"The Book of the Horse" opens up the wonderful world of horses to a new generation of horse riders and owners. It explains the basics of learning to ride, helps the novice to choose the right clothing, details the joys (and warns against the pitfalls) of owning one's own horse and enumerates the wonderful variety of activities to be enjoyed in the company of this most obliging of four-legged friends. Whether you want to hack in the countryside, or try your hand over show jumps; perform a respectable dressage test, or face up to the rigours of endurance riding; fly round a cross-country course, or sample the quieter pleasures of the show ring, "The Book of the Horse" covers every aspect, from stable management and equine fitness to equipment and equine transportation. There is also a section featuring great places to ride, and a chapter on equestrian sporting excellence.