In this invaluable step-by-step guide to basic schooling, the authors acknowledge that not every horse is perfect and that when training it is important to take account of individual characteristics, both mental and physical, and to develop a programme that is both practical and achievable. The authors also stress that all riding is training and the horse cannot be expected to do what is required of him if he is given confused and contradictory signals. The onus is upon the rider to adopt the correct posture and apply the aids with care and accuracy at all times. To this end, Martin Diggle's intelligent and illuminating text together with Maggie Raynor's accurate and inspirational artwork will assist the reader to discover the best way to train his or her particular horse up to the requirements of basic dressage tests; the acknowledged route to any specialized discipline. Whether the aim is to compete, or simply to enhance the pleasures of recreational riding, this attractive book will both delight and inform anyone wishing to develop a successful relationship between horse and rider.