89 books like Classical Dressage

By Anja Beran,

Here are 89 books that Classical Dressage fans have personally recommended if you like Classical Dressage. Shepherd is a community of 11,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of Black Beauty

M.J. Evans Author Of The Stallion and His Peculiar Boy

From my list on horses that teens will love.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am a life-long equestrian. I believe I was born with manure in my blood! I have always loved horses. I bought my own horse with my own money when I was thirteen and had to work to support him myself. I continue to own and ride horses more than fifty years later! I love competing in Dressage and riding the trails in the beautiful Colorado mountains. My interest in researching and writing historical horse stories grew out of my love of both horses and history.

M.J.'s book list on horses that teens will love

M.J. Evans Why did M.J. love this book?

Some books stay with you for a lifetime. Such is the case with Black Beauty for me.

This historical fiction novel (although it wasn’t “Historical” when it was written!”) is considered a classic because of its staying power and message. Anna Sewell’s work inspired the creation of the ASPCA because of the depictions of animal cruelty in the book.

Now, half a century later, it has inspired me to not only write historical fiction horse stories but I also chose to write in first person from the horse’s point of view the way Black Beauty is written.

By Anna Sewell, Kristen Guest (editor),

Why should I read it?

11 authors picked Black Beauty as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Continuously in print and translated into multiple languages since it was first published, Anna Sewell's Black Beauty is a classic work of children's literature and an important text in the fields of Victorian studies and animal studies. Writing to ""induce kindness, sympathy and an understanding treatment"", Sewell realistically documents the working conditions of Black Beauty, who moves down the social scale from a rural carriage horse to a delivery horse in London. Sewell makes visible and tangible the experience of animals who were often treated as if they were machines. Though she died shortly after it was published, Sewell's book…


Book cover of Don't Shoot the Dog: The Art of Teaching and Training

Stephen McGarvey Author Of Ignite a Shift: Engaging Minds, Guiding Emotions and Driving Behavior

From my list on the power of ideas and positive thinking.

Why am I passionate about this?

I wasn’t always a reader. Diagnosed with a learning disorder in elementary school, I hated reading and school. Eventually, I discovered my passion for psychology, neurolinguistics, and persuasion and influence, and have now become a lifelong reader! Through my boutique consulting firm Solutions In Mind, my colleagues and I have been coaching executive teams to make the changes required to improve sales, organizational behavior, and communication. In my latest book, Ignite a Shift, I equip readers to think about how they and those around them think, feel and do. With greater awareness you’ll be able to better establish and meet your goals and persuade and influence others to do the same. 

Stephen's book list on the power of ideas and positive thinking

Stephen McGarvey Why did Stephen love this book?

This best-selling book, from the incredibly talented Karen Pryor, looks at behavior through a scientific and practical lens. When it comes to animals and humans, we aren’t that different in terms of our behavior and how it can be corrected positively. Through encouraging reinforcement, we can learn new ways of taking in and dealing with conflict in a more constructive way. I have found the methods suggested in this book extremely beneficial and have successfully incorporated them in my own life. 

By Karen Pryor,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked Don't Shoot the Dog as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Karen Pryor’s clear and entertaining explanation of behavioral training methods made Don’t Shoot the Dog a bestselling classic with revolutionary insights into animal—and human—behavior.

In her groundbreaking approach to improving behavior, behavioral biologist Karen Pryor says, “Whatever the task, whether keeping a four-year-old quiet in public, housebreaking a puppy, coaching a team, or memorizing a poem, it will go fast, and better, and be more fun, if you know how to use reinforcement.”

Now Pryor clearly explains the underlying principles of behavioral training and reveals how this art can be applied to virtually any common situation. And best of all,…


Book cover of Centered Riding

Alexandra Kurland Author Of The Click That Teaches: A Step-By-Step Guide in Pictures

From my list on training horses.

Why am I passionate about this?

In 1998 I launched the rapidly growing field of clicker training for horses with the publication of Clicker Training for Your Horse, the first reference for clicker training in the horse world. When you come across a training method that is as kind, safe, effective, and fun as clicker training, it’s not something you want to keep to yourself. Clicker training needs to be shared and that’s what I have been doing for almost thirty years. Through my books, DVDs, clinics, online courses, conference presentations, blogs, and podcasts, I have been teaching people how to clicker train their horses. Together we are changing the way horses are trained.

