Whether taking their first lessons, handling horses when visiting friends, or enjoying the glorious challenges of first-pony ownership, children need to learn more than just how to ride. When it comes to horses, the most important lessons begin on the ground, not only to ensure a young person's safety, but also to promote the fair and informed care of an animal so that he remains healthy and happy in their interactions, too. This highly illustrated, easy-to-use book is the most complete and correct guide available for horse-crazy kids and their families to learn basic horsemanship standards and responsibly apply them in the barn, in the arena, at home, and at competitions. Professional grooms and authors of the bestsellers World-Class Grooming for Horses and World-Class Braiding-Manes & Tails Cat Hill and Emma Ford are both lifelong horsewomen who have managed barns and strings of horses for top riders in all disciplines, including Olympians and World Champions. Since publishing their first book, they have traveled the country teaching clinics in proper horsemanship and grooming to aspiring young riders. Now they have put their wealth of experience to the page with over 400 professional color photos and clear, numbered steps that teach readers the following: - Catching, leading, and handling - Daily grooming - Tacking up - Post-riding or lesson care - Tack cleaning - Barn chores - Packing for shows and competitions - Bathing, clipping, and braiding - Bonding and playing - Games and goals for those who don't want to show - And more! With cool tips and tricks they've learned over the years, and an emphasis on safety and detail without detracting from the fun of being around horses, Hill and Ford have created an instant classic-a much-needed resource that will not only encourage young readers to become complete horse people as well as riders, it will preserve and pass along the management skills honed over a lifetime in barns held to the highest standards. Hands down, this book is the must-have starter-kit for every young rider.