Secrets of a Riding Teacher reviews
“People’s names have been changed to protect the guilty. Horses’ names have been changed too, but mainly they were innocent.”
If you enjoy exploring the world of equestrian e-books, we just know you’re going to LOVE Yvonne Saar’s new book titled ‘Secrets of a Riding Teacher: Tales from behind the scenes.’ Comprising 15 delightfully written short stories based on Yvonne’s real life experiences as a riding teacher, this e-book is at times both laugh out loud funny and intriguingly enlightening. If you’ve ever wondered how some horse people can seemingly turn disasters into successes or if you’ve ever had to rescue yourself and those around you from bungled or mishandled situations, you’ll be hooked with this e-book! Secrets of a Riding Teacher; Tales from behind the scenes invites horse lovers of all ages to look a little deeper into their relationship with horses and perhaps, to even discover some of our horse’s deepest secrets.
HW Hoof Score (out of 4): 3 1/3 hooves!
Horsewyse Magazine (Australia – August 2013)
This fun collection of short stories from a compassionate, practical, and eminently sensible riding instructor was an absolute delight to read. Yvonne tells it like it is – and I guarantee every reader will relate to the stories she has to tell. With a sense of humour that is lacking in most instructors, Yvonne recounts tales of the varying ‘styles’ of instruction from her earliest days of learning to ride, and throughout her career as a riding instructor and horse journalist.
I don’t want to give too much away, but you will see in the characters in these stories a resemblance to someone you will have met in your horse world.
Yvonne Saar hails from the U.K., where she grew up from a horse mad girl to become a qualified riding teacher and a writer for horse magazines. She describes herself as a slow learner – she was in her forties before she started winning at Riding Club event level. British Horse Society qualified, Yvonne worked with racehorses in the U.K, show jumpers in Switzerland and ran a Riding Holiday Centre on the west coast of Ireland.
Stable Magazine (Australia – August 2013)
‘A terrific read.’
Secrets of a Riding Teacher is one of these books you find yourself smiling at when reading. So much of it just makes sense. From the characters introduced along the way, who every individual (whether experienced or novice) in the horse world will be able to identify with to the scenarios encountered and the horses experienced. I’m sure many have met with a ‘killer horse’ such as that in chapter 7 and the overzealous mother in chapter 1!
I particularly enjoyed that I found myself learning without even realising. The author clearly has a gift for passing on knowledge in a non authoritative and relaxed manner. There was also much comfort to be gained in hearing how the author herself struggled for some years with her riding and the role that the individuals, the horses and the establishments she met with over the years have shaped her.
Her time as an equestrian journalist proved inspirational for the author and as such encouraging for the reader, as Yvonne Saar narrates how this spurred her on to start winning one day events at riding club level in her mid 40s. I personally find this fortifying as I knock on 40’s door. Fascinating also, is the huge difference in manner, attitude and general ethos of the various high profile equestrians she interviews.
This is a book I would wholeheartedly recommend to others. Its spans the years and the country and introduces an array of different horses. It is a must read for anyone with a love of these noble four legged creatures.
Ann Smith (Events Magazine – Issue 90 – August 2013)
‘A joy for horse lovers to read’
A selection of short-stories which any horse lover or rider would enjoy to read. Yvonne certainly knows and understands the horse-world with her tales of overbearing competitive mums, fat teenagers with equally fat horses and the fearful riding instructors. This collection of short-stories will bring a smile to your face as you recognise, and even empathise with, many of the characters. It stirred in me a memory of my first riding school lesson as a child; my apprehension towards the instructor mixed with excitement of my “fix” of being around horses. This collection is ideal for the experienced horse rider who has seen it all before, and also for the beginner just starting their journey into the world of horses
Katherine Bolton-Parris (Britanny)
‘'Evokes memories of my riding lessons’
A fun book with lots of short stories that bring back long buried memories. In particular, the fearsome image of Mrs S. my own riding teacher. At the tender age of 6, I was only ever addressed, at full bellow, as "On Silver."
Kim (Western Isles of Scotland)
Bought this as a Christmas present for my niece who loves horseriding and is thinking of training as a riding teacher. She told me she loved the book and got lots of useful information from it. The stories are diverse and so genuine, I've read a couple of them myself and am quite impressed. Definitely buying Yvonne's other book for my niece's birthday!