Alexandra's book list on training horses

Alexandra Kurland Why did Alexandra love this book?

Prior to Centered Riding much of how riding was taught came from the cavalry. It was get tough or get out. Sally Swift changed that with her gentle approach to riding instruction. She introduced the horse world to the Alexander technique and the use of visualization. Instead of pushing riders through their fear, she helped them connect with their horses. She is a revolutionary thinker who transformed riding instruction.   

By Sally Swift, Jean Macfarland (illustrator), Mike Noble (photographer)

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Centered Riding as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Centered Riding is for those with little experience all the way up to world class. Precise illustrations and photographs never before used in riding books explain anatomy and image work to give mind and body new and relaxed approaches to the inner process of riding.

Widely known for her innovative teaching philosophy stressing body awareness, the value of "soft eyes," proper breathing, centering, and balance, Sally Swift has been a pioneering riding instructor for half a century. In book form for the first time, her methods enable horse and rider to achieve harmony, working together naturally, without pain.

Unlike traditional…


Book cover of The Dressage Seat: Achieving a Beautiful, Effective Position in Every Gait and Movement

Alexandra Kurland Author Of The Click That Teaches: A Step-By-Step Guide in Pictures

From my list on training horses.

Why am I passionate about this?

In 1998 I launched the rapidly growing field of clicker training for horses with the publication of Clicker Training for Your Horse, the first reference for clicker training in the horse world. When you come across a training method that is as kind, safe, effective, and fun as clicker training, it’s not something you want to keep to yourself. Clicker training needs to be shared and that’s what I have been doing for almost thirty years. Through my books, DVDs, clinics, online courses, conference presentations, blogs, and podcasts, I have been teaching people how to clicker train their horses. Together we are changing the way horses are trained.

Alexandra's book list on training horses

Alexandra Kurland Why did Alexandra love this book?

Anja Beran again shares her love of horses by helping us ride better.  

Thoughtless riding damages horses. It breaks their bodies and their spirits. But we can ride horses into soundness. We can bring back the sparkle in their eyes even as we help heal their bodies. The Dressage Seat will help you ride effectively and support the well-being of your horse.

By Anja Beran,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Dressage Seat as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

With stunningly beautiful photographs and clear descriptions, classical dressage authority Anja Beran breaks down the physical requirements of the rider's seat on the horse, as well as its responsibilities during various movements-from the gaits and paces to lateral work, lead changes, piaffe, passage, and pirouettes.

Beran provides a unique perspective on the use of breath when riding, citing the recommendations of a classically-trained opera singer who regularly works with Beran and her riding students to develop their deep breathing skills. 'A relaxed seat', Beran says, 'is never possible with restricted breathing'.

In addition, she explores the need for an improved…


Book cover of Working Trot

Genevieve Mckay Author Of Defining Gravity

From my list on about horse actually written by horse people.

Why am I passionate about this?

In addition to being a writer, I am an avid horse-person who has been obsessed with these amazing creatures my entire life. I was a pretty feral child so I spent my teen years riding bareback around the countryside, daydreaming about going to the Olympics or thwarting horse thieves or discovering a herd of Unicorns…the usual. I’ve worked at many barns, taken internships, volunteered, and have been lucky enough to own a few horses of my own over the years. The horse books I’m drawn to always have realistic protagonists who are also kind, empathic, and who understand how special and magical these animals are.  

Genevieve's book list on about horse actually written by horse people

Genevieve Mckay Why did Genevieve love this book?

This is a great novel about a young man who is deciding if he wants to dedicate the rest of his life to training dressage horses. He interns with his cousins who are professional horse trainers and gets a crash course in classical dressage. It follows the real triumphs and struggles of working with horses for a living as well as his personal journey to become a better rider and a stronger person. 

By Jessie Haas,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Working Trot as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 9, 10, 11, and 12.

What is this book about?

James MacLiesh shocks his conventional parents when he chooses to work with horses instead of going to college—can he make it happen?

