Walking the Way of the Horse: Exploring the Power of the Horse-Human Relationship [Englisch] [Taschenbuch]

As a practitioner of Equine Facilitated Mental Health Services, I am very excited about this book. It brings practical information, training and guidance to practitioners and students alike who are seeking to raise the bar of professionalism and training in our young and slightly out-of-control field. This book is destined to be a sought-after text book for college and graduate students and practitioners who want to learn safe, ethical and effective ways of working with horses and humans.
One reason for the large size of this book is the fact that in reality, this book is two books in one. The first half of the book (chapters one through eleven) comprises a stand-alone book covering the history of the horse-human relationship; the history of the field of Equine Facilitated Mental Health and Education Services; and theoretical perspectives and ethical considerations for EFMH/ES services. The second half of the book (chapters twelve through twenty-one) is a second complete book, covering eight different methods of theory and practice in EFMH/ES work. Each book could have been published separately, but the need for a comprehensive text book necessitated that all this information be included in one large volume.
Section Three (chapters nine through eleven) is titled "Overview of Theoretical, Ethical and Educational Aspects of Providing an EFMH/ES Method." This section may be the most important section of the book in helping to ensure the safety, ethics and ongoing development of our young, vibrant and frequently confusing and unsafe field of practice. In this section, Leif provides definitions of commonly used and frequently mis-understood terminology; ethical considerations for EFMH/ES work, including competence, informed consent, confidentiality, dual relationships and touch; and the importance of cross-training and ongoing personal growth for all who practice in any capacity in this marvelous field.
Section Four (chapters twelve through nineteen) is titled "Equine Facilitated Mental Health and Educational Services: Methods of Theory and Practice." This is the only attempt I am aware of where an individual has tried to define, categorize and accurately describe the current myriad of services and methods of practice in the ever-widening field of EFMH/ES. My hat goes off to the author for attempting this enormous feat and for helping all of us to more accurately understand the wide variety of practices in this field. She has categorized the majority of the services currently being offered in the field into the following divisions: Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy, Equine Facilitated Counseling, Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, Equine Facilitated Brief Intensives, Equine Facilitated Learning, Equine Assisted Education, Equine Facilitated Professional Coaching and Equine Facilitated Human Development.
Each of these chapters contains some of the following information about that particular method: an introduction; key concepts; the therapeutic or educational process; therapeutic or educational techniques, processes and procedures; the role of the horse; the role of the instructor; an example; and a summary and evaluation.
This book is merely the first edition. It is my hope that in time, this book will be edited, updated, expanded, re-printed and that it will become a widely used and frequently updated resource for all in the field. The black and white photographs are too small and grainy to adequately convey their messages. It is my hope that future editions of the book will include larger photographs with higher quality printing that will better communicate the author's intent in including them. Also, the photo captions in the first edition are written in an impractically tiny font size. The book contains typographical errors which will be corrected in the second edition.
But these publishing issues do not in any way undermine the tremendous value of this book, nor my gratitude to the author for this labor of love. I am enthusiastically encouraging every practitioner and student in the field of Equine Facilitated Mental Health and Education Services, and all persons who are interested and want to learn more about this exciting field, to read this book. I am thrilled that my chosen field now has a comprehensive, up-to-date text book that accurately reflects the current conditions and trends in our field and gives practical guidance to those wanting more information about legally, ethically, safely and effectively partnering with horses in the healing process.

Martha McNiel, LMFT, TRI, CEFIP-MH
DreamPower Horsemanship
San Martin, CA

Ms Hallberg has created the ultimate resource for the rapidly growing field of Equine Assisted Mental Health and Learning. Her book was extensively and passionately researched, with great detail and vision. This book will be the basic text, the foundational reading for all my students in the Prescott College Master's in Counseling, with a concentration in Equine Assisted Mental Health Program. It will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of theory and practice, as well as introducing experienced practioners to the wide range of applicability outside of their knowledge base. Leif's extensive research has resulted in the most clearly defined, Best Practices explanation of the work available so far. She combines her own years of experience with the wisdom and experience of many professionals practicing in and defining the field today.
It is a must read for anyone intrested in this emerging application of the horse-human relationship for mutual growth and wellness. Thanks Leif, your Awesome!!!

Laura Brinckerhoff MA, LPC, LISAC
Core Faculty/ Prescott College MAP/EAMH
Director EAMH Services/ Cottonwood De Tucson

Upon finding this book, I am so happy to have it as a comprehensive source for educational, academic and research to date in this field. The author presents a balanced review of all the different approaches to utilizing horses in the field of mental health, counseling and education. She presents the most cmprehensive listing and review of current research in the field and offers many additional rsources and references for the reader to pursue for further information. Ms. Hallberg has put together years of personal and professional experience as well as the expertise of others in the field. I highly recommend it as a text for equine-assisted/facilitated programs and for those interested in this exciting field of human development and growth. T. Chase