Book Description

Successful horsepeople know the secrets of the horse's mind. All horses share 10 common character traits that affect every move they make. These traits are embedded deep within the horse's DNA and are shared by every horse. Dr. Miller explains how to predict what your horse will do, get the proper response and fix unwanted behavior. He shows how you can unknowingly teach your horse how to misbehave. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Better than the flashy title
I found this book to be much better than its flashy, "whisperer-trendy" title would indicate. It is a well-written, logically built collection of key "psychological" characteristics of horses. Not directly useful as a problem-solving guide, but still a must-read, because it explains quite clearly what every horse lover should deeply absorb.

Considering Ancient Secrets of the Horses Mind.
While this book contains valuable information, it is not by any means a thorough text on the horses mind. It contains some controversial advice. Too many stories and too much personal information for my taste. The Ancient Secrets of the Horses Mind is big on promises but falls short on delivery. Recommended as a training supplement only, not as the only book you get on training the horse.

Ancient Secrets of the Horses's Mind
This book is so good I have already sent 3 copies as gifts to friends. What more can I say. It is the best book about basic horse instints I have ever read. If one wants to understand why horses do what they do, then read this book. ... Read more

Book Description

In "Horses Never Lie," acclaimed horse trainer Mark Rashid breaks new ground by challenging the longstanding belief that a person must become the "alpa leader" in order to work with horses. Instead, "Horses Never Lie" teaches you how to become a "passive leader"—a reflection of the kind of horse other members of a herd choose to be around and to follow. It’s a must read for all horse owners who care about their horses and the kind of relationship they have with them.

As he did in "Considering the Horse" and "A Good Horse Is Never a Bad Color," Rashid writes about his experiences with real horses, always featuring his sense of humor and an overriding compassion for the horse. His instructive anecdotes reach back to when he was a youngster under the mentorship of the "old man," and continue to his experiences today as a horse trainer and a popular clinician who has traveled the world to teach his remarkably effective methods to enthusiastic horse owners. ... Read more

Reviews (37)

Horses Never Lie
This book, along with Rashid's other 2 titles, are the most useful and practical horse training books I've ever read. This title well establishes his concepts and philosophy through a storytelling style that makes it difficult to put down. Enormously engaging, he presents his conclusions and insights into working with horses while sharing the experiences that developed them. Rather than providing formulas, he provides a mindset, along with some specific ideas, that enables the reader to creatively compose their own solutions to difficulties that may arise when working with their own horse. He gives you a framework that requires creative but effective problem solving that is more relationship focused that task oriented...meaning he helps you to avoid sacrificing a trust relationship to accomplish the goal. He gives examples of ways to keep and even reinforce trust between you and your horse while accomplishing your goal. This is an alternative approach to manhandling or "John Wayning" a horse as I call it while remaining entirely practical. Written in an honest and vulnerable style. Excellent tool for developing creative solutions to difficulties with your horse designed to further establish trust and avoid a fight with a 1000+ lb. animal. Truly excellent!

Good read, but not the FIRST Mark Rashid book to buy
I have three of Mark Rashid's books and am here to get the fourth. His writing is friendly and fun to read, and I hate coming to the end of a book.

That said, if like me, you're fairly new to owning horses and looking for tips on training and communicating with horses, be sure to start with Mr. Rashid's "Considering the Horse". It has a plethora of useful information for the beginner and helps you think through how to work through problems with your horse.

"Horses Never Lie" is a tribute to a horse with which the author has an outstanding relationship. It has some food for thought, and is of course enjoyable to read. I happen to be looking for the line between becoming assertive enough to keep horse and self safe on a ride, and just being over bearing. Some of the stories in this book confused me as to where that line should be drawn.

On the other hand, this book would be interesting even to horse lovers who don't own horses.

What the heck, while you're here, you might as well just get all of his books. If you're a horse lover you're going to want them.

HORSES NEVER LIE
I found the book interesting and very easy and fast to read. I am an avid horse fan/owner and try to absorb any information out there to include anything regarding "natural horsemanship" . I enjoyed the book but was put off by the subtle put downs he had for other trainers. I think any attempt to get people to switch to "Natural Horsemanship" is a wonderful thing and should not be
put down or criticized especially considering the alternative. I felt each reference to other "natural" trainers (and most true horse lovers know exactly who he is referring to) was a blow to horses in general. Followers of these trainers may not be doing it exactly right but at least they are trying. I was confused as to what he was trying to tell me exactly, did he consider this wave of natural horsemanship a bad thing as long as it came from other trainers. Having said that I enjoyed hearing about how smart and forgiving horses really are. I would buy another of his books and hope he writes more but without the underlying jabs at others.

Very intriguing
This book was so interesting, that I plan to buy all books written by Mark Rashid. My family and friends will be receiving this book as a gift over the holidays.

Most Helpful of Horse Books
As a novice horse person, I have purchased many books on horse behavior and training. Of all the books I have, I have learned the most from Mark Rashid's books. He doesn't tell you "how to" but he gives you enough insight to develop your own how to. The most helpful thing I learned is that I don't have to win every "little" battle with the horse. It's a process, and one I've enjoyed more since I am no longer trying to be the alpha-mare; a concept that never worked for me. I will be recommending these books to all of our 4-H kids. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (35)

Wonderfully Wise (and Witty)
Pat Parelli's work is an excellent reference guide for equine enthusiasts at any stage of riding. While his writing style bears the signs of a real show-man, beyond the self-hype lie important ideas and techniques which have, repeatedly, proven exceedingly beneficial for all types of horse-people. He carefully (albeit often somewhat pompously) describes his programme, which consists first of ground-work and then of exercises to be performed in saddle. His very noble goal is to help humans to develop a subtle, understanding relationship with their equine partners.

