Ride Smarter: On To The Next Level Of Horsemanship (Western Horseman) - Softcover

Cameron, Craig

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0762788798 ISBN 13: 9780762788798

Publisher: Western Horseman, 2013

Synopsis

Although Ride Smarter is a continuation of Ride Smart and follows a similar format, the second volume’s subject matter is fresh and new, geared to take readers and riders to the next level of horsemanship.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

Since 2004, when Craig Cameron’s book Ride Smart was printed, the clinician’s popularity has only grown. With his 2010 championship at the prestigious Road to the Horse, he gained even more followers to his no-nonsense approach to training and riding. Cameron’s easygoing teaching style, beloved by his students, is now found in this follow-up to his popular first book.

          In Ride Smarter, readers learn to further develop their horsemanship skills and continue on the road to becoming true horsemen and -women. Cameron continues to build on some of the topics covered in his first volume, and adds valuable information that riders of all levels of expertise can use in improving their riding experiences.

          Early chapters in this second book talk about the qualities that make a good horseman, and the responsibilities each person has to his or her horse. Cameron gives tips on selecting the right horse, making a smart purchase and knowing when it’s time to change horses. He discusses caring for your horse at home and on the road, something he’s familiar with after logging thousands of miles with his horses in tow.

          In Ride Smarter’s later chapters, Cameron addresses the advantages of different bits, and then delves into the use of cues and how important they are. He also discusses the fine art of correction, and helps readers understand when discipline is necessary, and offers tips on understanding and riding the different gaits.

          One of Cameron’s goals when training is to develop a horse that does anything the horseman asks, and in one chapter Cameron relates how to create what he calls the “brave horse.” He then discusses the advantages of cross-training between the arena and the trail, and patterns and obstacles that you can use to advance both your and your horse’s skills.

          In his clinics, Cameron answers numerous questions about problem horses, and Chapter 15 addresses the most frequently discussed problems and the clinician’s approach to fixing each one. Cameron also takes a humorous look at some “people problems” that your horse might tell you about if he could talk.  And finally, this top hand talks about setting goals for your horse and your horsemanship, and how valuable having that sense of direction can be.

          As in Cameron’s first book, chapters in this second book, Ride Smarter, include a “True Story,” a personal anecdote about a memorable experience; “Here’s How” with simple and practical training tips; and “A Better Way,” which provides workable approaches to common problems encountered in achieving horsemanship and horse-handling goals.

          Anyone who has been to Cameron’s clinics can appreciate the straightforward instruction the Texas horseman offers. Those who haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Craig Cameron in person get a good look at the training techniques and coaching skills that have earned him a reputation as the “Cowboy’s Clinician.” Ride Smarter helps readers advance in the adventure of horsemanship.

About the Author:

A Native Texan Craig Cameron, one of the original clinicians, is on the road more than 44 weeks a year covering 80,000 miles demonstrating the style of horsemanship he has perfected in the last 23 years. Called the “public defender of the horse,” Craig dedicates himself to those who educate their horses by first educating themselves. At an age where most have long since retired the thought of starting colts, Craig Cameron known as “The Cowboy’s Clinician,” starts hundreds of horses each year; plus his four-day clinics held at his ranches in Bluff Dale, TX and Lincoln, NM blend education with entertainment.

Clinic topics range from basic to advanced horsemanship, colt starting, ranch and cattle work, problem-solving, reining and trail obstacles. This year he plans to incorporate horse-camping and back-country riding techniques into his lesson plans.

Craig has created a program that builds confidence and trust between man and horse. Rather than fight the animal, he offers patience and understanding that leaves the horse wanting to do what is asked of him. In the early 80’s Craig was fortunate to meet a man named Ray Hunt who opened his eyes to the art of working through understanding when training horses. Building upon his experiences, Craig uses a philosophy of teaching that eliminates rough handling of horses earning him a well-deserved international following.

Craig, a life-long rancher, working cowboy and horse trainer, has just about done it all from cow-calf, stocker operations, custom hay-baling, or capturing wild cattle for fellow rachers. After years of bull riding on the professional rodeo circuit and successfully operating his cattle business, Craig, decided that it was truly the horse that attracted him. He soon discovered his aptitude for communicating with the horse and meticulously refined and nurtured this talent. He wanted to give back something to the horse. When he was ready, he began conducting western horsemanship clinics and demonstrations to help riders increase their knowledge and understanding of their horse and to keep the cowboy tradition alive.

Craig is headquartered out of his unique Double Horn Ranch in Bluff Dale, TX and in Lincoln, NM.

Craig Cameron’s original entertaining and motivational style is regularly sought after by TV, radio, magazine, fairs, ranches, concerts, universities and many celebrities. Craig has worked with and for such notables as Lynn Anderson, Ralph Lauren, Ty Murray, Michael Martin Murphy, Cody Lambert, Bum Phillips, Charmayne James, Bob Moorehouse, Buck Taylor and others. Singing artist Red Steagall says, “Cameron’s year includes hundreds of public appearances nationwide, in Europe and in the Canadian Provinces. He always entertains the crowd and he’s as good with a horse as anybody I have ever seen.”

His humility and fairness go a long way with horses and people and by using the western way of life so successfully in his endeavor to teach and communicate his skills, Craig is keeping our western heritage alive. Craig has been a regular for many years at “Michael Martin Murphy West- tests,” Amanllo Ranch Rodeo, National Cowboy Symposium, Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium. Wichita falls Ranch Rodeo. Edmonton Farmfair and Canadian National Finals Rodeo. Red Steagall’s Cowboy Gatherings, Tulsa Farm Show, Oklahoma City Farm Show, Midwest Agriland Farm Show, Minnesota Horse Expo, Michigan Horse Expo, West Dakota Roundup, Abilene Western Heritage and many other shows. Craig’s incredible brand of horsemanship has brought him national sponsorships from such companies as Purina Mills, Priefert Mfg., Sundowner Trailers, Polaris Ranger, Professionals Choice, EQ Solutions, Western Hauler, and Farnam to name a few. Craig has a long line of horse handling products, including his successful and very popular four-video collection Gentle Horse Breaking, Dark into Light, Predator-Prey and his newest, Back to Basics, are still being sold world-wide. He introduced in 2004 his new book and a new line of products.

Susan Morrison is a lifelong horsewoman and equine journalist. As a youth, she competed in barrel racing and pole bending, and now competes as an amateur cutter and has twice qualified for the American Quarter Horse Association World Championship Show in that event. Initially a newspaper editor and reporter, Morrison also worked in media relations before focusing completely on the horse industry, initially at Horse & Rider. She then joined Morris Communications, where she has served on the editorial staffs of both Quarter Horse News and Performance Horse. Currently Morrison is the managing editor of Western Horseman magazine.

About this edition

• Publisher: Western Horseman
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0762788798
• ISBN 13: 9780762788798
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 204