I'd like to mention . . . well, they used to be videos, now DVDs I suppose? Lots of trainers have made them and they can give you far more of an idea of what to do than just reading about it. Some will show both good and bad riders and point out the differences. Jane Savoie's "The Half Halt Demystified" really helped me. And of course, if you get a few for educational purposes, you can get others for pure entertainment. Here's what they have on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_n_43?ie=UTF8&rs=3375251&keywords=dvd&bbn=3407321&rnid=3375301&rh=n%3A3375251%2Ck%3Advd%2Cn%3A3407321

My Gracie, you just reminded me of the site I joined for training help.  It's www.superstarsofhorsetraining.com.  I paid the big bucks for a "platinum" membership, which gets me a daily email training tip and a monthy DVD (and occasional e-books, which I'm delighted with).  I'm an Easterner and an English rider, and most of the trainers are western, so I didn't know HALF of what they showed me!  I learned soooo much in a short period of time, and I really enjoy applying the new techniques.  You don't have to join to buy the DVD's.  I just like getting something in the mail every month.  LOL 

 JMF, I get andys tips everyday by email. He has some pretty interesting stuff that he sends. I also get them from (e-mail tips) from Horsetrainingresources.com, and anyhorsebackriding.com. You don't have to pay for them and you will get some really good info.

Wow!  Thanks for the tips, Dukey!  I'm going to sign up at both of the free sites.

I had a paid membership to www.horseadvice.com, which was excellent for vet questions.  It's run by a vet, and you can ask questions directly to him.  There are posters offering training advice and the like too, but it's best for vet stuff.  I canceled my membership only because I haven't had any vet questions that I couldn't get answered by my own vets since the Morgan's mystery illness. 

 You're welcome.

The sites even have DVDs dthat you can purchase from diffrent trainers for all sorts of things. I haven't had a chance to buy them yet, but am planning on it soon. 

Hi, I am also new here.

I started out just like you, a city girl. It took me 39 yrs till I got my first horse. I worked with my friend and started out with the mucking task, I was okay with that. I worked my tootsies off baleing hay, mending fences, cutting tree limbs, and anything you could imagine job wise on a ranch. I did learn to ride both english and western over the years. I learned how to tack up a horse and care for the tack. I was always on the internet or at the bookstore reading anything I could on the care of these awesome animals. The working and training were my most difficult tasks in learning which training method I liked or what worked better for the horse. There is always something to learn, even for the the folks who have owned longer then us. "You can never know enough",is what a woman taught me. 

Do your horsey homework and enjoy! keep us posted on your horse-happenings okay

Caesar's Mom

I think for the most accurate info you can't go wrong with Equus or Horse Journal.  They are both excellent!