Synopses & Reviews
In Cherry Hills' groundbreaking bestseller,
How to Think Like a Horse, she took an in-depth look at how horses think, learn, and respond to stimuli, and interpret human behavior. In this fascinating follow-up,
What Every Horse Should Know, Hill continues her exploration of how horses learn with a focus on the knowledge every horse needs to live safely and confidently in the company of people. Mastering certain skills is critical to bringing out the full potential of the horse-human partnership.
As Hill states in her introduction, "Wild horses know everything they need to survive. They are complete. It's when we domesticate a horse and bring him into our world that he needs to learn new things in order to adapt." What Every Horse Should Know examines the lessons that are vital for every domesticated horse, whether a trail horse, dressage or jumper, rodeo or ranch horse. The book features sections on how to handle a horse without fear, how to teach respect and patience, and how to help the horse master the actual "work" he needs to do.
Written in clear, accessible language, accompanied by photographs, illustrations, and infographics, What Every Horse Should Know addresses all stages of a horse's life, from foalhood to old age. Readers can choose to start at the beginning and follow a sequence or enter at the appropriate point in a horse's life. There are tests for assessing the level of a horse's knowledge with suggestions on developing individualized tests. The final section of the book provides comprehensive training program checklists know according to his age.
For anyone intrigued by the workings of the equine mind and seeking insights into how to enrich and strengthen the horse-human relationship, What Every Horse Should Know is a fascinating and useful reference.
Synopsis
Train your horse to embrace a life around humans. Focusing on developing the skills vital for every domesticated horse, this guide stresses the importance of creating an atmosphere where both trainer and horse can overcome fear and cultivate mutual respect. With a series of tests to gauge your horse's knowledge and training exercises to enrich and strengthen your horse's comfort around people, you can increase attentiveness, boost confidence, and help your horse reach his full potential.
Synopsis
Essential Equine Lessons
Every horse should receive a basic education that prepares him to live safely and confidently in the company of humans, and it begins with easing common equine fears. Noted horsewoman Cherry Hill explains how to help a horse overcome wariness of human touch and restraint, develop trust in a rider or handler, and learn respect and patience. When a horse no longer surprised or frightened of people, procedures, and things, he has mastered his ABC's and is ready to learn to work calmly and willingly with a human partner.
These lessons will result in a solid, honest horse who is:
- Respectful and attentive
- Responsive yet controlled
- Confident and curious
- Comfortable with routine procedures
- Calm during the unexpected
- Easy to catch and willing to work
- Quiet at a hitch rail, in cross-ties, and alongside other horses
- Patient and level-headed when mounted
- Free of separation anxiety
- Supple, steady, and balanced in motion
About the Author
Cherry Hill is an internationally known instructor and horse trainer and has written numerous books, including
101 Arena Exercises, Horsekeeping on a Small Acreage, How to Think Like a Horse, What Every Horse Should Know, Horse Care for Kids, Becoming an Effective Rider, Horse Handling and Grooming, Horse Health Care, Stablekeeping, Trailering Your Horse, Horse Hoof Care, 101 Horsemanship & Equitation Patterns, Equipping Your Horse Farm, and
Cherry Hill's Horsekeeping Almanac. Hill is also the author of Storey's popular Arena Pocket Guides, six handy ringside manuals titled
Beginning English Exercises, Intermediate English Exercises, Advanced English Exercises, Beginning Western Exercises, Intermediate Western Exercises, and
Advanced Western Exercises.
Table of Contents
Contents
What Do Horses Need to Know?
Part One - No Fear
Chapter 1 No Fear of People
Chapter 2 No Fear of Restriction or Restraint
Chapter 3 No Fear of Things
Chapter 4 No Fear of Restriction by People with Things
Part Two - Leadership and Partnership
Chapter 5 Respect
Chapter 6 Attitude and Attention
Chapter 7 Patience
Chapter 8 Yielding
Part Three - The Work
Chapter 9 Forward into Contact
Chapter 10 Bending and Flexing
Chapter 11 Steady and Straight
Chapter 12 Lateral Work
Chapter 13 Balance
Chapter 14 Pulling It All Together
Chapter 15 Goals
Afterword
Index