Having read (and re-read) Parelli's work countless times in the past few months and having consistently applied his programme when "playing" (Parelli believes that humans should never "work" a horse) with my young Quarter Horse, I have witnessed enormous improvements in my horse's demeanour and, crucially, in the trust he has for me. By establishing dominance over my horse using the sensible, humane tactics Parelli recommends, I have made major progress en route to transforming this horse from a fearful, unridden colt into a willing, dependable, "true blue" mount.

I highly endorse Parelli's work; if his programme is applied with persistence, patience, and an open mind, the possibilities in the horse-human relationship are limitless.

Parelli-Safe way 2 start new relationship, info beyond book
Being a beginner 3 years ago, I bought many books to prepare myself and my new 3 year old for our relationship. I learned alot from the concepts of Lyons and other authors, but they didn't give me enough direction to start actually working with my horse.

I found Parelli's book to be the best help - it started out with more specific exercises and details on how to applied what I'd learned. In one year working with Parelli book techniques a few times a week my horse went from green broke to "too well trained" to be enough of a challenge for me. I have since attended Parelli seminars and bought the "system" to start my new horse. I disagree with the reviewer that said some of Parelli is untrue or unsafe - that some horses cannot be ridden bareback. Parelli has a very detailed system with very specific pre-flight checks that guarentee your horse will be safe before you get on. If the horse is not safe to get on bareback, then he is not really mentally ready to get on with saddle & bridle either! It's all about preparing his mind and starting a relationship - and it does take patience & lots of work (DON'T try to rush it or shortcut). If you are looking for a quick way to make your green broke horse into an old trail horse, this book is not for you. But then again, you probably will get sick of trying to "train" your horse and be like the 80% of new horse owners that quite before the 1st year is up.

In Parelli training with Teri Palmer, I saw some "un-sane" horses with terrible relationships with their owners being ridden by the last day with a lead rope and halter. My new horse was on the other end - terribly confident and walking all over me. It took him a VERY long time to pass the "pre flight checks" (as Pat says to each new lesson & test, "I've never seen it take more than 2 days!"), but once he did, it allowed me to ride with more confidence and way more safely (no one in the program had a single problem, spook, stubborness, or anything on their horse!!!!-and everyone was there because their horses were terrible originally). The book does describe these pre-flight checks, but I recommend getting a video or going through training if you are unsure about any one of them since seeing it is easier to understand than reading it.

I do say though that although the book is a good start, the parelli trainer sessions (level 1) really helped me with some of the confusion and questions I had about certain techniques. It was very expensive, but so interesting that my auditing husband signed up for the last 2 days after the first 2 were so progressive. I would highly recommend that if you are serious about trying parelli, you consider sessions with a 3 or 4 star trainer, even over buying the system. And find a friend interested in working with it also - it's easier to bounce concepts off each other and get some feedback while working your horse. And it helps with motivation - I'm a "common just do it NOW" type person and it took alot of motivation to take a step back and really do things right (as my horse was ready for).

I'm actually out here today looking to buy Linda Parelli's riding video - I feel that I'm not quite communicating what I want to now that I'm up on my youngster bareback and I really like the way Linda communicates her ideas (she helped organize Pat's).

One other nice thing about the book - if you don't like it, you can alway sell it for asking price on ebay. One downside with parelli - although you can make your own tools (and I did), his ropes and carrot stick are really one of a kind and are expensive. His rope is custom made for his company, and is much much heavier than all other ropes - you cant buy this rope at any store that I've found, or already made lead ropes of this sort. I used much lighter rope of the same size & softness, with heavy clasps on the end, and it's much less effective in giving signals (but it does work sort of). The carrot stick can easily be replaced with any 4-5 foot stick with leather taped on the end(and he uses golf club handles on the end) and if you are new at it a lighter stick won't wear you out as fast (this stick is heavy). The savvy string is a must - it's also extra heavy weight, and there are no replacements (trust me I tried). And obviously rope halters are easy to make or buy on ebay.

A worthwhile introduction to Parelli-ism and NH
I would hope that every one of Pat Parelli's detractors carefully read this book. I'm not a PP groupie but the more I read this book the more I see how his ideas are mangled and maligned by those who are put off by the razz-a-matazz, or jealous of the celebrity or perhaps have seen a bad example of his pupils.

This book is an introduction. It tries to cover all the principles of Natural Horsemanship (PP style), introduce the Parelli philosophy, give you a couple of exercises to start out with, talk about the gear and discuss PP's life and experiences. Covering such a wide range of topics, it is easy to complain that it covers none in depth - but it was never intended to.

What I particularly like about the book is that, if you are willing to read it (perhaps several times), in its entireity you get a much better picture of what Pat Parelli is really all about. Here is a man with an understanding of the horse as a complex being in its own right - not a big dog or a cow or a surrogate baby or a tractor. He explains equine motivation, and needs and how understanding and working within those boundaries will make your relationship with your horse much more satisfying (for both of you).

