Reflections on Equestrian Art

It is a gem. A lovely little book full of lovely little quotes from a grand master. Book could actually be useful to the aspiring horseperson if more of those quotes were illustrated with photographs of Nuno Oliviera working his horses at all phases of schooling. There are 16 plates that start with the horse at liberty and immediately jump to a horse in hand at the levade and go on in that vein. The process and conversation between horse and rider that has to happen before the horse at liberty becomes the horse that works in hand is what I am interested in. Unfortunately the process of schooling is left to the rider's imagination. Since humans are prone to imagining that they can force a horse to perform, the book's lack is to the horse's detriment.

Nuno Oliveira also created a generation of great teachers, who have gone on to write about Nuno's work.Case in point, Michel Henriquet's 30 YEARS WITH MASTER NUNO OLIVEIRA  30 Years with Master Nuno Oliveira: Correspondence, Photographs, Notes .Like this great, inspirational book, Henriquet's book is filled with quotes from Oliveira and lesson plans.Dom Diogo de Bragance, another Portuguese student of Oliveira's has written a very important work entitled:DRESSAGE IN THE FRENCH TRADITION  DRESSAGE IN THE FRENCH TRADITION by Dom Diogo de Bragança All of these books are must reads.

If the reader is a serious rider, Nuno's words will mean something. Clearly, he loved riding and worked at it. He offers so many points worth pondering.

This is not a "how to " book, but a philosophy about the nature of the horse as it applies to training, especially at the "high school" levels, and the relationship between horse and rider/trainer in the process. At the same time, the information has application to riders and trainers at every level and for every discipline. It is clear and concise, easy to read and to re-read.

If you are looking for hands on exercises this book is not for you. But if you are looking for deeper understanding on how to think and feel when riding - this is one of the best ones. For many riders today riding is either sport or time to relax. Then there are a few serious students of equestrian art. The ones that ride to achieve unity with their horse, to submerse themselves in the beauty of deep understanding between their equine partner and the rider. If you are looking for a philosophical approach you just found it. A true jewel for the rider that wants to dig deeper and find meaning beyond the sport in his/her riding.

Love nuno

A small book with a lot of good information!

The quality of the photos was rather poor and let the book down.

This os beautifully written and translated. It gives a wonderful narrative and description of the late, great Nuno Oliveira's techniques, words of infinite knowledge, and love for his horses. He is legendary. This book is concise, and one you will re-read many times over!

Succinct, yet great in it's impact. This small book of 'reflections' is just that ...a collection of Nuno Oliveira's thoughts on how horses respond to thoughtful, gentle and sensitive cues from their riders. This book has become my inspiration, and is light years away from some of the more mechanical and heavy handed approaches of certain moderm dressage 'experts'.Nuno is a believer that one should strive to read, meditate AND ride in order to become a worthy partner for such a noble animal as a horse. This book is beautiful, although if one is concerned solely with chasing dressage ribbons then some of the more 'mechanical' modern trainers might suit one better. One has only to view historical footage of Nuno riding, to appreciate how softly and willingly his horses work with him.Nuno is indeed a true artist and a lover of the horse.

Master Oliviera's reflections are delightful, thoughtful and full of compassion for the horse. I do not think any owner should be without it personally.In this day where equestrianism has forgotten about the living animal we ask to bear us, where we treat them as machines, here is the voice of humanity, reason and understanding. It will make you think about your relationship with your horse. I have read it feeling guilty at times for when I lost patience with my horse but I don't have the same problems since I started following the master's way.Equestrianism is an art, not a sport.

A fantastic, insightful read. Not knowing too much about this "great one" it was fantastic to read his thoughts on horsemanship and the art of riding.It was amazing to think this man had such a will with the nature of horses and could get them to do things great horsemen of today can only can dream of.This Master is so right with his treatment and respect of the horse and I personally think they should make this book even more indepth and everyone who rides should be given a copy to read.

Master Nuno words need time to be digested. Take your time. I advise to read also the book form Michel henriquet "30 years with Master Nuno de Oliveira", through their exchanges of letters and Mr. Michel's comments it is easier to understand the advises