LESLEY Bayley's guide to developing a deeper bond with your horse outlines a range of exercises and games, easy to follow and carry out, and designed to get horse and rider on the right wavelength and operating as a successful and happy unit.

Beginning with basic handling techniques and basic groundwork such as stretches and massage, she leads on to equine communication, lungeing and positive horse magic with the help of guest contributors, including Ross Simpson and Dan Franklin.

This is horse sense at its best.

In Schooling Your Horse, also by Lesley Bayley (David and Charles £12.99) the emphasis is on dressage, jumping and western riding, and this is one book in which the photographs play an all-important role. Visually exciting and extremely informative, any rider can learn from the varied programmes such as flatwork, lateral work and polework.