Warning: This Book Will Change Your Life Forever.
I'm a believer. I tried the others, then found the truth in Pat Parelli's teachings. If you don't know anything about Parelli Natural Horse-Man-Ship, this book is a good start. His whole home study program and the tools that go with it can be purchased online. Once you get into Parelli, there is no turning back. We came to him because of a horse that adamantly refused to get into a horse trailer. Now the whole family has learned to savvy our horses in ways we never thought possible. This book will explain how humans behave like predators around horses, driving a wedge in their relationship. More importantly, he explains how to overcome that tendency and how to teach yourself new ways of communicating with your horse as a loving partner and leader. Giving you specific techniques and exercises to use, Pat sets you up for success with your horse, no matter how difficult he may be now. I have now seen dozens of people get incredible results from their horses by changing their approach and adopting Pat's methods. My own former spookaholic Arabian now trots after me at liberty and I ride him bridleless - with nothing on his head. This didn't happen overnight - in fact it took a year of dedicated focus, but the results are, frankly, amazing. Try the book, then the program, but be warned: you cannot return to normalcy. And by the way, the horse that wouldn't load now trots happily onto the trailer when we point to it. No kidding.

Pat Parelli is the greatest people teacher!
This book is about getting your horse to become your partener while gaining his trust and respect without fear and developing yourself to become a better horseman (or woman). I can't believe this book received bad reviews! Parelli's students are his proof. Yes it takes time and it won't happen overnight. He sells his own tools(not gadgets)because nobody made what he was looking for. The "normal" people just don't and won't get it! I have to say that if you get this book (and you take the time to read it) you will want more info and Parelli Natural Horsemanship has all of the info you could possibly need in getting it natural & right with your horse. ... Read more

Book Description

Thoroughly investigates the reality of horse slaughter in the United States. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Show the love
If you love horses & want to help save them from slaughter this is the manual. Bill Heller tells the truth. There are websites listed for every state. ... Read more

Book Description

An illuminating look at how to recognize and respect a horse’s true character, and the relationship that can develop from a common understanding. ... Read more

Book Description

The training secrets of Hall-of-Fame trainer, Preston Burch, are once again available in his classic book, Training Thoroughbred Horses. In it he explains how to select, train and campaign horses of all aptitudes to become tough, competitive winners. Burch will teach you how to select yearlings with potential, break and train impressionable young horses, select training regimens to condition horses as individuals, select races which will improve the horse, and how to pick the jockey which is best suited for the animal. You will learn how to feed simple rations that turn into strength and stamina, manage your racing stable so horses remain calm yet fit and how to win more races by understanding the condition book. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Brilliant and simple, a winning formula
This book astounded me. It takes a very simple approach to training horses, and is surprisingly close to some of the "natural horse care" mantra that is going around today. Said "natural" approach is usually ridiculed by the "serious" trainers, who pump their horses full of drugs, scope them every other day, and advocate the purchase of yearlings who possess early speed but break down in six months.

Burch's methods are straightforward and matter-of-fact. This book would be useful to anyone training a sport horse, whether it be for racing, endurance, or eventing.

Superb
Impossible that present day horses would beat any horse trained by Preston Burch. Just read the exercise prescriptions in this book and be blown away. I certainly was. Here is carefully controlled training by a trainer understanding that his horses are participating in an athletic event. This is a book about conditioning equine athletes and also contains every other aspect of training and caring for thoroughbred race horses in a well written book by an individual who apparently understood the great care required. I held off reading this fearing it was dated, but what a pleasant surprise to find the extreme if succinct comprehensiveness here, every aspect is covered by a fellow who tried to do everything correctly. This is Ivers before Ivers, and one does wonder whatever happened to trainers like Max Hirsch and Preston Burch.

Preston Burch, where are you?
If every owner had a trainer like Preston Burch, there would be a lot more owners.

This is a cornerstone book for a racing library. There is a large amount of fundamental training information in this simply written little book.

The sections on conditioning schedules are invaluable. The degree of conditioning Burch afforded his horses is probably unmatched today.

Read this book, and then end it to your trainer (if he can read).

If you are just starting in this business...read this book.
If you are just starting out in this business, you should read this book. Preston Burch gives you a simple, direct and enlightening understanding of thoroughbred horses. This book may have been published almost 50 years ago but in every advancement man has made we constantly find ourselves going back to old knowledge and wisdom. ... Read more

Book Description

Internationally renowned horse trainer Mark Rashid pays tribute to the horse that became his teacher.

In Mark Rashid’s fourth book, Life Lessons from a Ranch Horse, the teacher becomes the student when a nondescript, seven-year-old horse steps into his life. A famous horse trainer, known for listening to horses and working with them in a non-confrontational manner, Mark is faced with odd behavior from this horse, and he must reevaluate everything he understands about horses and about himself, as a trainer and as a person.

Beginning with an untimely balk from Buck, who never falters, Mark tried to find out why it happened. Drawing on experiences as far reaching as the Navajo way and Japanese martial arts, Mark begins to piece together the workings of the mind of his horse. That process and the conclusions he reaches are the heart of this very personal story.

What he finds challenges him to become a better horse trainer, but it also challenges him to become a better person. His argument that Buck, an everyday horse, has the ability to plan ahead and make choices in a consistent manner will challenge the reader to rethink his or her relationships with animals and way of dealing with life.

In separate chapters, Mark describes the six life lessons he learned while working with Buck. Later in the book, he puts these lessons into practice, with topics such as blending, balance, and communication. Throughout the book, a philosophy of dealing with horses and of living life itself emerges.

