The links below is the gateway to the CSI recommended reading list. Because there are many excellent books available on Sporthorse riding, training, handling, and breeding, the topics have been divided up into pages by topic. Click on the desired topic in the list to see books in that category.
CSI Members have generously offered to sell their own copies of some of these books. Look for the link to email them about it. If you are a CSI member and wish to sell a book you see listed, please contact Linda at creeksidecurlies@gmail.com for more information.
Breeding
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Blessed Are The Brood Mares This is a more technically oriented book than Modern Horse Breeding, but still not at the level of a veterinary text book, so it is still readable by the those without a medical degree. Good middle of the road breeding book. |
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Equine Breeding Management and Artificial Insemination |
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Modern Horse Breeding This is an excellent general text on horse breeding. It is not as technical as some books on the market so that it will be an easier read for the breeder just starting out (without causing too much panic over what MIGHT go wrong). |
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The Complete Book of Foaling |
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Breeding Management and Foal Development This is one of the more technical text available on breeding management. If you have read other books and always want more details, this is the right book for you. |
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The Formative Years: Raising and Training the Young Horse |
Genetics
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Horse Genetics This is basically more of a primer on genetics with more detail on genetics in a general sense without the detailed focus on color as in the books below. If you want to develop a broad understanding of genetics, this is the right text. |
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Horse Color Explained Gower has some critics who disagree with her genetic theory, but this is still an excellent book, imo. She has photos of color variations beyond the norm such as bindle. Still a worthwhile read. |
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Horse Color If you can only buy one book on color genetics, this is probably your best bet. Excellent photos showing variations on color and color genetics explained in a fairly straightforward manner. |
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Equine Genetics and Selection Procedures If you are looking for the ultimate book in equine genetics, this is it. It is not the easiest read, but it has the most details on genetics and equine selection procedures for breed improvement above all others! |
Conformation
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Conformation and Performance This book focuses on different aspects of conformation why that t would be a help or a hindrance to specific types of performance. This is an excellent general text but does not delve in to the interdependencies between body parts and bio-mechanics of movement. Excellent book for someone who wants a quick, to the point reference. |
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Horse Conformation & Athletic Movement This is a basic CD on conformation and movement. This is more fundamental that some people will need, but a good introductory work on conformation and the different needs of different riding disciplines. |
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Horse Gaits, Balance and Movement This is a must read for students of gaits & equine movement. Harris delves into aspects rarely discussed in books such as how a rider effects a horse’s movement, how shoes can impact movement, and how to improve movement. |
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Anatomy of the Horse This is a basic text on anatomy, bones and soft tissue. In order to truly understand & discuss conformation, a horse person needs to understand equine anatomy. |
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The Horse in Motion: The Anatomy and Physiology of Equine Locomotion |
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The Horses Muscles in Motion |
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Understanding the Horse’s Back |
In Hand Work
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Schooling Horses in Hand This is a fairly advanced text on work in hand. Trainers who are just trying to learn work in hand may become frustrated by this work, but for those who have some background will most likely find this an excellent addition to their library. |
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Right from the Start This book focuses on starting out young horses with communication and low stress, including some discussion on how horses think and learn. This book has some introductory work in hand as well as starting a horse off under saddle. |
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Showing in Hand |
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101 Longeing and Long Lining Exercises |
Dressage
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Dressage In Harmony: From Basic to Grand Prix This is an excellent book covering the basics of classical dressage. |
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Dressage Principles Illuminated |
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Dressage With Kyra |
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Dressage for the 21st Century This is a wonderful work that explains dressage principles in an easy to read, easy to understand manner. The author uses photos and illustrations well to show correct vs. incorrect and to clarify his points. Well written, easier to read than many classical dressage text. Highly recommend. |
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Cavalletti: The Schooling of Horse and Rider over Ground Polls This is the consummate text on cavalletti. Any rider that wants to improve & strengthen their horses’ use of it’s back should consider this book. |
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Centered Riding |
Jumping
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Anne Kursinski’s Riding and Jumping Clinic |
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101 Jumping Exercises for Horse & Rider |
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Jumps, etc.: Jumps, Dressage Arenas and More |
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School Exercises for Flatwork and Jumping |
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Making Your Own Jumps (Step by Step) This book is ideal for those who don’t have a budget to buy fancy jumps! This offers cost effective alternatives to spending thousands on a jumping course. |
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Hunter Seat Equitation This is a classic in the hunter world, an older text but still valuable for those interested in learning more about equitation. |
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Winning: A Training and Showing Guide |
