The aim of The Book of the Horse is to open up the wonderful world of horses to this 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 enjoy a simple hack in the countryside, or to try your hand over show jumps; to perform a respectable dressage test, or face up to the rigours of endurance riding; to 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. For those wishing to see something of the world from the back of a horse there is a section featuring great places to ride, while the chapter on equestrian sporting excellence provides a guide to where to see the equestrian stars in action.