Mark’s inimitable storytelling skills illuminate what Buck has to teach. Heart warming but gritty, Life Lessons From a Ranch Horse is not a conventional horse book. But, then again, Buck is not a conventional horse, nor is his owner a conventional horse trainer. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Humbling/Inspiring Read
Get ready to look inside at your own approach to your horse. How much
effort do you make in the day to day interaction with him/her to hear what
he/she is trying to say? I think we can all benefit from the inspiration this book
can give us. After all, can we ever be too intune?

Hearing the Wiseman Speak
I'm not talking about Mark Rashid when I refer to the Wiseman...I'm talking about Buck!

But Mark is his spokesman - and a great one at that.

Although I have enjoyed all of Mark's books, this one is really special. "Life Lessons From A Ranch Horse" is a gentle and compelling story that explains how the keys to understanding and communication are often completely overlooked even by the "experts". Mark leads us through his slow discovery of Buck's Life Lessons in a very sincere and honest way.

This is not a "How To Ride and Train Horses" book; it's an introduction to a more effective way to approach problems and solve them to everyone's benefit. Not a bad thing to be able to use in our lives, with horses or other people!

Mark has done us all a good service by sharing his tale of discovery. Now Buck can reach more folks than those who could ever meet him in person. And perhaps we will be able to better hear the other "Bucks" in our lives.

Not your average horse book
This is simply a great book, whether you are a horse person or not. In fact, so far I have given it to all my friends and employees, none of which are "horsey", and they all love it! It's hard to put into words what I have learned from it and what I continue to learn each time I read it. (4 times so far) Suffice it to say that it is the best book I've read in the last two years, and maybe longer. However, I must also say if you buy this because you are looking for a horse training book per si, then you will most certainly be disappointed. It isn't a training book in the literal sense. Rather it opens doors to possibilities that are available to us all not just with horses, but more importantly, in our overall daily lives. If you are looking to find better ways to help your horse through understanding and communication, or simply to help improve your life in general, then this one is for you. The lessons to be gleaned from this book are simple but very powerful. Right up there with another one of my favorites, The Tao of Pooh. I HIGHLY recomend this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

In Horses Don’t Lie, Chris Irwin, one of the most successful horse whisperers in North America, shows us that horses have much to teach us about ourselves when we strive to understand their behavior. Based on more than twenty years of working with, training, and observing horses, Irwin explains why trust and honesty are essential elements in building relationships with horses, and why the sensitivity and awareness that characterize a horse’s perception of the world are qualities we can use to enrich our own lives. “A horse knows what you know,” Irwin reminds us, and in Horses Don’t Lie his message is clear: Horses have a great deal to teach us about how to communicate with empathy and patience—not only with them, but also with each other. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

An INsightful Read
I loved this book. I normally don't like these "fluff" kind of books when it comes to horse training but I really gleamed a lot from this one. I loved how Irwin was open to explore why horses really do behave the way they do and their power in affecting us at all levels. There is a little bit of bragging but for the most part simply humble explorations of the horse/human bond. I would suggest Tao of Equus in addition to this because THAT book was simply profound and informative. Do not listen to the reviews about it being anti-male. I am a female but can't stand feminist chauvanism so believe me when I tell you it's fair. She also delves into positive male psychology towards the end. A great complement to this book!

good info and easy read
I purchased this book because I am a horsewoman AND because I had heard that some of the principals of the book were applicable to modifying behavior in other animals - including the human kind. I work with delinquent juveniles and thought it would be fun to read this book and see if it would actually work on both species I'll have to let you know later if they work on kids- not enough data yet There are some good lessons in the book, it's a simple book to read and easy to reread, non-technical for the most part, and full of just good common sense. Worth the price of purchase easily!

airy-fairy meets reality
This book is one I'd consider a 'must read' before deciding to commit to the responsibility of being a horse-owner. It's not like buying a car or a jet-ski. The horse owner must commit to spending quality time to develop not only basic riding skills but rapport with the animal. This book definitely helped me decide I'm not ever going to own a horse. Which saddens me, but ultimately it's better to know before making the mistake than afterwards.

This book is great when it addresses the authors areas of expertise & personal experience. Where it breaks down is when it gets off into things the author hasn't experienced directly. As an example, he talks about hierarchy among predators and prey, exhorting the reader to develop a horse-like understanding of the world & his/her place within it.

In essence, Irwin seems to say that the tendency towards predator-like competition among humans is what makes the world a bad place. Guess he's never observed or read about packs of dogs or wolves, prides of lions, etc. Relationships among predators are not about live-or-die. The only life-or-death struggle in nature is between predator and prey, not within species. Perhaps he should have suggested that people stop treating one another like prey and that would have been more valid.

When a challenge arises in the pack, as in the herd, the solution is decided upon with minimum of bloodshed and damage to challenger and challenged. As in the herd, the constant pattern of leadership and challenge helps each individual find a place and function within the group. So, I found that comparison to be ill-informed & awkward.

This book does go off into some hippy-dippy touchy-feely moments, but overall it seems to emphasize the hard work one must put in to being a competent horse-person, both with the horse and within oneself. If you aren't willing to do the work and put in the time, you definitely shouldn't inflict yourself on a horse.

Horses don't lie
The book was great, his articles from his web site were a nice supplement to what the book teaches-but his video, "Horse Whispering Demystified" is awsome. I've watched it three times now and put his concepts to work and was amazed at the difference I acheived in communicating with my horses. He is a very good teacher. I just ordered all his other videos and can't wait till they come.

