Rating: 
Summary: land of oz?
Review: I found about half of this book helpful to me in thinking of equine relationships in a more open way. There were some interesting real-life stories and theories presented for consideration. I thought the other half of the book was a bit too "new age"y for me. The author's alleged connection to ghost horse ancestors was a bit much for me to swallow, but interesting to read about anyway. There seems to be alot of plugging her "equine based therapy" and patting herself on the back for having so many unusual and amazing experiences within her world with horses.....perhaps I am just envious of this transcendental level she has the ability to frequent....or perhaps I'm not as evolved...or maybe just looking for something a little more "earth based".
Rating: 
Summary: Anyone for an insight sandwich?
Review: I gained some very valuable insights into my horses' behavior through this book. Unfortunately, the insight was sandwiched between layers of complicated metaphysical mumbo-jumbo and shameless business-plugging. I completely agree with the idea that a close bond with horses can send one on a life-changing journey that transcends the physical world, but the descriptions in this book of such phenomena are so heavy-handed at times that they become hard to believe. Ms. Kohanov is an excellent storyteller, and I very much enjoyed the accounts of her personal experiences with horses. Epona Equestrian Services is performing a valuable service through equine-assisted therapy, but some of Ms. Kohanov's prose reads like an advertising brochure.All things considered, I am glad I read this book, and the positive insights outweighed the negative aspects. Should the author choose to write another book, I would recommend more storytelling and less advertising.
Rating: 
Summary: Why did I wait so long to read this book??
Review: I had picked this book up off and on in bookstores but had always decided against purchasing it. I guess I thought it sounded like a typical, superficial or just plain weird feel-good story for suckers out there. However,Kohanov beautifully connects horses to music, therapy, math/science, theology, and the human soul. Very well-rounded and wonderfully reserched. Obviously she is educated (either self taught or formal). I have been a horse owner for a number of years now and come from a horse-loving family (or at least a significant # of them). I have also had some very "bizarre" experiences with them. For example, I remember suddenly knowing that one of my horses was going to die when I was putting him back in the pasture. I know he knew it too-being particuarly affectionate but sad that weekend. I left on Mon. and he died in a freak accident in his pasture just before I began to head home from college the next Friday. My current gelding I've had for 6 years and I've had many experiences with him of this nature.
In short, I don't know how to put it but horses are a very "strange" animal. I've felt a deep bond with them since infancy (horse was one of the 1st words out of my mouth). I'm now about 25 and over the last few years have become more and more ashamed of this bond as I know many see it as childish or weird. So it's comforting to know there are others out there who have this bond too. Linda Kohanov is very much on target although I think she is missing some major pieces of the puzzle (of human and animal nature). I'm not so sure about the morphogenetic idea but it's a step in the right direction. Horses can be nasty at times but there is something about them that is very gentle, willing, and spiritual. Now I didn't care for the way "horse whispering" has become synonymous with melodrama, wishful thinking, and cheesiness. Linda Kohanov avoids that and is at once skeptical and open minded about the experiences in her book. And where did the other reviewers get the 'shameless business plugging?" I did not get that impression AT ALL and I detest marketing!! She mentions a few websites of artists etc. but not in a way to plug her business or theirs.
Rating:
Summary: Very misleading title
Review: I had to get 1/2 way through the book until she made any reference to Tao. Plenty of research and facts, and plugging her business, but she is also very down on men (I'm female). For me the book doesn't deliver what the title led me to expect.
Rating:
Summary: tao of equus
Review: i have been a horse woman for 52 years and feel that this is the most brilliant book i have ever read. i really admire the truth, courage, research, intellect, and love that linda has interwoven into her incredible story. i feel like horses have shaped the course of our human history, whether it has been through transportation, hunting, or war and now it is time to appreciate, and be aware of what these magnificiant creatures have to teach us about ourselves. this book has opened my heart, soul, and mind to a sense of communication, understanding, hope, joy, and peace within myself - all of this, through the way of the horse. heartfelt thanks to linda kohanov.
Rating:
Summary: The tao of equus
Review: I have just finised reading THE TAO OF EQUUS and have been inspired and feel its energy working through me as I continue on my persaonal journey of healing into wholeness. I am a Psychotherapist and have been in practice for the past 30 years and have worked with many abused and deeply wounded individuals. I have always worked toward the integration of body, mind and spirit. The first 10 years seemd to focus on the mind, then the next 10 on spirit and now using tools to release trauma from the body with the support of spirit and the clearing of the mind.
