As an avid reader, I'm constantly on the look out for a new book to read. Recently I was on Amazon.com (my drug of choice) ordering some new books. I did a search for horse related books, thinking maybe I'd find some great book about the evolution of the species, or something about how equines facilitated human rise to industrialization.
In all my searching I noticed something. Apart from general knowledge and feel good books about horses/horsemanship, there are far more books about Dressage than any other equestrian sport. Is this evidence of the intricate nature of the sport? Are these books out there for us because we don't understand the grand scheme of dressage? Is dressage more suitable for the written word than say, reining?
I theorize that dressage riders, by nature, are more curious individuals than most. Curious in the traditional sense, as well as in the Alice-in-Wonderland "curiouser and curiouser" sort of way. Dressage demands a lot from the rider. Not only must you achieve the movements, and paces, but you must do them with finesse. Rough and rowdy, despite it's militaristic origins is not dressage. We're not merely perched upon our beasts, we ride every last step from beginning to end. Dressage as a sport practically demands curiosity from its riders. Without it, none of us would have ever figured out how to do any of this stuff!
I guess we really do need the help. We can spend our entire lifetime riding this sport, working with our horses, and with our last breath moan about how we never did have the timing quite right for those damn tempis!
Reader Question: What is your favorite Dressage book?