Bucking his parents—and tradition—seventeen-year-old James MacLiesh decides he wants to be a horse trainer. When he arrives at his cousins’ farm, James enters a world completely different from that of his privileged, boarding-school upbringing. Not quite prepared for the rambling, ramshackle old house, he knows he made the right decision the minute he goes into the barn. The horses are magnificent. Ghazal, an obedient if aloof white stallion, is to be James’s first training project. But first, James…


Book cover of Misconceptions and Simple Truths in Dressage

Ingrid Edisen Author Of A Bit of Murder: The Dressage Queen's Guide to Murder Series

From my list on riding dressage horses.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have ridden horses for over sixty years. Regarding dressage riding specifically, I discovered that in the early 1980s and never looked back. The subject has held my attention since then in my work with my various horses. My preference has always been for classical dressage, not competition dressage. Any book that aims towards that is a winner for me. Formerly I wrote for a newspaper for twenty years, along with holding many other jobs in different professions. Now I write fiction based around the subject of the sport of dressage.

Ingrid's book list on riding dressage horses

Ingrid Edisen Why did Ingrid love this book?

This is a dense book but well worth the read. It goes into the history of how some decisions have been made about the regulation of dressage internationally. It gives an excellent analysis of how classical dressage became the goal and should always remain so. It is more of an “overview” book on dressage rather than a “how to” but I have enjoyed reading it for background. One particularly interesting segment explained how modern day dressage relegates the lower level riders to use snaffle bits and how this decision came to be. There are not many books out there that focus just on this aspect. That is why I appreciate this one in particular.

By H. L. M. Van Schaik,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Misconceptions and Simple Truths in Dressage as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

1989 J. A. ALLEN PUBLISHING HARDCOVER


Book cover of Truth in the Teaching of Master Nuno Oliveira

Ingrid Edisen Author Of A Bit of Murder: The Dressage Queen's Guide to Murder Series

From my list on riding dressage horses.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have ridden horses for over sixty years. Regarding dressage riding specifically, I discovered that in the early 1980s and never looked back. The subject has held my attention since then in my work with my various horses. My preference has always been for classical dressage, not competition dressage. Any book that aims towards that is a winner for me. Formerly I wrote for a newspaper for twenty years, along with holding many other jobs in different professions. Now I write fiction based around the subject of the sport of dressage.

Ingrid's book list on riding dressage horses

Ingrid Edisen Why did Ingrid love this book?

This book unlocks several secrets held by Nuno Oliveira not only in its text but also with the many photographs. The author studied with the master for over a decade and it shows in this book. A must for any aficionado of dressage. I have used the tips in this book to help me with some of the movements such as proper weighting of the rider during dressage movements such as half pass. There are scant videos of Nuno riding and performing so this book fills out my curiosity about this man. That is why I am glad I own it.

By Eleanor Russell,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Truth in the Teaching of Master Nuno Oliveira as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This great book is the next in Xenophon Press’ series by the students of Master Nuno Oliveira. Eleanor Russell studied with Oliveira for over ten years. For an entire year, she studied horsemanship with her stallion, Victorieux in Avessada, Portugal. During this time, she took dutiful notes of her master’s teachings and faithfully recorded quotations of his lessons and discussions. Ms. Russell was permitted to photograph him in his daily work on average horses. This book is filled with candid, un-posed photographs seldom before seen.  The lessons are practical and concrete. This volume illustrates daily life at the stables and…


Book cover of The Dressage Chronicles

Genevieve Mckay Author Of Defining Gravity

From my list on about horse actually written by horse people.

Why am I passionate about this?

In addition to being a writer, I am an avid horse-person who has been obsessed with these amazing creatures my entire life. I was a pretty feral child so I spent my teen years riding bareback around the countryside, daydreaming about going to the Olympics or thwarting horse thieves or discovering a herd of Unicorns…the usual. I’ve worked at many barns, taken internships, volunteered, and have been lucky enough to own a few horses of my own over the years. The horse books I’m drawn to always have realistic protagonists who are also kind, empathic, and who understand how special and magical these animals are.  

Genevieve's book list on about horse actually written by horse people

Genevieve Mckay Why did Genevieve love this book?

