For centuries horses have been trained in hand within the classical schools of riding, yet today work in hand is often forgotten, set aside as unimportant, or thought to be too time-consuming by modern trainers. This is unfortunate because there is much to teach horses from the ground.
German trainer Richard Hinrichs, an acknowledged expert on schooling in hand, presents his training program showing how schooling from the ground builds trust, obedience, and balance in the horse. He clearly demonstrates that in-hand work is an excellent way of supporting and complementing work under saddle and can be especially helpful for riders striving to achieve the higher-level movements for dressage competition.
Richard Hinrichs demonstrates how the use of reins, whip, voice, and body language can encourage voluntary cooperation from the horse and allow him to develop his balance and confidence without the added complications of a rider's weight. The book is filled with clear explanations and plentiful color photos of the necessary equipment and techniques for schooling in hand: aids and their application; work on the longe; long reining; suppling and collection; lateral movements- shoulder-in, travers, renvers, and half-pass; flying changes and pirouette; piaffe and passage; the Spanish walk; and airs above the ground-pesade, levade, courbette, and capriole.
A thorough reading of this book will provide ample proof that there are many different ways of training within the system of classical equitation. As Brigadier Professor Kurt Albrecht, Director of the Spanish Riding School from 1974 to 1985 attests, Richard Hinrichs has included much valuable theoretical knowledge on schooling in hand that has also been well tried in practice. He goes on to say, "The book is not only worthwhile for purposes of study and expanding knowledge, but it is also a source that we can use with great pleasure to achieve happiness as riders. It deserves to become a valuable part of present day equestrian literature."