Books

Rip on the jacket. 

The rider's contact with the horse's back is usually made through the saddle, and it is therefore easy to forget that underneath the saddle there is living tissue.  Throughout the ages the horse's back and his willingness to carry a rider upon it have been taken for granted, so that even today symptoms of back-related problems are either unnoticed altogether or dismissed as eccentric behaviour.

In this book, Sara Wyche explains how the horse's back works, and explores the ways in which it is affected by the horse's relationship with man - especially the ride.r  Highly accessible text and supplementary illustrations combine to provide the reader with a profound insight into what can go wrong and why, how to recognize problems, and how to prevent them from occurring in the first place.  Sources, causes and symptoms of pain are described, and the various methods of treatment and therapy - both orthodox and complementary - are discussed.  There is practical guidance on rehabilitation, remedial exercise and training; and there is advice on general 'back-friendly' management and the other factors directly contributing to the health of the horse's back, such as the correct fitting of tack and good care of the feet.

Written for all horse owners - whether or not their horses have experienced back problems - Understanding the Horse's Back is both an essential handbook and a fascinating appraisal of the unique relationship that exists between horse and rider.

Hardback.