For the Love of the Horse: Looking Back, Looking Forward

by Mark Rashid, Stephen Peters M.S., Psy.D., ABPN (Foreword by)

Overview

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:

• 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781646011407
Publisher:	Trafalgar Square
Publication date:	10/14/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	919,923
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Mark Rashid is an internationally acclaimed horse trainer known for his ability to understand the horse's point of view and solve difficult problems with communication rather than force. He began working with horses at age ten, when he met the "old man" who taught him to work with horses, not against them, and to listen to what the horse is trying to say. Rashid then studied the martial arts as a way to improve his horsemanship, and he has now earned a third-degree black belt in Yoshinkan aikido, teaches the "way of harmony" in the local dojo, and is the founder of aibado. Rashid has been a guest on NPR and was featured on the Nature series. He is the author of many bestselling books, including Finding the Missed Path, Journey to Softness, and Out of the Wild, a novel and major motion picture. Rashid's clinics are immensely popular around the world. He lives in Estes Park, Colorado (markrashid.com).

Mark Rashid is an internationally acclaimed horse trainer known for his ability to understand the horse's point of view and solve difficult problems with communication rather than force. He began working with horses at age ten, when he met the "old man" who taught him to work with horses, not against them, and to listen to what the horse is trying to say. Rashid then studied the martial arts as a way to improve his horsemanship, and he has now earned a third-degree black belt in Yoshinkan aikido, teaches the "way of harmony" in the local dojo, and is the founder of aibado. Rashid has been a guest on NPR and was featured on the Nature series. He is the author of many bestselling books, including Finding the Missed Path, Journey to Softness, and Out of the Wild, a novel and major motion picture. Rashid's clinics are immensely popular around the world. He lives in Estes Park, Colorado (markrashid.com).

Table of Contents

Foreword vii

Preface ix

Chapter 1 The Book That Almost Wasn't 1

An Introduction to the Past 15

Chapter 2 Planted Seeds 17

Chapter 3 A Blurry Path 33

Chapter 4 The Clouds Part 49

Chapter 5 The Art in the Art 61

Chapter 6 Staying True 69

Why Do Horses Do What They Do? 79

Chapter 7 The Horse's Perspective 81

Chapter 8 The Horse's Brain 101

Chapter 9 New Revelations 121

Internal Elements of Horsemanship 137

Chapter 10 Watch and Learn 139

Chapter 11 Connection 147

Chapter 12 A Shift of Perspective 161

Considering the Horse-Thirty Years Later 179

Chapter 13 Looking Back, Looking Forward 181

Afterword: A Visit from Walter 191

Editorial Reviews

"This wonderful book is a combination of memoir, philosophical musings, and practical horse training advice. You won't read step-by-step instructions on how to train, but you will get wonderful stories about all kinds of horses and people who Rashid has learned from over this life. I highly recommend this entertaining book!" —Northwest Horse Source

"Rashid’s storytelling ability and compassion for horses are front and center. A lovely read that sets the tone for a thoughtful future for the attuned equestrian trainer to develop." —Catskill Horse Magazine 

“If you liked Mark Rashid’s other books, you will want to hurry and pick up this newest one. It is hands down my favorite of his works. This book will appeal to a wide variety of horsemen. Whether you are brand-new to horses or have ridden for fifty years, I think everyone who is on a quest to be better with horses will find this book valuable. For the love of the horse, indeed.” —The Backyard Horse Blog 

From the Publisher