Fitness, Performance and the Female Equestrian (Howell Equestrian Library)

By Mary D. Midkiff

Book Overview

In praise of Fitness, Performance and the Female Equestrian
"This book is an important guide for women who want to feel well, ride well and extend their active years." -Chrystine Jones Tauber, former member, United States Equestrian Team Grand Prix Jumping Squad
"Mary Midkiff is a new voice in our evolving cultural freedom, where insights unique to women in this case, in relation to horses and riding are welcome and needed." --Richard M. Timms, M.D., chairman and CEO, Troxel Companies
"This is an exciting approach to an ancient relationship. Mary Midkiff has done horsewomen an important and useful service in bringing it all together." --Mary Vernon, practicing physician and professor of medicine, Lawrence, Kansas
The Howell Equestrian Library is a distinguished collection of books on all aspects of horsemanship and horsemastership. The nearly fifty books in print offer readers in all disciplines and at all levels of competition sound instruction and guidance by some of the most celebrated riders, trainers, judges, and veterinarians in the horse world today. Whether your interest is dressage, show jumping, or western riding, or whether it is breeding, grooming, or health care, Howell has a book to answer your needs. Get to know the books in the Howell Equestrian Library; many are modern-day classics and have achieved the status of authoritative references in the estimation of those who ride, train, and care for horses.
The Howell Equestrian Library

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0876059450
• ISBN13: 9780876059456
• Release Date: October 1996
• Publisher: Howell Books
• Length: 226 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.2" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Good book on improving riding skills and physical condition

This book is somewhat esoteric but does have some very good exercises for the equestrian. The author discusses how the rider's physical condition can improve riding ability and position. Also how other factors, such as poor balance and bad saddle fit can cause pain for both the rider and the horse. She explains how common training myths and rider interpretation contribute to physical discomfort and what the correct response should be in order to maximize rider/horse communication. She also covers common injuries and their causes, proper saddle fit, diet, pregnancy, and aging.

A great book for female riders!

A series of tips signaling key points on health, fitness, nutrition, safety, and comfort. Discusses: * Biomechanic and anatomical considerations for women. ( I would have bought the book just because of these words!) * Stretching and Strengthening exercises to enhance riding performance. * Techniques to gain more performance with less effort. * Saddle balancing and fitting tips. * Safety tools. * Riding and its relationship to aging, pregnancy, and lifestyles... ( would have bought the book just for that 1st "A" word in this phrase....) * Nutrition and dietary factors in daily riding and competitions. "The author takes us through the changing dynamics of women on horseback, arriving at a new approach to riding effectiveness. Women now represent over 80% of today's horse enthusiasts and riders. The techniques, equipment and teaching methods used with horses, however, have not moved in step with the growing involvement and influence of adult and young women... until now." That's just the stuff on the cover! Here's another reason why I bought the book... calorie expenditures: 120 lb female grooming a horse for 30 minutes =207 calories! galloping for 20 minutes =148 " trotting for 30 minutes =177 " walking for 10 minutes = 22 " Hey! this mythical creature expends 554 calories/hour!!! amazing! In comparison to to other high activity sports like real swimming, cross-country running, galloping is next. Then tennis, then HORSE-GROOMING. then trotting is down 2 more categories including medium to low impact aerobics and snow skiing! Walking is pretty low down on the list... just a bit lower, though than sweeping the floor! Shock! We are in a high calorie burning, high energy activity! Ok, that's all the sneak preview you get! There are many more surprises and new thoughts in here for you to stumble into and exclaim.. AHA! or Wow in a reverent tone!