Not impressed.
I expected more from this book and was very disappointed. In fact, I found myself bored while reading and had to re-read several passages as the words all just started to jumble together. ... Read more

Book Description

This guide shows readers how to run a successful business and make the most of their investments in horses, facilities, and equipment. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Great Business Ideas
This is a great book to get you started with a horse business. It doesn't go deeply into the legal part of business (taxes, loans, documentation other than liability forms) but it gives you ideas where other business books don't. There are plenty of books out there on business specifics already. She gives good advice about promotion and profit making activities, along with how to get the most profit out of a horse. She also briefly goes over basics, such as buying lesson horses, buildings, land, management, and accounting info (along with a few forms).

Overall, it was worth "it". It gave me lots of good ideas and insights. If you are seriously wanting to start a horse business and have not a clue about it, I wouldn't rely on this book alone; it is a good starting point however.

Excellent Ideas
I think Mary McDonald's book is full of sound and useful advice. I have boarded horses, bought and sold horses, and taught riding lessons off and on for 20 years. Recently I decided to begin teaching lessons again, having taken about 8 years off. I referred to this book for ideas on organizing, planning and implementing my new riding program. I borrowed from it liberally and feel much more goal-directed and organized than in the past. I recommend this book as a starting point for anyone considering becoming involved in the horse business.

Putting it all into words
As I went through the process of building a barn I kept thinking of things I wanted to do and getting really good ideas, but then inevitably I would forget them. This book contains them all plus hundreds of other great ideas!!

Quite helpful but....
I have read most of this book and am hoping to manage a horse farm in years to come. It is mostly revolving around a schooling and boarding stable. It has many good ideas about saving money and advertizing. I am not very experienced in running businesses and a horse business, as a loyal friend said, can make you or break you. This would help many people on a budget. It does not however tell you the approx. expenses for building and owning a stable including feed, the farrier and vet bills, and the beddings, probably to the varying prices of these items. I would recommend this book but would get a few more references on right after you build the barn and get it running.

Good tips but no detail
This book had some good tips. Most of them will apply to *any* business. It is a good reference to have around for whatever business you may have. But the information that was relevant to only a horse biz was a little too light. I'm glad I bought this book and will make good use of it but find I'm having to buy other books on horses to fill in the details. ... Read more

Book Description

Mark Rashid’s entertaining stories will introduce you to quiet solutions for resolving training problems from the horse’s point of view. Topics include ground manners, picking up feet, headshyness, trailer loading, mounting problems, balking, and head tossing. If you are about to buy a horse and definitely if you are about to sell your horse because of problems, or even if you only wish you owned a horse, this book will give you a whole new perspective into the horse’s point of view. ... Read more

Reviews (45)

Beyond the five stars
Here is a book that excels beyond description. I must admit that Mark Rashid is a gift to horses and I sure hope there would be more people like him. I cannot begin to express how inspirational this book had been. Not only is he a great horseman, but he is also a master at writing.

'Considering the Horse' is less of a problem solver and more of an attitude adjuster. Don't get me wrong, Mark addresses common problems in this book and provides innovative and effective methods of solving them. It is his suggestions that will be changing many traditional point of views. He does not force his ideas on you, but supports them with logical explanations backed by evidence from real life. Which brings me to the next point: the book's individuality stems from the fact that it is presented in true story format rather than text-book style. I think this format aids in delivering Mark's message in a subtle voice, allowing the reader to absorb the information and start thinking!

Mark addresses problems such catching uncatchable horses, picking up feet, stopping unstopable horses, ground manners, loading, headshyness, mounting problems, and balking. He begins by explaining how he decided on his approach and clearly illustrates different situations where different approaches should be taken. From easy quick-fixes to deep-rooted problems.. everything is explained in his entertaining and enlightening stories. He closes the book with a deeply touching story and a lesson for mankind that brought me to tears.

I have read his latest book 'Horses Never Lie' before this one and I find both books equally educational. Mark's passion for horses is evident in every word he writes and as I mentioned before, he is also a gifted writer. I believe that he is reaching out to the horse community, offering his knowledge to benefit as many horses in the world as possible. Five stars don't do him or his books justice.

Slyly teaches while entertaining!
This terrific book is a great read just on the narrative level, recounting stories of a boy learning from his wise master. You'll learn a lot about working with horses from reading this (it's fascinating, and really changes one's point of view), but you don't have to be a horse person to really enjoy it. (Tip: the general principles work as well for working with people as with horses!) His other book, A Good Horse Is Never A Bad Color, is essentially similar, and well worth reading.

Well Written--25 stars
Mark Rashid did an *EXCELLENT* job of writing this book! His way was very intriguing, and you just find yourself GLUED. Instead of coming out and giving you instructions on HOW to fix problems, he tells you stories of HIM fixing different problems. Also, I like his approach and way of thinking. He tells you that his ways may not be the best ways, and they may not always work, so you just rely on the book for some tips. But, I really liked it and got into it, and at the end - I cried. I couldn't help myself, it was like *I* was there doing it. If you have some problems with your horse, are looking into different methods of problem fixing, or are just looking for some good horse stories. GET THIS BOOK!

Must read for any horse person
I have started riding again and plan to get my own horse(s) in the next year or so. I have collected several different books on horse care, horse problems, etc. This book was great. From the first few pages I was hooked and read it cover to cover. Most horse books that I've gotten I have only scanned the pages.

