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Summary: Understanding Natural Horsemanship
Review: This book is not for someone looking for a quick fix. Bill and Tom Dorrance and the other natural horsemanship authors provide the reader with more or less an operator's manual for the horse, explaining how and why a horse responds (operates) to various stimuli including the rider and handler.Horsemanship is (or should be) a skilled athletic endeavor. No athlete worth his or her salt would undertake a sport without first understanding it. These texts aid in building a strong foundation in the horse from which things like loping, lateral movement, transitions and similar activities flow. The premise is simple. Understand the horse, keep him mentally clear and physically in balance, work in harmony, develop the "whole horse" and succeed. Want a quick fix? Trade the horse in for a video game. Want your horse to work well? Understand what he is and cover the basics. The Dorrances understand horses. Leslie Desmond, no lightweight herself, is good at explaining things. If you want to understand your horse, this is the kind of material you should be reading.
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Summary: Wonderful book - all horse owners should own this!
Review: This is a wonderful book. This author has been the mentor for all of the current top teaching professionals relative to horses and communication (i.e. Pat Parelli, Buck Brannaman, Clinton Anderson, Dennis Reis, etc.). Every horse owner should buy this book if you never buy another. Learning to speak "horse" is the ultimate way of communicating with your horses. It is amazing what you can do utilizing these techniques. If your horse is one of the calmest or the most spirited, you can learn to help yourself and your horse. A truly inspiring book. Everyone should be willing to take the time to learn so you can have the ultimate partnership with your horses. The horse world would be much better overall if everyone aspired to the techniques in this book. It's a shame some people will never know the joy and wonder of such a wonderful relationship - it's more of a shame for the horses these people own. This is just a great book!
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Summary: Wonderful book - all horse owners should own this!
Review: This is a wonderful book. This author has been the mentor for all of the current top teaching professionals relative to horses and communication (i.e. Pat Parelli, Buck Brannaman, Clinton Anderson, Dennis Reis, etc.). Every horse owner should buy this book if you never buy another. Learning to speak "horse" is the ultimate way of communicating with your horses. It is amazing what you can do utilizing these techniques. If your horse is one of the calmest or the most spirited, you can learn to help yourself and your horse. A truly inspiring book. Everyone should be willing to take the time to learn so you can have the ultimate partnership with your horses. The horse world would be much better overall if everyone aspired to the techniques in this book. It's a shame some people will never know the joy and wonder of such a wonderful relationship - it's more of a shame for the horses these people own. This is just a great book!
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Summary: True Horsemanship Through Feel
Review: This is an outstanding book for anyone wanting to deepen their understanding of horses and improve their horsemanship. Bill Dorrance is true to life and his lively spirit shines through in this book. He is successful in explaining how to use "feel" to get things working for you and your horse. Bill is consistant in his approach and stresses a good foundation which is important no matter what your riding discipline. How wonderful that Leslie Desmond was able to capture this matster horseman's techniques in print. I could not put this book down until it was finished. Within days of trying some of the techniques in this book I saw subtle but good changes in my horses. This book is an excellent resource to be used. If you work with horses, you should read this book. It will open your mind to this better way, horsemanship through feel, and will get feel working for you and your horse.
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Summary: The Title Says it All
Review: True Horsemanship Through Feel could not be any more appropriately titled. As others have stated, there are no quick fixes here, only the door to a new relationship with your horse for those willing to pay attention to the little things that make all the difference. I have trained two horses since purchasing this book and reading it over and over. Neither horse carried a rider until they were four. Both come down out of their lush pasture if they THINK we might go riding. I take care of them, to include trimming their feet and saddling them in the pasture, without putting a rope on them. I'm very happy with the way they turned out. My horses want to be with me and look to me for reassurance. They are a pleasure to be around and are just as "broken" after a three month layoff as they were the day the snow started flying. This book is a great addition to the horsemanship library. Don't be put off by the price--most horse books may be cheaper, but they only get read once. This one will be read over and over. Take the time to study "True Horsemanship Through Feel" and you will find new depth in your other videos, tapes, and books on round-penning and non-threatening horse-training. It doesn't replace the others--it adds value to them. The understanding you will gain will allow you to find and stand on common ground and to help develop your own style that works for both you and your horses. It is all about communicating in terms the horse can understand. The understanding and communication will set you free.
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