A favorite storyteller sheds new light on the never-ending process of
becoming better for the horse.
Over 30 years ago, renowned horseman and popular storyteller Mark
Rashid's first book, Considering the Horse, was published. In it he
shared his experiences with horses and people, subtly delivering
practical lessons in horsemanship and life in a conversational style
that resonated with audiences around the world. Now Rashid considers all
that has happened in the years that have passed since that first book
was published--the transformative moments and impactful individuals who
have helped shape his philosophies and methods since then. With his
distinctive voice, he shepherds readers through topics of relevance in
the equestrian industry while telling more of his life story, resulting
in an engaging memoir-style read that remains rich in nuggets of wisdom
that you can put right to work in your daily interactions with horses.
In For the Love of the Horse, Rashid explores:
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Ways he tried to find his own way of being with horses without
actually knowing what he was looking for.
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How the art of aikido, and the teachers he had, changed his ideas
about life and relationships outside the dojo.
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How it feels to be soft (and how it feels to not be), and how Rashid
learned to stay true to the principles of softness as he understood
them, regardless of the situation.
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How he broke out of the pattern of assigning human emotions and
comprehension to horses.
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The impact neuroscientist Dr. Steve Peters had on Rashid's
understanding of the horse's behaviors and responses and how they
correlate to what is actually going on in the horse's brain.
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The power of observation and learning how to be still, even in the
midst of activity.
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The difference between trying to connect with the horse versus
allowing the horse to connect with you.
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How over time Rashid has shifted from trying techniques that alter a
horse's behavior, to adjusting his own thoughts, emotions, and
behaviors in order to help the horse feel safer.
In his familiar way, Rashid takes readers on a journey that rewards with
both adventure and education, finding new inroads in our attempts to
become better company and fairer caregivers to horses. With his
thoughtful lifetime of study leading by example, we are all encouraged
to consider how far horsemanship has come and how bright its future
might be.