This book is great because it tells stories about particular horses, their problems, and how the problems were overcome, all by taking the time to "consider" how the horse feels about a situation. This book was really great reading, and I would suggest it for any horse lover.

excellent
A must read for everyone ,well writen and easy to understand tells in detail the right way to train a horse.and he makes it interesting to read .
I am going to read the other 2 of his books.
well done Mark ... Read more

Book Description

The White Pacer paced east, against the moon, and against a breeze springing up. He seemed to glide rather than work his legs, he went so smoothly. He did not seem to be trying to get away, only to hold his distance. He moved like a white shadow, and the harder we rode, the more shadowy he looked. -- J. Frank Dobie

The horses had never been touched, fourth generation wild.... I had seen them, twice before the snow, catch a coyote out too far from cover, encircling the quick gray dog, and by sheer force of number, each angle vectored by a striking hoof, hack the little predator to a mess of trampled bone and pulp.

-- Mark Spragg

For thousands of years the hoss an' his long-eared cousins furnished all transportation on land for man an' broke all the ground for their farmin'.... I'm here to tell these machine-lovers that it will take a million years for the gas wagon to catch up with the hoss in what he's done for man. To-day some of these auto drivers want to kill him off to make fertilizer out of his body. Mebbe I'm sentimental, but I think it's a damned hard finish for one that has been as good a friend to man as the hoss. -- Charles M. Russell

Suddenly, the willows along the bottom erupted in rifle fire. The stallion humped up, leaped, screamed once, and died. I shouted at the mustangs to run, but only the mare and foal made it up over the narrow trail to safety.

-- Dayton O. Hyde

I had a four-strand silk manila lariat rope on her that she couldn't break ... I managed to get her wrapped around a tree and me to have the longest end of the rope and I got down and started to put a hackamore on her. She was choking pretty bad and had rolled her eyes around and was watching me real close. In the split half second that it takes to slip the nose-piece over a horse's head is when she snapped my right hand. I pulled as quick as I could and she tore the skin ... but I was jerking enough that she didn't bite a whole plug out of the back of my hand.

-- Ben K. Green

With a sudden pounding of hoofs, the three cowboys who had been waiting near the trap hurtled into view, yelling.... We were getting up from our hiding places when there were warning shouts. The helicopter was still out there, pushing. Finally a last small colt staggered into view, exhausted.... But as we spectators straggled down the slope to the trap, we could see that something was wrong.

-- Lynne Bama ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Wild horses captured on film
Although the original essays and reprinted material in this book make fine reading, the real contributors are the 13 photographers whose images of mustangs on nearly every page will please anyone with an interest in horses and the landscape of the Western states. Some shots are of horses grazing or standing still, looking back at the photographer, ears up and altert, but most are of horses in motion, sometimes in tight telephoto closeup, sometimes against rolling hills or sage-covered flatland. There are many kinds of weather as well, foggy, stormy, snow, wind, spring sunshine, dusty summer, and horses of all colors and markings. A handful of shots include saddled horses with cowboys.

The book has also been very handsomely designed. Page layout, typography, end papers, variety of image placement and use of white space, balancing of images and text, all serve the subject wonderfully and please the eye. Nearly all the photographs selected are crisply cear, motion frozen with a high-speed shutter. The wide pages make possible many double-page spreads that look and feel panoramic.

Editor Mark Spragg has brought together the work of seven writers, including himself, and an Assiniboine tale to accompany the images. The writings are mostly contemporary, but a few hark back to earlier times, such as Charley Russell's cowboy theory about the origins of horseback riding and Ben Green's account of trying to capture a band of mustangs, while nearly losing his hand to an infected horse bite. Spragg's harrowing essay "Wintering" appeared later in his collection of essays, "Where Rivers Change Direction." There's also an informative essay by New York Times writer Verlyn Klinkenborg, who writes eloquently of the rural life and has visited wild-horse territory earlier in his book "Making Hay."

I highly recommend this beautiful book to lovers of horses, good writing, and the Western landscape.

The perfect embodiment of horse lore and behavior
This book reads like a group of short stories, of which they are all by different authors. The combination of their stories gives one the true feeling of the multitude of facets of the wild horses. It will make you realize they are carved out of the landscape, and an intrical part of nature. A creature of survival sometimes at the risk of their very own life. The stories are memorable and unforgettable. A definate must for the armchair western adventurer.

A wonderful book that captures the spirit of the wild horse.
This is a great book for anyone interested in the Mustangs. It shares stories and legends of wild horses and people's interactions with them. The stories range from heart warming to tearful. Each brings you a step closer to understanding the difference of the wild and domesticated horse. Throughout the book are beautiful pictures that capture the spirit of the mustangs. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Really helpful info!
This book is packed with helpful information that I can really use...Rather than providing a dumbed-down, one-size-fits-all recipe for feeding, Briggs gives horse owners the facts and formulas they need to make sure their horses' nutritional needs are met.

