Synopsis: My series on horse training began with the idea of turning my posts on riding and schooling into textbooks that could be marketed to equine science associate degree programs. The small publisher that originally contacted me with that idea quickly fell by the wayside and I ended up becoming an independent publisher. I got to discover for myself that marketing books is not an easy business to break into. However, since the structure of this series was based on an effective process of schooling, I kept it.
The exercises for the rider in each volume are focused on developing a sound scaffolding of awareness and understanding that allows them communicate clearly with their horse on the ground. Learning a basic kinesthetic alphabet of the natural aids opens the doors to exploring what a horse and a human can do together from the saddle.

The exercises for the horse are focused on developing a sound biomechanically appropriate scaffolding of fitness, correct movement and understanding that allows the horse to carry their rider with ease. As the horse learns to ‘read’ and respond to entire words built from the basic kinesthetic alphabet of the rider’s natural aids, they become able and willing to offer all they have to give with all their ardor.

Author Sara Annon has ridden, schooled and rehabilitated a variety of equines ranging from donkeys to off-track Thoroughbreds. Early on in life, her incessant curiosity was reprimanded by an uncle who informed her that scientists asked how not why. She found that adding ‘how’ to her list of questions made the answers even more interesting.

Among other avenues, asking how lead her to study the oral history of the Spanish Colonial horses of New Mexico and how their build affected their abilities under saddle, all long before equine biomechanics become popular. Confirmation she was on the right path came in the 1980’s when the Albuquerque History Museum asked her for measurements to build a model to display their 15th century suit of Spanish horse armor that did not fit modern horses.

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Light in the Saddle Publications
Horses are not born knowing how to get along with humans. They have to learn. Before we gallop off into the sunset together, we humans have an obligation to make sure our equine companions are equipped to survive in an all too often unfriendly world. I dedicate this series to all the horses that are injured and abused, their lives ended long before they should, because they have not been prepared for a life with humans.

And this series is written for the rider who wants to be one with their horse, but does not quite know how go about it.That mystical connection, that feeling of oneness between horse and rider, is the capstone of much time developing the elements of body awareness and finesse by both partners. Learning a basic kinesthetic alphabet of the natural aids opens the doors to exploring what a horse and a human can do together from the saddle.

The exercises for the rider in each volume are focused on developing a sound scaffolding of awareness and understanding that allows them communicate clearly with their horse on the ground. The exercises for the horse in this series are focused on developing a sound bio-mechanically appropriate scaffolding of fitness, correct movement and understanding that allows the horse to carry their rider with ease.

Born in Santa Fe New Mexico, I have been immersed in the multicultural matrix of that magical area since birth. I had to learn how to navigate our modern culture while living with one foot in each world. My childhood clearly illustrated that the well-being of the land and the different peoples living here only comes about when we all understand and work with the full community in all the realms.

My grounding, companion, and guide on my spiritual path is the great and generous spirit of the Horse Clan. I had the great gift of being introduced to horsemanship by a true schoolmaster, a Colonial Spanish colt from the Baroque bloodlines that came to the American Southwest with the first immigrants from Spain. This horse not only taught me to ride High School dressage, he kept me on my feet, literally. Without him, I would have succumbed to the neurological damage I suffered form trauma, heavy metal poisoning, lightning strikes and environmental toxicity.

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