Here renowned trainer Mark Rashid introduces us to his revolutionary method for training horses. His sensitive, thoughtful approach emphasizes the importance of balance, and has led some to refer to him as a real-life horse whisperer. "It has always been my contention that working with horses is, or at least should be, a delicate balancing act between finding how much or how little direction it will take to help the horse we are working with understand whatever it is we are trying to teach. Too little direction and our efforts might become ineffective. Too much direction and we may develop resistance and animosity between our horse and us." With this sensitive, thoughtful approach, Rashid challenges the conventional wisdom of "alpha leadership" and teaches the reader to become a "passive leader"-a human counterpart to the kind of horse other members of a herd choose to associate with and to follow. Applying Rashid's principles and techniques helps cultivate horse personalities that are responsive and dependable regardless of the rider. Reliving Rashid's experiences with him, you will come to feel the same sort of compassion and appreciation for your horses that you do for the people in your life. This edition features additional notes at the end of each chapter that contribute to a more complete understanding of Rashid's methods and philosophy.

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: - Ways he tried to find his own way of being with horses without actually knowing what he was looking for. - How the art of aikido, and the teachers he had, changed his ideas about life and relationships outside the dojo. - 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. - How he broke out of the pattern of assigning human emotions and comprehension to horses. - 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. - The power of observation and learning how to be still, even in the midst of activity. - The difference between trying to connect with the horse versus allowing the horse to connect with you. - 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.

Learn the underlying principles of speaking both "horse" and "human" from an internationally acclaimed horseman. Life Lessons from a Ranch Horse describes celebrated horse trainer Mark Rashid's experiences with one special--and especially challenging--horse named Buck. Mark finds that Buck's unique personality teaches him a wealth of information about how to build a strong relationship with what may initially seem like a difficult horse. During his time with Buck, Mark not only trains Buck but also observes how Buck "trains" other horses in order to maintain a stable and respectful group. Mark comes to understand that there are six underlying principles to both Buck and Mark's most successful horse training techniques: non-confrontation, planning ahead, patience, persistence, consistency, and "fix it and move on." The second half of the book is devoted to demonstrating how horse owners can apply the six principles to their own experiences in horse training. Mark Rashid is unique among writers of horse training books for his skill at teaching trainers to lead by example rather than by force, using clear and consistent methods. In the afterword, Mark Rashid reflects on what he has learned since first writing about Buck, and how Buck's life allowed Mark to dramatically improve his own emotional and physical well-being. Life Lessons from a Ranch Horse is essential reading for all compassionate horse owners who care about cultivating a mutually respectful and satisfying relationship with their horses.

"Chances are real good that if a person is indecisive, angry, scattered, hesitant, belligerent, argumentative, bossy, or impatient in everyday life, he is bound to bring those same qualities to his horsemanship, and in turn, his horse will tend to reflect those qualities. By the same token, if a person is patient, calm, willing, quiet, self-confident, focused, and dependable, it is more than likely to be those qualities the horse will reflect." -Mark Rashid Here is compelling meditation from renowned horseman Mark Rashid on all the ways that the principles we apply in our dealings with fellow humans can apply to our relationships with our horses, and vice versa. Rashid describes how his discovery of the Japanese martial art aikido helped reenergize his commitment to positive horse training and self-improvement at a time when his dedication was flagging, with negative consequences for his health. He began taking classes in aikido and, with dedicated training, came to recognize its transformative effects on his sense of self. He found his mental and physical communication with others had improved greatly, and understood the incredible benefits that aikido might hold for greater emotional balance and understanding between a horse and its rider during training. By sharing his examples from personal experience with horses in the lively and engaging style that has made his earlier books so successful, Rashid shows us how the things he learned can be applied to guide you further on your path with horses. This is a book you'll want to share with your friends and relatives, whether they are horse lovers or not. Every reader will find something new about how to form a more mutually communicative relationship with a horse you have, or hope to have one day in the future. Horsemanship Through Life is about awareness, learning, teaching, honesty, integrity, and much more. It is about more than tips or technique; it is about principles to live by. It is about taking responsibility for our lives and our relationships with horses and humans. It doesn't take long to read, but will be with you for life. Experience the profound lessons of this inspiring book.

Internationally acclaimed horse trainer Mark Rashid shares and analyzes the remarkable events, quiet moments, and humbling stumbling blocks that—looking back—he can identify as significant in his personal journey to finding “softness” with both horses and people. “Softness,” via what many in the horse world today might refer to as “feel,” begins, Rashid says, with one simple truth: “It’s not about what we do that starts us on the path to softness, but rather, it’s what we don’t do.” Softness is having the sensitivity we need in order to feel when and if the horse tries to “give.”It is about develping the kind of awareness and feel it takes to know when we are working against our horses, rather than with them. In these forthright stories, readers get a glimpse of a life that has produced a man known for his ability to solve difficult problems with communication rather than force, as well as methods and techniques gleaned from decades of work with horses, horse people, and the “way of harmony” through the martial arts.