101 Ground Training Exercises for Every Horse & Handler (Read & Ride) Paperback – May 8, 2012

The media could not be loaded. Great detailed photos in the book and very clear instruction. This book is extremely helpful and great quality.

Love this book - builds really well on Parelli work I've already done. The real advantage of it is that it gives simple exercises, that are easy to follow. My horse will get on the float but will not stand for me to put the bar across the back - she backs out before I can do this. I realised that I need to work more on my forward, halt and stand messages. Cherry Hall also encourages voice commands, which I love because a quiet, calm but confident voice calms the horse too in stressful situations (a calm voice works so well with cattle too). If you have trouble at any point with an exercise, it gives you ideas on what might have gone wrong and refers you back to earlier, basic exercises. The layout and explanations on where things might be going wrong are fantastic and has helped my confidence immensely. I read up on several exercises each night and then try them the next day with my horse. Increasingly, I can see her looking at me as if she is saying "That was interesting, what are we going to do next?" or "Is that what you wanted me to do?". I'm sure horses have a sense of humour now and that they can smile! I'm finally appreciating that even if the exercise isn't perfect, we are both playing but training & learning at the same time.

A good basic primer for groundwork. It assumes an absolute beginner's level on the part of both horse and handler. Basic concepts like voice commands and basic equipment for in-hand work are thoroughly discussed. As someone with years of experience riding and driving horses, there were plenty of things I already knew. I am currently working in a round pen for the first time, with a rescue mare who has some issues and am finding that going back to basics is what I need to do with her. This has been a helpful book to give me ideas of how to approach some of her negative behaviors, by starting over as if she knew nothing. Much of the book is devoted to very basic things- haltering, being touched all over, leading. If your horse already knows how to lead and lounge, this book may be a bit basic for you but it is helpful for those looking to ground break a horse for the first time or dealing with a horse who may have some vices on the ground.The biggest drawback to this book is the layout. It is spiral bound, which is a nice idea so it will lay flat in the barn, which is what I expected. However, it is printed like a calendar- the pages are oriented vertically, one on top of the other. The binding is at the top of the unopened book, not the left side. It has holes so it can be hung for easy referral in the barn or arena, but it makes this book more difficult to read if you're sitting in a chair or on the couch.

As good as it gets. I do like it very much and eager to try it as soon as my arm heals.

I've always enjoyed Ground Work and now I'm training a 10 yo girl in riding and THIS is the book that broke through to her about how a horse sees the world and to move in a logical order step by step. She of course is eager to ride but now she spends 90 minutes working on ground manners and training and then 40 minutes riding by her own choice.I have bought at least 10 copies of 101 Ground Training Exercises book. Each time I get to training up a new rider they must go through the whole book with my paint mare MayMay who knows how to train humans in the art of respect. She just STOPS when they are in the wrong. I can help start them with exercises and then leave them alone to figure out how they will work.I have a great push button gelding Sazerac to start ANYONE but that isn’t learning how to ride. To learn they must get through the course with MayMay to gain confidence and make a true friendship with her.Ask a stallion.Tell a gelding.Discuss it with a mare and come to a consensus. .

I bought this edition of ground training exercises because my family bought me a lovely 18th month old quarter horse for Christmas, and I wanted to review ground training basics. Even though I will be using a professional trainer, I wanted to understand the training exercises and this book covers all the basics to include body language, and basic horse behavior responses. This is a great book. The only flaw with the book is that it says it is designed to take outside and use as a reference to hang off the fence! The paper is not designed to withstand damp environments so I would recommend doing your reading inside, or if you use it as a barn reference store it in a dry place when it is not in use.

I used to waste more time thinking about what to work on and got less done because of that. This book helps formulate a structure to your in-hand work and the tips and comments keep you confident they are working...and they do. Cherry's style is very similar to Clinton Anderson, (Or maybe his is similar to hers!?) and I use them both in equal measures. No violence, just good horsemanship techniques to create a trusting, respectful partnership with your horse. My favourite comment in the book, and one I now live by, was:" your horse doesn't need a friend, he needs a leader".I have two stallions and this training method has given me the tools to go out and show them in the knowlege that I have their respect and trust and that I can handle any issues that might arise. That foundation will now assist in their starting under saddle and, hopefully their continued success. To use another saying from an old friend."The foundation isn't inportant.......it's everything!"This book helps get that foundation in place.