to an infinitely useable training skill: long-reining. If ever there was hidden treasure in the diverse and ever-evolving realm of horsemanship, it is this underused but incredibly valuable practice. Long-reining benefits every equestrian discipline as — James and Steers demonstrate — improving the horse's self-carriage and responsiveness to the aids, and your feel and timing, and all from a safe and controlled position on the ground. p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Minion Pro'} p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Minion Pro'} Bring long-reining into your barn with these 20 easy-to-understand lessons, explained step-by-step with full-colour photographs, including how to:  use and hold long reins introduce them to your horse navigate with accuracy and change speed perform lateral work that improves your horse's flexibility and overall movement. You, and your horse, will enjoy the drive.

Table of Contents:
Foreword by Bo Jena YouTube Tutorials 1. Introduction LEVEL ONE 2. Preparing the Trainer and Horse 3. Advancing to a Bit and Two-Rein Work 4. Beyond Circles - Advanced Level One Exercises LEVEL TWO 5. Transitioning to Teaching the Horse 6. Combining Speed, Direction Change and Spirals LEVEL THREE 7. Refining Long-Reining 8. Speed Control, Transitions, and Obstacles 9. Advanced Lateral Work 10. Pinwheels and Flying Lead Changes Moving On Acknowledgements Inex

About the Author :
Dan Steers Growing up in Western Australia Dan Steers first discovered his love for horses in his early teens; at 15 he began working for master farrier and horseman Pete Webber developing his horsemanship and farrier skills. At 17, Steers began working for cutting trainer, Corry Holden, where he spent months training horses and was quickly recognized for his achievements in the show ring. Before long he was conducting regular horsemanship clinics and became highly respected for his skills, talent and ability to communicate. In 2008, Steers joined his good friend, Dan James, in Western Australia at El Caballo Spanish Horse Centre where they performed together each weekend in the Dan and Dan Show developing their horsemanship techniques. In 2009, Steers and James relocated to New South Wales and Double Dan Horsemanship was born leading both young stars down the Pathway to Liberty. Starting and training horses with the Double Dan Horsemanship method and showcasing their talents is Steers true passion. By combining education and entertainment Steers electrifies crowds around the world. Dan James Born in Queensland Australia on a small cattle farm, Dan James, first began his lifelong passion with horses at six weeks old. The family milking goat would suffice until he got his first pony. Starting his first colt in his early teens sparked his hunger to understand more about the horse s thinking patterns. After studying at Longreach Pastoral College, James began traveling the world to gain a better understanding of horses. In 2008, James joined his good friend, Dan Steers, in Western Australia at El Caballo Spanish Horse Centre where they performed together each weekend in the Dan and Dan Show developing their horsemanship techniques. In 2009, Steers and James relocated to New South Wales and Double Dan Horsemanship was born leading both young stars down the Pathway to Liberty. In 2008, James was recognized as a world class colt trainer when he won the Way of the Horse at Equitana Asia Pacific. In 2012, James wowed judges again with his incredible training techniques winning the coveted Road to the Horse International Colt Starting World Champion title. James continues to push the limits of horsemanship and entertainment with eye-opening clinics and exhilarating performances. Helping horse enthusiasts expand their knowledge and understand for the Love of the Horse. Both James and Steers make Stephenville, TX, their American home base."

Review :
I'm a great believer in groundwork, and I do basic long reining with my horse. I find it really useful for seeing how he's moving, as well as introducing new work without a rider and keeping him supple. Looking at this book, though, I've only just been scratching the surface! This book was packed with useful advice, including safety issues and what to do it if all goes a bit wrong. This is an American book, and I wasn't sure how the techniques would translate to English schooling ideas but actually, everything was really relevant. I'll certainly exploring long reining more in the future, although I may have to co-opt someone to call the instructions out at the same time! Dan James and Dan Steers book showcases the method according to these Australian trainers with everything you ever wanted to know about how to long rein/long line. From absolute basic ground level and how to handle two reins to advanced lateral work and exercises in trot and canter.   Dan James and his partner in Double Dan Horsemanship, Dan Steers, are very well suited to offer advice in achieving success with long-lining techniques in a friendly, easy-to-follow manner.  If you have ever seen the Double Dans perform a long-reining demonstration, I am sure that you have been amazed by their skill and talent. Here at North American Western Dressage, we understand that good horsemanship begins on the ground. Long-reining can help you and your horse develop a great deal of harmony before you ever get in the saddle, and your horse can learn to use his body in a beneficial manner without the added weight of a rider. Working your horse from the ground enhances physical and emotional fitness, and this is a great step-by-step guide to help you, with lots of terrific exercises.