Description
Book Synopsis When owning, training, riding, and showing horses, there is a certain "look" to which one aspires. World-class "turnout"--a horse in peak condition, perfectly coiffed and luminous with health, outfitted with gleaming and well-fit tack appropriate for his sport--can take your breath away. And while it can certainly play a significant role in a competitive rider's success, it is just as appealing to have any horse "groomed to the nines," whether he's headed for an afternoon lesson or just out on the trail. Achieving this superior look is not just about clean tack, shiny brass, spotless stockings, or perfect braids. The most important steps are in the day-to-day nitty-gritty of grooming and caring for the horse: noticing "something not-quite-right" about the way the horse looks or moves before it becomes "something wrong"; brushing and combing and trimming a little every day so the horse's skin and coat remain healthy; knowing how to prepare a horse properly for training, and how to cool him down afterward. Now, two of the best professional grooms in the business share their trade secrets, with over 1200 color photographs accompanying the ultimate modern-day guide for all riders who want their horses to look and feel their best. Review Quotes "[T]op grooms Cat Hill and Emma Ford ... demonstrate how to clean the horse from nose to tail; wrap, clip, braid, and ship him; prepare him for competition; and care for him after work or showing so he is rested and ready to do it all again."-- New York Horse "It's all there in one spiral-bound book, making it a great resource for experienced horsemen and novices alike, and it should be considered required reading for those looking into working student or groom positions. ... Whether you're looking for instructions on how to do hunter braids, wrap a leg properly, or adjust a figure-eight noseband, you can be sure Ford and Hill have done it thousands of times, and they're eager to share their knowledge."-- Chronicle of the Horse "Emma Ford and Cat Hill have taken their careers as professional grooms to another level. The pride they take in their work and the skill they exhibit in both keeping horses at home and preparing them for competition are unparalleled. We can all learn from them and be better horsemen for it."-- Phillip Dutton , 5-time Olympic equestrian with 2 Gold medals "What a wonderful book! What the authors have done here is absolutely tops. It doesn't matter your discipline--eventing, dressage, hunters, jumpers, or even Western--you'll find invaluable information here. And there's something to learn whatever your level--novice, professional, or anywhere in between. World-Class Grooming for Horses is so needed--it is the only book out there like it. Anyone can benefit from it, and I highly recommend it."-- Jeff Cook , hunter/jumper trainer "I so enjoyed reading such a thoroughly detailed book on the grooming and care of the valuable show horse. This book truly explains how one demonstrates impeccable horsemanship!"-- Lisa Wilcox , former US Dressage Team member (2002-2004) and 2003 European Championships Individual Silver medalist "World-class equestrian sports rely on excellent horse care and horsemanship. This comprehensive guide by two grooms at the top of the industry provides the foundation needed to create a quality horse care program."-- Clark Shipley , professional groom "In World-Class Grooming for Horses , we learn techniques for wrapping legs, bandaging tails, adding quarter marks, and polishing the metal on our bridles. But we also meet two conscientious and supremely motivated horse people who put the needs of the horse first in their own work, and do their best to show us how to do the same."-- Silva Martin , US Dressage Team member "This guide to daily care and competition, with more than 1,200 photos, is enlivened by the authors' anecdotes, pro tips, and 'barn gossip' sidebars."-- Lone Star Horse Report " This book is a classic staple for any rider looking to compete or any horse owner wanting to expand on their grooming skills. Cat and Emma are so free and forthcoming with their knowledge, skills developed over a lifetime of grooming at the very top levels of horse sport. Any grooming or day-to-day care issue you can think of is covered thoroughly in this book." -- Heels Down Media If you go to horse shows and don't employ a team a grooms, or if you care for your own horses in any way shape or form, this book is your bible. From clipping to braiding to cooling a horse down properly to taking vital signs to choosing studs to traveling--this book covers everything related to horse care. It's chock full of fantastic tips and advice from, well, world class grooms. They've been there, they've done that, and this book contains all of the wisdom they've accrued over the years. There are tons of photos that help clearly explain how to do things and what it should look like. A grooming book might sound kind of silly as a basic premise, but World Class Grooming isn't just a grooming book, it's a complete care guide and has so many great tips that I've never seen anywhere else. -- the900dollarfacebookpony.com About the Author Cat Hill grew up in upstate New York on a working farm. Her first clear memory is of the day her parents got her a pony for her fifth birthday. She grew up on that pony, who was followed by a series of Arabian show horses. In college, she started riding show hunters through the Intercollegiate Horse Show Team at the University of Geneseo. After receiving her degree, she followed her love of horses to Ireland. Upon returning to the States, Cat spent time as a working student for a top Grand Prix Dressage Rider, a winter working the Winter Equestrian Festival for a Grand Prix Showjumping rider, and moved on to manage a AA Hunter barn. More recently she began freelancing as a groom in every discipline. Throughout the years she has worked at almost every type of competition, from the local fair to the Pan American Games. Emma Ford originated from North Devon England and was brought up in the hunt field with her dad as Master of the Foxhounds. Emma was raised surrounded by horses. She grew up in the Pony Club system, receiving her "B" designation and culminating with jumping at the Horse of the Year Show in 1991. After completing her BS at the University of Wales she moved to the United States to follow her passion with horses. She has groomed at almost every four-star event in the world, and has been a member of the U.S. Eventing Team at multiple Olympic, World, and Pan American Games. Throughout the years, in addition to eventing, Emma has had the opportunity to turn horses out at many upper level show-jumping competitions including the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington Florida as well as work for a promising young dressage rider at many upper level dressage shows. Jessica Dailey is the owner of Jess Lynn Photography, located in the picturesque Finger Lakes Region of Upstate New York. Her work includes commercial, event, landscape, and portrait photography.