This true-to-life series follows dressage rider, Lizzy, who gives up her job, her boyfriend, and her whole life in order to become a working student with a top trainer. It has a great cast of authentic characters, both humans and horses, and the training parts are spot on. A very enjoyable series.

By Karen McGoldrick,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Dressage Chronicles as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

You know what happens to all those girls who are just crazy about horses?
Once they discover boys, the horses are history.
Or maybe not.
For Lizzy, and others like her, no boy, no man who knows what’s good for him, speaks the unspeakable.
“It’s me or the horse.”
It’s no contest.
And so Lizzy snips the threads that hold her, however tenuously, to a conventional life, and begins her journey into the world of horse sports.
She signs on as a working student for dressage superstar Margot Fanning, heading to south Florida with her six year old mare, for…


Book cover of Defining Gravity

Laura Hesse Author Of One Frosty Christmas

From my list on middle-grade horse stories for horse-crazy fans.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been passionate about horses and adventure since I was a little girl. I’ve owned many horses over the years, and they all forever live on in the pages of my books. I wrote my book in 2001 while recovering from major surgery. The story was inspired by a young lady I met while volunteering with Nanaimo Therapeutic Riding and a frostbitten Mustang that arrived at Thunderbird Show Park en route from Wyoming to northern British Columbia. I lost my father to cancer a year before the book’s release. In many ways, Hannah Storey’s learning to cope with loss is based on my own. Life is like that, though, isn’t it?

Laura's book list on middle-grade horse stories for horse-crazy fans

Laura Hesse Why did Laura love this book?

I can sympathize with Astrid, the fat kid who just couldn’t fit in because I was the opposite of Astrid growing up; I was the skinny kid that everyone made jokes about. I isolated myself in my room, doodling pictures of horses and dreaming of owning my own horse one day.

Like Astrid, I found my way to a local barn via a connection to my mother, learned how to care for horses, and finally found my dream horse. I competed at horse shows as well, not getting many ribbons but finding absolute joy in bonding spirit to spirit with my horse and making new friends who had the same dreams as I did. Every cloud does have a silver lining.

By Genevieve Mckay,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Defining Gravity as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Astrid never breaks the rules; she’s much too terrified of her overbearing father to step out of line. He controls her weight, her friends, and even her career path. And he doesn’t approve of anyone in their family thinking for themselves.

When one impulsive decision ends in disaster, Astrid is grounded for the summer, forced to put her archery career on hold and take a menial job cleaning horse stalls at a posh dressage barn. It takes a little horse named Quarry and a quirky cast of characters to banish Astrid's unhappiness and show her that she is worth something.…


Book cover of Dressage Formula

Ingrid Edisen Author Of A Bit of Murder: The Dressage Queen's Guide to Murder Series

From my list on riding dressage horses.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have ridden horses for over sixty years. Regarding dressage riding specifically, I discovered that in the early 1980s and never looked back. The subject has held my attention since then in my work with my various horses. My preference has always been for classical dressage, not competition dressage. Any book that aims towards that is a winner for me. Formerly I wrote for a newspaper for twenty years, along with holding many other jobs in different professions. Now I write fiction based around the subject of the sport of dressage.

Ingrid's book list on riding dressage horses

Ingrid Edisen Why did Ingrid love this book?

The author was a student of the renowned Egon von Neindorff. This book gives clear descriptions and a step-by-step guide on how to achieve the lightness and impulsion dressage riders seek. It explains how a younger horse’s exercises should differ from a more seasoned one. The explanation of an ideal seat is par none. I found the photos used as examples to be clear. The author uses bullet dots to make his key points and this enhances the importance and clarity of his descriptions. I can look at the short lists for critical pieces of info and use them as I work my own horses. 

By Erik Herbermann,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Dressage Formula as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"Dressage Formula" was first published in 1980 and has been constantly in demand ever since. It has now been completely revised and extended for the third time and is presented in the same clear, easy-to-read format that has helped to make it one of the most consistently popular and widely quoted books on the subject of dressage in print today. Based on the principles of the classical school, the author covers both the aesthetic and practical aspects of riding and training in order to encourage everyone who rides, whether professional or amateur, to obtain maximum pleasure and education from their…


5 book lists we think you will like!

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