Horses Never Lie

Mark Rashid shares experiences from his decades as a horse trainer, centered around lessons learned from an old horseman he calls "the Old Man." The book follows Rashid's journey from his early days working with horses to his development of a training philosophy focused on partnership rather than dominance. The narrative includes accounts of specific horses and their unique challenges, demonstrating different approaches to horsemanship through real examples. Through these stories, Rashid illustrates the contrast between traditional training methods and his alternative "passive leadership" technique. The horses themselves become teachers, revealing insights about communication, trust, and the true nature of leadership. Rashid documents both successes and setbacks in his evolution as a horseman. At its core, this book explores the relationship between humans and horses while challenging conventional wisdom about dominance-based training methods. The lessons extend beyond horsemanship into broader reflections about patience, respect, and genuine connection.

Readers appreciate Rashid's calm, storytelling approach to horsemanship through personal anecdotes. Many note his focus on working with each horse's individual personality rather than forcing compliance. Reviews highlight the practical training methods and emphasis on patience over dominance. Likes: - Clear explanations of horse psychology and behavior - Realistic examples from Rashid's experience - Techniques for building trust with horses - Writing style that connects with both beginners and experienced riders Dislikes: - Some find the narrative style repetitive - A few readers wanted more specific training instructions - Critics note overlap with his other books Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (380+ ratings) Common reader comment: "Changed my perspective on horse training" Critical review: "Good concepts but too much storytelling, not enough how-to" Review from experienced trainer on Goodreads: "Offers practical solutions without gimmicks or special equipment - just understanding of horse behavior"

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Think Harmony With Horses by Ray Hunt An examination of horse-human relationships that focuses on working with the horse's mind rather than forcing compliance.

The Faraway Horses by Buck Brannaman The journey of a horseman who learned to train horses through patience and understanding rather than dominance.

🐎 Author Mark Rashid began working with horses at age nine under the guidance of an elderly horseman he refers to as "the Old Man," whose gentle methods shaped Rashid's future philosophy. 🌟 The book introduces the concept of "passive leadership" with horses, contrasting it with the more common dominance-based training methods prevalent in the equestrian world. 🤠 Rashid has trained horses in multiple disciplines, including dressage, reining, and cattle work, and has conducted clinics in various countries including England, Scotland, Australia, and Denmark. 📚 The principles discussed in "Horses Never Lie" were developed through Rashid's real-world experiences with thousands of horses, including many considered "problem horses" by their owners. 🎬 In addition to being an author and horse trainer, Mark Rashid is a third-degree black belt in Yoshinkan Aikido, and he frequently draws parallels between this martial art's principles and his horse training methods.