Josephine Knowles has been breaking and schooling horses and ponies since she was twelve years old. Almost a lifetime of experience is contained in this book which is probably the most meticulously detailed guide to the subject ever published. The early chapters deal with the care and handling of the foal and the education of the yearling and two-year-old. An explanation of lungeing and long-reining includes advice on the necessary equipment and how to fit it. The benefits and method of loose-schooling are described and mouthing, bitting and backing are covered in detail. Chapters on schooling on the flat and over poles take the equine pupil up to participation in a first show, hunt, dressage test or Pony Club rally. Valuable advice is given on assessing and buying young horses to school on, and on reschooling badly trained or difficult animals. Matters of behaviour, vice and nervousness are covered, as is road safety, saddlery and equipment, travelling, and feeding, care and management for all ages and stages. The book is illustrated with the author's own photographs and almost 200 line illustrations by Dianne Breeze.
Throughout the book, the emphasis is on safety for both human and equine. Josephine Knowles may occasionally give unconventional advice, but her proven training methods which combine firmness with tact and sympathy, result in horses and ponies that are happy, willing and obedient.