Fine Riding: Blending Classical Riding and Equitation Science

Equitation Science together with classical riding is today probably the most humane, effective, and practical way of training and enjoying the horse, competitive or not. To avoid getting involved is to accede to the status quo. Our horses deserve better.
Sharon E. Cregier, Ph.D., FIASH (Hon., Edin.), founding member of Equine Behaviour Forum

In precise, practical language, Fine Riding describes how to blend the principles of classical riding with the modern findings of Equitation Science, demonstrating how to put the principles into practice when training and riding horses. The book encompasses the author’s lifelong background in authentic classical riding and a 17-year study and practice of Equitation Science. It presents the best of the old with the best of the new, resulting in a unique and rational blend of principles, clearly explained, that enables and encourages readers to train, ride and care for their horses truly effectively and humanely.

Applicable to riding of all schools of thought, from hacking to racing, including jumping, McBane’s method is more than simply another ’system’ of riding. It applies the results of rigorous scientific studies to the historical, classical training and riding of horses in an ethical, humane and effective way, explaining the principles in such a way that readers will feel able to put it into effect themselves. This book will encourage horse owners to serve their horses with renewed understanding and commitment.

Susan McBane started riding at four years of age at a small, local riding school which taught correct classical methods. On the owner’s retirement, she transferred to conventional riding schools with very different attitudes and methods. McBane bought her own horse at age 20 and stopped competing because of the clash of principles. In 1978 she founded, with clinical psychologist and competition horse breeder Dr Moyra Williams, the Equine Behaviour Study Circle, later the Equine Behaviour Forum, which ran for 41 years. She had and shared other horses but in the 1980s began part-time training with Desi Lorent, a long-time friend and pupil of Nuno Oliveira, the most famous, modern classical master. In the late 90s, McBane took an HNC in Equine Science and Management and began teaching classical riding. A few years later, Equitation Science emerged, mainly instigated by Dr Andrew McLean and (now)Professor Paul McGreevy. McBane has attended various educational events on ES and began to study it privately and use it in her lessons, combining it with classical riding. She began writing professionally in 1968 and has since written 44 books and hundreds of articles, as well as editing four magazines. She continues to edit Tracking-up magazine and write on Equitation Science and classical riding monthly for Equi-Ads magazine.