Amazon Reader
Review of Get Ready to Ride
Having just finished reading ‘Get Ready to Ride’ by Yvonne Saar, I find myself (despite the awful weather) bursting with enthusiasm to get in the saddle and put into practice what I have learnt from this fantastic read. There are many books out there on the subject of riding, and specifically learning to ride, but I was refreshed by the different approach I found in this book. It is applicable to all level of riders, teaching that huge improvements can be attained, whatever your particular concern or issue simply from some minor changes to both mind and body.
As a fan of Pilates, I was delighted to read about the benefits to the horse rider from practicing Pilates or Yoga. ‘Suppleness, body control, co-ordination and learning to relax in the right way can all be achieved through yoga’. The importance of being aware of the effect of the rider’s body and positioning on the horse together with the ability to adjust the placing of one specific part of the body are crucial in improving ones riding and the author details the benefits of yoga and Pilates over any other exercise in achieving this. Specific exercises most applicable and therefore beneficial to the horse rider are discussed in detail and are accompanied by pictures so the reader can practice even if he or she is unable to attend a class
Riding should be fun, and this book embraces that statement like none other I have read. I thoroughly enjoyed the ‘on-board’ exercises. Some of these exercises I was familiar with, albeit from many years passed. Again the photographic illustrations are there to keep the reader correct and the exercises are categorised into easy, intermediate and advanced.
Few riders would claim to have never experienced fear yet the subject is one that few books seem to cover in any great detail, surprisingly as this is something that affects a rider’s ability and enjoyment no end. Get, Ready to Ride devotes an entire chapter to fear and indeed the author narrates her own experience and how she overcame her fears.
Another issue often not discussed, but covered in depth in Get Ready to Ride is the propensity for us humans to believe that animals think as we do and what effect this has on both the horse and the owner/rider. Horse psychology is explained through analogies that all horse owners and riders will be familiar with and without over complication. The reader is also asked to apply the ‘nurture or nature’ argument to equines as we would to humans without discounting the traits of specific breeds.
This is a hugely enjoyable, easy read yet informative book that I encourage all equine enthusiasts to consider reading. It is the second Yvonne Saar book I have read and I must say I look forward to many more.
Ann Smith
“People’s names have been changed to protect the guilty. Horses’ names have been changed too, but mainly they were innocent.”
If you enjoy exploring the world of equestrian e-books, we just know you’re going to LOVE Yvonne Saar’s new book titled ‘Secrets of a Riding Teacher: Tales from behind the scenes.’ Comprising 15 delightfully written short stories based on Yvonne’s real life experiences as a riding teacher, this e-book is at times both laugh out loud funny and intriguingly enlightening. If you’ve ever wondered how some horse people can seemingly turn disasters into successes or if you’ve ever had to rescue yourself and those around you from bungled or mishandled situations, you’ll be hooked with this e-book! Secrets of a Riding Teacher; Tales from behind the scenes invites horse lovers of all ages to look a little deeper into their relationship with horses and perhaps, to even discover some of our horse’s deepest secrets.
HW Hoof Score (out of 4): 3 1/3 hooves!
Horsewyse Magazine (Australia – August 2013)
This fun collection of short stories from a compassionate, practical, and eminently sensible riding instructor was an absolute delight to read. Yvonne tells it like it is – and I guarantee every reader will relate to the stories she has to tell. With a sense of humour that is lacking in most instructors, Yvonne recounts tales of the varying ‘styles’ of instruction from her earliest days of learning to ride, and throughout her career as a riding instructor and horse journalist.
I don’t want to give too much away, but you will see in the characters in these stories a resemblance to someone you will have met in your horse world.
Yvonne Saar hails from the U.K., where she grew up from a horse mad girl to become a qualified riding teacher and a writer for horse magazines. She describes herself as a slow learner – she was in her forties before she started winning at Riding Club event level. British Horse Society qualified, Yvonne worked with racehorses in the U.K, show jumpers in Switzerland and ran a Riding Holiday Centre on the west coast of Ireland.
Stable Magazine (Australia – August 2013)
‘A terrific read.’
Secrets of a Riding Teacher is one of these books you find yourself smiling at when reading. So much of it just makes sense. From the characters introduced along the way, who every individual (whether experienced or novice) in the horse world will be able to identify with to the scenarios encountered and the horses experienced. I’m sure many have met with a ‘killer horse’ such as that in chapter 7 and the overzealous mother in chapter 1!
