Customer Reviews

The Horse's Choice

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He would just laugh and tell you that he was right all along.... Did you know that your problem horse's problem is YOU? Or if not you, then a previous owner or handler. Your horse knows and he is trying to tell you. Staci Layne Wilson also knows, and this is the approach she takes when she explains why a horse has a problem. The good thing with this book is that it not only tells you how to cure a problem - it also explains why the problem arose in the first place and how to avoid that it re-occurs. So, even if you don't have a problem horse at home, this book is a definite must! The book takes its starting point in the natural horsemanship methods. Staci Wilson has studied these methods for years and has found her own method to incorporate them into her training in a way that they are adjusted to fit the kind of horse she's working with. She does this in her book by describing how different kinds of horses need different approaches. All the time throughout the book Staci Wilson considers what will be the most natural thing for the horse to do in a given situation, and she adjusts her training advises accordingly. The book is a must for beginners and intermediate riders, but even if you are experienced like myself, there is something you can use in this book. Things you maybe just hadn't thought of in the first place. The training methods are easy to understand, and more important: Easy to follow as well. Staci Wilson puts a lot of significance into the aspect of safety, which I think is very important. The book also emphasizes that being a good horseman requires a lot of time and work, which is true. Nothing comes from nothing, and as the book says, it's you and your horse who must walk the walk - no trainer can do it for you. But when you read this book the walk won't feel as long and it will be a lot easier because you get to know the basics and how to work your way up from there. A simple thing like the horse's flight instinct is the root of most kinds of problems and Staci tells you why that it is and how to avoid getting yourself or your horse into trouble. And the methods described in this book makes it both fun and interesting to work with your horse! Results show quickly and both of you get something out of the deal and will end up a lot happier. The book is illustrated with great photos and it is very humourously written! I was laughing a lot while I read it - Staci Wilson hits home every time she describes a situation. I read it in one sitting too - you simply cannot put it down! Needless to say I find this book absolutely great.

And for you who also enjoyed the excerpt from Staci Layne Wilson's next novel, The Dance: You can look forward to reading the rest! I've read the whole script (in one sitting as well..) and it continues in the same fun and enthralling style - just even more so!

The Horse's Choice covers horse training from both a horse's perspective and a human's perspective, explaining what motivates your horse's behavior, and how to get him to respond to you using brains and compassion instead of brute strength. With compelling, easily understood examples, The Horse's Choice covers everything from the first-time horse purchase to caring for your horse, establishing training routines, and correcting problem behaviors. Written in an engaging, knowledgeable manner, horse expert Staci Layne Wilson has produced an excellent guide to the compassionate care and training of your horse that you'll want to study from cover to cover. Highly recommended!

Finally a training book for all of us. Hats or should I say helmets off to Ms. Wilson! I am no longer a horse rider but a horse driver and very few books have info that I can relate to my new discipline. Staci has such a wonderful amount of practicle advice for every discipline. Lots of ground work that I have put to use with my latest member of my horsey family, Sugar a white welsh/shetland pony with a small amount of training. Already I see a change in her ground manners! Wow and Thanks to Ms. Wilson for some real down to earth advice. I like her honesty with mistakes she has made as all of us have, and her help in trying not to repeat them. This book is for the beginner yes but also for those of us who want to get back to the basics. We can all use a trip back to the beginning and we will be amazed at how many bad habits we and our mounts have picked up. Thank you Ms. Wilson for showing us a way to make better riders/drivers of us and happier horses or ponies. You have a wonderful understanding of our equine friends and I hope to see more in the future when you "learn a bit more" [as she said never believe anyone who says they know it all about horses] and care enough to share it with us and our horses.

This book is chock full of very usable/hands-on advice/information on horse and pony training. Even though I have had my horse at several riding clinics, nobody ever pointed out that my horse was overbitted. By just following the advice on bitting, my horse is now much more responsive and has not balked even once when out trail riding. I have also learned to hold the reins with a much gentler hand. All in all, I feel I have not only helped myself, but I have also helped my horse as well. As another reviewer mentioned, I think every horse should come equipped with this book. Instead of teaching you to train your horse, this book teaches you to understand your horse so that the training becomes a learning/understanding process for both you and your horse.

This book should be read by anyone who really wants to learn what it takes to have a gift, or a way, with horses. The Horse's Choice gives you an understanding of how horses think and learn, so that you can in turn be more sympathetic, learning to do things with the horse, not TO the horse, so that the horse can be a willing and happy partner and enjoy your company. The content is very informative and the photography is done well too. I think this book should accompany every horse sold, actually. This book is really good for beginners, but like the description on the back says, its also helpful for experienced riders (or those who THINK they are).

A friend of mine got an advance copy of this book and shared it with me. At first I thought 90 pages was kind of sparse, but the information packed into this book is phenominal! When you consider it's $25 an hour minimum for most trainers, this book is a steal. It really answers "what if" problems, like, "What if my horse spooks in traffic?" rather than just telling you how to cure spooking at home. Also, I liked the writing style. It wasn't at all dry or technical.

Here's a trainer who talks to you, not down to you. I felt like she could be a riding buddy! I could really relate to alot of the stories and I learned alot too. The pictures are really fun and I had to chuckle at some of them, and the anecdotes too! I give this book two hooves up.

This book is a must for all horse owners as it gives some wonderful information and is very well written by an author who not only knows how to write - but how to read horses!!!!
Have to say I do really like some of the photos..... lol
Cheers.....
Shell Coburn
(Michelle Williams was my maiden name - I took some of the photos in the book! :) )

this book is really neat because there are funny stories about the horses in it. i learned some new things, but i also enjoyed myself in the bargain. i also thought the pictures were neat, because they showed some ponies and different breeds. i am not quite finished yet, but i already know this book will be a good ref if i need it to cure a problem, like if my horse ever gets barnsour or something. my horse is pretty good, but i learned that i shouldn't be using a curb bit on her. i never knew how bits worked before. i really like this book!

I think this book would be great for 4-H and Pony Club. Its suitable for kids, but great for adults with riding experience, too. This book is one of the few I've read that really does have something for everyone. Great advice, with a personal touch.