My Yoga instructor recommended this book to me back in the winter and it took me until this month to read it but the timing is perfect. It has supported and loosen up many issues that have presented themselves over the last weeks. Your book has served me very well.
I was so impressed with your BRIGHTNESS on so many levels. I continually appreciated your identitying resources for mythology, neuroscience, horse training and whispering. I have been so excited about your work and the gift you have given us with your glorious writing. I have always loved horses and have spent some time with them on and off through my life but never really understood the connection. In spring of 2003 I took a stone craving course and what came our of the alabster was a horse's head. IT is very primitive but it was such a joy watching this powerful creature come out of the stone. I had no intention of craving a horse. It was just there and showed itself to me. The name of the piece is EQUUS THE PRIMITIVE. I am not sure the primitive has more to do with my primitive understanding of THE HORSE or my rpimitive sculpting ability.
Your book really has made my heart happy, my soul searching and my mind inspired.
I thank you and look forward to reading Riding Between the Worlds. I hope at some time our roads may cross and I would be delighted to meet you.
Rating: 
Summary: Twisting the brain into unimaginable shapes
Review: I initially thought that surely she must be joking and that this is a putdown on new age pop psychology. Not so. This is the belly of the beast. One must be extraordinarily gullible or a gold medal wishful thinker to take this book seriously. The intellectual flaws are just too numerous to mention but there isn't anything I encountered (i.e., conceptually) that hasn't already been debunked in some other forum. The author seems unable to recognize how loose her reasoning processes are and how repeatedly she falls prey to self-delusion - hasn't she ever heard of "clever Hans?"
A fine book if you are looking for a fantasy fiction read but don't take it seriously. Then I noticed she was from Tucson - oh boy - so am I.
Rating:
Summary: Pleasantly Surprised
Review: I thought I was buying another "Horse Whisperer" book w/ a different perspective. I'm a Family Practice Nurse w/interests in developing my talents for certain integrative modialities that inc some Oriental Healing modialities. A lifelong horsewoman I'm also interested in communication w/ them.Its' the best Psychology book I've ever read as her information is so user friendly.Explanations of terms as depression&repression so 1 comesaway w/an understanding of what's happening to these people @ the most basic level& how to better understand them. It's actually about "Equine Assisted Psychotherapy" , what's proving to be a successful treatment for many mental illnesses
Rating:
Summary: Tao of Equus blew me away!
Review: I was fortunate to see Linda Kohanov at a book lecture and signing - she is a smart and talented horsewoman. The "Tao of Equus" is about equine-assisted therapy. When I was 7 years old I rode a pony that stopped on a hilltop. I wondered why, then I realized he stopped so we could share in the sunset, bird songs and slight breeze together. For the very first time in my life I experienced "oneness" and it was incredible. Everytime I have ridden a horse, I have felt more grounded in my body, more balanced, and truly happy. Equine are amazing animals and teachers. Linda Kohanov has put down in words various things I have felt but was not able to express. She has done a lot of research and has taken the time to explain why some people can't seem to heal or succeed in their lives. The reader learns how horses aid us in getting in touch with our authentic selves, help us gain confidence, heal repressed emotions, relationship skills, and more. I was moved to tears. Linda has explained how horses are not just mounts, they are wise friends of the heart, who teach us without judgement. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Tao of Equus blew me away!
Review: I was fortunate to see Linda Kohanov at a book lecture and signing - she is a smart and talented horsewoman. The "Tao of Equus" is about equine-assisted therapy. When I was 7 years old I rode a pony that stopped on a hilltop. I wondered why, then I realized he stopped so we could share in the sunset, bird songs and slight breeze together. For the very first time in my life I experienced "oneness" and it was incredible. Everytime I have ridden a horse, I have felt more grounded in my body, more balanced, and truly happy. Equine are amazing animals and teachers. Linda Kohanov has put down in words various things I have felt but was not able to express. She has done a lot of research and has taken the time to explain why some people can't seem to heal or succeed in their lives. The reader learns how horses aid us in getting in touch with our authentic selves, help us gain confidence, heal repressed emotions, relationship skills, and more. I was moved to tears. Linda has explained how horses are not just mounts, they are wise friends of the heart, who teach us without judgement. Enjoy!
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