Try something else...
This book is complete and informative, albeit a little hard to read. Horses have many different dietary requirements: fiber, fat, vitamins, minerals, protein... and Karen Briggs doesn't create any charts or guides to help you figure out which elements are likely to be lacking in your particular horses diet. Instead, try "Beyond the Hay Days" which provides equally detailed and comprehensive information as well as helpful summary charts that help you understand what your equines diet might be lacking and how best to suppliment it. ... Read more

Book Description

This authoritative yet straightforward guide discusses the preparations required - and the challenges - of getting mares pregnant. Scweizer covers such topics as the mare's anatomy, the reproductive system, and the importance of teasing and veterinary monitoring. She also examines the different breeding methods, including artificial insemination. Schweizer discusses ways to optimize the chances of conception through various management techniques and how to deal with infertility. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Breeding Management made simple
I am a big fan of all the "Understanding" books by TheHorse, but this one is one of my favorites. There are great pictures and a through explanation of Natural as well as Artificial Insemination. It helped me pass a Breeding and Reproduction class, making all my cryptic notes so much clearer! ... Read more

Book Description

This is a pratical how-to which provides specific rules for making a profit with weanlings, yearlings, stallions, or broodmares of any breed. Profit potential with race horses is covered as are the tax advantages offered to anyone involved in the horse business. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

yeah right!
Maybe my horses are just lazy but none of them have been able to hold down a job for more than a week and they can't seem to pick up even the most basic accounting skills. I have had a modicum off success using them to haul people around but that seems to be a bit arrogant and callous.

Anyhoo a got a showbiz gig lined up at some place in Tijuana that sounds promising.

Make money with horses: You can do it
This book has some great ideas, with alot of percentages for examples, but it is primarily for the individual that wishes to go into the horse racing business. Theres not too much info for the person that wants to make money having a riding facility, or giving trail rides. Basically its for someone that wants to make a quick profit buying horses and fastly turning around and selling them. I would not recommed this book for the person wishing to start a nice casual back yard business.

An Excellent Book
This book is an excellent source of information. The material is presented in a down-to-earth way that can be understood and put to practical use.

It's A Keeper!
As I started skipping through the book I found some subjects that caught my eye. The chapters on stallions and trainers are absolutely great. Because of the interest in these two, I went back to the beginning, and low and behold, you can apply quite a bit of this information to a wide variety of situations (it refers mostly to racing). In particular, the recommended method of evaluating horses could be useful when looking at any type of horse. This book is one I'll keep in my library.

Editor, Alaska Horse Journal ... Read more

Book Description

Effective management requires knowledge, dedication, and a sincere interest in the well-being of horses. In this thoroughly updated second edition of her best-selling classic, Cherry Hill explains how to be a responsible steward of the land while providing horses with the best care possible. Drawing on decades of personal experience and recommendations from hands-on Extension agents throughout North America, Hill provides detailed, practical information designed to help readers develop and refine their “horsekeeping consciousness.”

A thorough understanding of horses is critical to good horsekeeping, so Hill begins by explaining the behavior and the physical and emotional needs of the horse. She encourages readers to choose a management method that fits their lifestyle and locale. She then explains how to maximize efficiency through careful planning of facilities and implementation of diligent management routines that keep horses happy, healthy, and safe.

Well organized and generously illustrated with color photographs and instructive plan drawings, Horsekeeping on a Small Acreage is packed with information that horse owners need. Acreage selection, layout design, and checklists for daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal management routines are just a few of the essential topics covered in this invaluable reference.

Since it was first published in 1991, Horsekeeping on a Small Acreage has sold more than 160,000 copies. This new edition is full-color and has been thoroughly redesigned, revised, expanded, and updated. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Colonel Podhajsky's narrative.
This book is written in a style similar to a series of short stories. Colonel Podhajsky passes along some of the lessons he has learned from his four legged teachers that any horse person can understand. It is like listening to a friend speak of his experiences rather than studying a textbook. This makes the book both entertaining and educational. What a pleasure to read!

My horses my teachers
Have you ever wondered what happened to the Spanish riding school when Hitler matched across Europe? Without this man the riding school might not have survived. An under rated horseman. His explainations on dressage are insightful. A very useful book, absorbing even if you don't ride. The photos sometimes leave something to be desired but in somecases they are 80 years old. Wonderful book a pity the rest of his books aren't still in print.

Best Horsemanship Book I've Read in a Long Time!
Highly recommended! This guy is the Tom Dorrance of the classical dressage world. I think everyone involved with horses should read this book.

the best of the best equestrianbook
only

... if you are a dressage rider you needed

Awesome!!!
This book is practically a lesson with this famous horseman! It is easy to read and tells you about his life and how he got to be the great horseman he is. I found it imspirational and to be well worth it's money. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (5)

Compact, yet informative.
This compact, informative and economical guide to starting young horses provides an excellent overview of training the young horse, from early ground work to starting over fences. Although the book is dated, the German scale of basic training principles is timeless and very much en vogue in the dressage community today. Based on sound principles and written by an accomplished horseman, this is one to read.

Basic Training?
I thoguht this book was great because it is small and easy to carry to the barn. The pictures help you remember what you read in a "jiffy". Some of the information seems old and maybe a litle out of date but overall I think its a book thats good for anyone with a horse in training.

Basic Training of the Young Horse
While Klimke lays the basic foundation of dressage training, he speaks from a perspective that is far removed from most American dressage lovers. Most don't have full time grooms and the ability to turn their horses out to pasture in the summer.

One of my favorite finds
Klimke clearly and logically lays out the foundations of basic training. The information is easy to read, concise and shows a deep understanding and respect of the horse. There is much more packed between the covers than I expected. An excellent, excellent read for anyone who works with horses.

