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Book Suggestions

3K views 18 replies 13 participants last post by  Ray MacDonald 
#1 ·
I know that natural horsemanship can be a touch subject for people: Who to listen to, what techniques to use, etc.

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions of books I could buy to help teach natural horsemanship. If you have a suggestion, tell me why you like that particular book or person. Thanks!
 
#4 ·
I have looked into Clinton Anderson and Parelli. I recomend both Downunder Horsemanship (Anderson), and Natural Horsemanship (Parelli). I am just getting into nh too, and I found both of these books to be very helpful.
 
#5 ·
I LOVE books by Mark Rashid. Now keep in mind that most of his books are more about the art of natural horsemanship and not so much step by step manuals. If you're looking for that type of book I recommend Craig Cameron's. His are easy to follow and I think his methods are sound.

Mark Rashid has the *best* philosophy about horses and natural horsemanship, imo. I love his books. They read like novels but they are very educational. H

One of the things I like most about his method is that he challenges the notion of being the "alpha" in your relationship with the horse. He points out that in every herd, there is an alpha, and then there is a leader...the horse that everyone listens to and gravitates towards and follows. This is not the same horse as the alpha--the horse that is bossing everyone around. He stresses being the leader in the relationship--the one that your horse seeks out for leadership. NOT the bossy dictator. LOL. I love it!
 
#6 ·
I just posted on this the other day because I found a book I fell in love with.
It's called Mastering Natural Horsemanship' By David McMahon & Eric Bravo. I bought the e book version of it for $4.99 and read it immediately.

I'm not exactly sure if youre looking for a 'how to' or something more general, but this book has 8 excercizes in it for you to try along with other tips for more general stuff.

I'm not a parelli fan (don't eat me, guys!) and I normally think alot of the people that 'say' they are 'natural' are not. I even hate the term because it's so silly. But, I found this book and I tried three of the excercizes in it and they worked like a charm, no yelling, no screaming, no foot stomping. So, I'm a total Eric Bravo fan, anyhow.

Good Luck!!
 
#8 ·
I have the Natural Horse.Man.Ship by Pat Parelli (published by Western Horseman). I really liked it, though after you read it it does help to watch some videos to help give you a visual of the techniques ;)
I know he has some other books out there as well, but this book i've found in most tack stores, whereas (in my area anyhow) it is impossible to find stuff by Clinton Anderson or any other NH trainer.

I know it's not a NH book, but i also have "The Revised Horseman's Scrapbook" by Randy Steffen. It's a really neat book though hard to explain lol Basically an illustrated book of handy little horseman tips (working with horses as well as building stuff).
 
#9 ·
I also LOVE Mark Rashid's books. All of them are fantastic and Horses Never Lie is the one that goes into detail on the alpha/leader philosophy which really hits home for me. Also, I recommend Kathleen Lindley's book In The Company of Horses. She was Mark's assistant for a couple years and has great insights into his methods from an outsider's POV.

I also recommend True Horsemanship Through Feel by Bill Dorrance and Leslie Desmond. Thick and meaty. Takes a couple read throughs to get all of it, but it's a worthy addition to your bookshelf.
 
#11 ·
Thanks for all the suggestions! I guess I'm looking for more of a step by step, comprehensive guide. This whole thing is new to me, but I want to have a better relationship with my horses.
 
#12 ·
It's already been mentioned here, but I'll add that True Horsemanship Through Feel is my horsey Bible.

It's not so much that Bill gives you a step-by-step program, although he does describe a lot of steps/skills, but most of all, he reminds you to approach your horse with "feel", which is all that your horse has to go on. People get into trouble when they try to interact with horses without "feel".
 
#13 ·
I think it is so great that many people on this forum do not want to have power trip relationships with their horses. Being a good leader does not involve dictatorship - who wants that. I've not read Mark Rashid but I like how he is detailing the leadership role - very cool. I've thought it should be 51/49 ratio but I also know that I actually like to know what my horse is thinking about which comes in really handy when you're out trail riding. Horses sense all sorts of things way before we do - I mean how great is that! I've read quite a few books over the years but for a step by step how to guide I really find the DVDs to be better.
 
#14 ·
Buy the old parelli book from 1993! "Natural horse man ship"
It has all the exercises in one place, with pictures. Its great and I think that's partly because it was before the commercialization! I found it very very helpful.

$8 On Amazon.com used!
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#17 ·
Book suggestions

Actually Books and Videos are only going to get you so far, another pair of eye sis really necessary to progress. If you cannot find a instructor close get a fellow NH fan to watch you and critique you as yo learn the program. As Dennis REis says buy all the programs (Craig Cameron Clinton Anderson Lyons and Parelli) and it will still be cheaper than an week in ICU.
This is your life we are talking about, And it, is so hard to relearn it the right way after you have learned it wrong .
I used to not like Lyons because he broke things down "too much" but now I see Dennis doing the same thing and I appreciate it so much because the little things mean so much!
 
#19 ·
I love Monty Roberts! He is my hero! I also just bought one of his books last week! I also bought two of Clinton Andersons books. One more book that I bought is about getting your horse in shape and has LOTS of really cool and interesting exercises to do with your horse!!

I'll try to post again what it is called but right now I have to do earth hour!! we are shutting down our power for one hour!
 
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