I particularly enjoyed that I found myself learning without even realising. The author clearly has a gift for passing on knowledge in a non authoritative and relaxed manner. There was also much comfort to be gained in hearing how the author herself struggled for some years with her riding and the role that the individuals, the horses and the establishments she met with over the years have shaped her.
Her time as an equestrian journalist proved inspirational for the author and as such encouraging for the reader, as Yvonne Saar narrates how this spurred her on to start winning one day events at riding club level in her mid 40s. I personally find this fortifying as I knock on 40’s door. Fascinating also, is the huge difference in manner, attitude and general ethos of the various high profile equestrians she interviews.
This is a book I would wholeheartedly recommend to others. Its spans the years and the country and introduces an array of different horses. It is a must read for anyone with a love of these noble four legged creatures.
Ann Smith (Events Magazine – Issue 90 – August 2013)
‘A joy for horse lovers to read’
A selection of short-stories which any horse lover or rider would enjoy to read. Yvonne certainly knows and understands the horse-world with her tales of overbearing competitive mums, fat teenagers with equally fat horses and the fearful riding instructors. This collection of short-stories will bring a smile to your face as you recognise, and even empathise with, many of the characters. It stirred in me a memory of my first riding school lesson as a child; my apprehension towards the instructor mixed with excitement of my “fix” of being around horses. This collection is ideal for the experienced horse rider who has seen it all before, and also for the beginner just starting their journey into the world of horses
Katherine Bolton-Parris (Britanny)
‘'Evokes memories of my riding lessons’
A fun book with lots of short stories that bring back long buried memories. In particular, the fearsome image of Mrs S. my own riding teacher. At the tender age of 6, I was only ever addressed, at full bellow, as "On Silver."
Kim (Western Isles of Scotland)
Bought this as a Christmas present for my niece who loves horseriding and is thinking of training as a riding teacher. She told me she loved the book and got lots of useful information from it. The stories are diverse and so genuine, I've read a couple of them myself and am quite impressed. Definitely buying Yvonne's other book for my niece's birthday!
Amazon Reader
Review of Get Ready to Ride
Having just finished reading ‘Get Ready to Ride’ by Yvonne Saar, I find myself (despite the awful weather) bursting with enthusiasm to get in the saddle and put into practice what I have learnt from this fantastic read. There are many books out there on the subject of riding, and specifically learning to ride, but I was refreshed by the different approach I found in this book. It is applicable to all level of riders, teaching that huge improvements can be attained, whatever your particular concern or issue simply from some minor changes to both mind and body.
As a fan of Pilates, I was delighted to read about the benefits to the horse rider from practicing Pilates or Yoga. ‘Suppleness, body control, co-ordination and learning to relax in the right way can all be achieved through yoga’. The importance of being aware of the effect of the rider’s body and positioning on the horse together with the ability to adjust the placing of one specific part of the body are crucial in improving ones riding and the author details the benefits of yoga and Pilates over any other exercise in achieving this. Specific exercises most applicable and therefore beneficial to the horse rider are discussed in detail and are accompanied by pictures so the reader can practice even if he or she is unable to attend a class
Riding should be fun, and this book embraces that statement like none other I have read. I thoroughly enjoyed the ‘on-board’ exercises. Some of these exercises I was familiar with, albeit from many years passed. Again the photographic illustrations are there to keep the reader correct and the exercises are categorised into easy, intermediate and advanced.
Few riders would claim to have never experienced fear yet the subject is one that few books seem to cover in any great detail, surprisingly as this is something that affects a rider’s ability and enjoyment no end. Get, Ready to Ride devotes an entire chapter to fear and indeed the author narrates her own experience and how she overcame her fears.
Another issue often not discussed, but covered in depth in Get Ready to Ride is the propensity for us humans to believe that animals think as we do and what effect this has on both the horse and the owner/rider. Horse psychology is explained through analogies that all horse owners and riders will be familiar with and without over complication. The reader is also asked to apply the ‘nurture or nature’ argument to equines as we would to humans without discounting the traits of specific breeds.
This is a hugely enjoyable, easy read yet informative book that I encourage all equine enthusiasts to consider reading. It is the second Yvonne Saar book I have read and I must say I look forward to many more.
Ann Smith