Klimke explains the early training well
This book does a great job of explaining and outlining the early training of the dressage horse, from ground training to work under saddle. I have used it as a reference for several articles I have written on dressage theory. ... Read more

Book Description

In this follow-up to his first book, "Considering the Horse," Mark Rashid continues to share his gift for using communication, not force, in working with horses. Rashid uses heart-warming and humorous stories to share his techniques of teaching horses by understanding their view of the world. These tales deal with many facets of buying, owning, and training horses. Stories of Arabs, appaloosas, and paints—mistrusted and mistreated because of their breed—will give you a new perspective on these breeds and others. Rashid’s accounts of horses bound for slaughter because they couldn’t be trained will inspire you to give your own problem horse another look. And when Wil, the ugliest horse you can imagine, turns out to be the best on the ranch, you’ll understand why a good horse is never a bad color. ... Read more

Reviews (30)

A Good Horse Is Never A Bad Color
An absolutly great read. I've been a horseman for 27 years and have to say that I have never found a better,more common sense approach to horsemanship. We always have something new to learn when it comes to our horses and Mark give us a lot to think about. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves their horse.

Don't teach your Horse Balogna, READ THIS BOOK
"A Good Horse Is Never a Bad Color" is like a manual put into story form. In my opinion this makes it entertaining, and you can retain the information easily. The methods Mark uses are not through force or fear but rather through a way
that allows the horses to respond positively with their own free will.

Equestrians must read this book!
This book is very interesting and will keep you attention. My favorite part is when Mark talks and tells about how good horses can be no matter what color or breed they are. This book will have an impact on you and horses. You will have a new way to look at them and understand them. If your on the search for a better way to work with horses then this book is defintly for you! I don't think you will be disapointed.

Learn how to be a passive leader, not an alpha leader!
This is one of the best books I have ever read about training and working with horses. Mark Rashid shares stories from his childhood helping an old man with ranch work, and tells remarkable tales of how to become a passive leader rather than an alpha leader. He also includes stories and advice about buying horses, foaling, training, and many other interesting topics. I would definately say that this is a book that must be on your bookshelf! I've made reference to it several times, and having it handy to look up something is wonderful. I'd give this book 5 stars with no hesitation!

A Gift
I bought this book not knowing what it was about. I had read Mark Rashid's two other books, and his name on this one was all I needed to make the purchase. I have already been educated and inspired from 'Considering the Horse' and 'Horses Never Lie' more than I have been from all other horse books put together. I knew 'A Good Horse Is Never a Bad Color' would be as good. I was not disappointed.

Unlike the other two, though, this book covers a slightly different subject. While the others mainly discuss training attitude and problem solving, this one focuses on making good horses. It discusses practical issues such as choosing a good horse, imprinting newborns, early training, solving problems that might occur along the way, and even changing a bad horse into a good horse. Of course, Mark never tells you, "if you have a problem with that, do this to solve it." Instead, he writes in story format, recalling his experiences as they happened. This charming style guarantees the book unputdownable. Even if you are not into horses, you could read this book as an autobiography.

In the last chapter, Mark concludes that it was 'the old man' who had passed on this gift to him. He hopes that through this book, he had been able to pass on the gift to the reader. But really, to learn the gift and use it, you must read all his books. They complete each other and deliver his message to the world: a horse will give his all to the person who talks to him in a language he understands. This book costs only $[money], but I would've bought it even it the price was $500. If you have to read only one book in your life about horses, make it one of Mark Rashid's. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Celebrated as "the real horse whisperer," Monty Roberts made his literary debut with The Man Who Listens to Horses--half autobiography, half introductory lesson to "Equus," or the language of horses. In Shy Boy, Roberts returns with the story of a wild mustang he captured and domesticated using his renowned, nonviolent training technique. Beginning with the stunning Cuyama Valley in California, where he tracked the young stallion Shy Boy for three days, and moving on to the horse's gradual acclimation to human contact, Roberts walks the reader through the slow, detailed process. In the course of this equine odyssey, he stitches in inspiring anecdotes, as in the case of Samantha, an ailing 12-year-old who used Monty's method: "She saved a horse from an untimely end in a slaughterhouse and spared herself further harm--and she had done it without ever raising a hand or even her voice." However, the real credit for this book should probably go to the photographer, Christopher Dydyk, whose 100 or so colorful glossies dominate the book's 236 pages, with dazzling shots of the ranch, the range, and Monty at work. With brilliant graphics and easy-to-read language, Shy Boy is ideal for a young horse lover. --Rebekah Warren ... Read more

Reviews (35)

Powerful yet strong monty reaches into horse's lives.
Powerful,strong,understanding,Monty fits in this discripition perfectly.Monty reaches deep inside the souls and hearts of the horses he "starts" pulling out their true emotions for humans.He then turns an unpredictable and wild horse,Shy Boy into a gentle ranch horse,and lets Shy Boy choose his destiny.To maintain a violence free start for Shy Boy he must never raise his hand or even his voice.Creating a trust using Equus,a language that the horse has created. The beautiful photographs of this book capture the spirit and elegance of the mustang.This book will go deep inside you and bring out the softness in each and every one of us.Monty's touching experience between mustang and human will send a cold shiver down your spine. A truly remarkable story. I recomend this book to any horse enthusiast or not.

HORSE FANS, READ THIS BOOK!!!
Shy Boy is a book about a horse that was brought in from the wild by means of join-up, a way of communicating with wild horses using there own body language. The author explains about how to communicate with horses using their own language which he calls equis. I highly recommend this book if you would like to learn more about horses in their own "home field", or if you like a good story. It made me sorry to finish it. Truly I believe anyone who has ev