As a student of naturalhorsemanship I can't say enough good things about this book. Kate has created a wonderful blend of story and infomation. Books on NHS can be difficult to read and absorb. They also tend not to give a sense of the time that can be involved along the way. Of elements like learning your timing and feel, and how that plays into the learning process...for the trainer and the horse. Kate provides a wonderful narative along with the information that gives others interested in this approach a sense of the time involved. Not that it takes a LONG time, but when you see an experienced horseman get through to a horse in a few hours... and it takes you a few weeks, that can be discouraging ... you see in Kates story it does take some time..it does for EVERYONE that adopts this approach to working with horses... and sometimes it cold out, and sometimes its raining and you are wet to the skin... and that you're there for as long as it takes... and when you look back in a few months to see how far you and your horses have come, thats when you see the results and the progress in both of you...
This approach works for all horses, all owners/trainers and you don't have to be 'handy' with a rope when you start.. you just have to have the conviction to keep going out there and trying again.. and again.. until it starts to come together...
A really good read for those curious about the 'horse whisperer' tactics to find out whats really happening and that its not magic, its basic communication...
Thank you so much Kate for documenting your experience.
