(Second Edition 2003)

Chapter 1    A Foundation for Teaching Safe Horsemanship ........................1
    What is Quality Riding Instruction?
    AAHS: Litigation Resistance and Safety Concerns
    The Rules of Safe Horsemanship
    Follow the Hard-Line, Boldface, Black-Letter Safety Rules

Chapter 2    The Nature of the Horse: The Foundation of the Program.............21
    The Horse's Greatest Fear
    Characteristics That Protect the Horse
    What Makes the Horse Fight or Flee
    Overcoming the Fight or Flee Reflex
    How the Horse Likes to Be Touched
    A Horse is a Herd Animal
    A Word About Response
    

Chapter 3    Qualities and Goals of an Effective Instructor .....................29
    Qualities of a Safe, Effective Instructor
    The Learning Process: Repetition, Variety, Procedure, Repetition
    Motivation and Learning
    The Adult Student
    Stable Guidelines
    Teaching an Effective Lesson
    Safety Checks

Chapter 4    Class Management Guidelines.........................................37
    Recognize good Horse/Rider Combinations
    Classic Management Basics
    Preparing for the Safe Mounted Lesson
    The Mounted part of the Lesson

Chapter 5    Horsemanship Across Disciplines......................................47
    A Balanced Seat for All Riders
    The Basic Seat

Chapter 6    The Foundation for Teaching Safely...................................51
    Safety Ground School
    Control Skills
    Starting Beginners
    Introducing Lesson Plans
    The 7-7-7 Exercise
    Covering the Basics 

Chapter 7    Introducing Lessons and Plans: Establish Rider Balance...............58
    Why a Plan is Important
    Determining Lesson Goals--An Example: First Mounting
    The Importance of Balance
    Reinforcing Skills Using Strategy Questions
    The Overall Plan for Your Program: Thinking It Through--All the Way Through
    

Chapter 8    Lesson Plans for the Trot ...........................................70
    Lesson Plan I: Posting Trot
    Lesson Plan II: Vertical Two-Point
    Lesson Plan III: Moving with the Horse at the Tort and Sitting the Trot
    Lesson Plan IV: 7-7-7, the Pivotal Exercise
    

Chapter 9   Introducing Canter Lessons ..........................................80
    Canter Work
    Intermediate Lesson Plan I
    Intermediate Lesson Plan II

Chapter 10   Teaching High-Risk Activities ......................................84
    Balance
    High-Risk Advanced Teaching
    The Longe Lesson
    The Jumping Lesson
     
Chapter 11   The Safe School Horse ..............................................93
       Age
    Soundness--Physical and Mental
    Sanity or Sainthood
    Unacceptable Habits
    Lesson Horses to Avoid
    Stable Vices
    Behavior under Saddle
    How to Discover Problems Safely
    If the Lesson Horse Is a Mare
    The Sour School Horse
    Special Training for the School Horse
    The Former Racehorse 

 Chapter 12   Control Issues: On the Trail and in the Arena....................103
    Emergency Dismount
    Emergency Stop
    "My Horse Won't Turn!"
    The Importance of "Whoa"

Chapter 13.  Emergency and Stable Procedures .................................108
    Emergence Procedures for People
    Have a First-Aid Plan
    Emergencies in the Ring
    Emergencies on the Trail
    Preventing and Handling Horse Emergencies
    Emergency Procedures for Horses
    Emergency First Aid for Horses

Appendix A:  Dealing with Accidents and Lawsuits ............................117
by Robert O. Dawson, Prof. of Law, University of Texas Law School
    Equine Activity Statutes
    Releases from Liability
    Consent for Medical Treatment
    Liability Insurance
    What to Do When There Is an Accident
    What to Do if You Are Sued

Appendix B:  Sample Procedures Manual .......................................127
by Brenda Hendrix, Former Dir. of Equine Program, Wood College, Mathiston, MS
    White: Introduction, Mission Statement, Philosophy, Goals, and Objectives
    Green: Programs Offered or format of Activities
    Tan: Expectations and Requirements of Staff and Volunteers
    Blue: Barn Protocols
    Purple: Rules and Policies
    Gold: Procedures
    Yellow: Guidelines for Instructors and Trail Guides
    Gray: Forms

Appendix C:  About the AAHS ................................................138
    AAHS and Negligence Laws
    AAHS Web Site
    AAHS Certification
    

Appendix D:  Sample Facility Rules for Staff, Students, and Boarders........141
    American Association for Horsemanship Safety
    Parking
    Barn
    Feed Room--Feeding
    Riding Arenas--Round Pens--Jumping Areas
    Arena Etiquette
    Trails and Cross-Country Areas
    Pastures and Paddocks
    Maintenance

Index ......................................................................145