The Soul of a Horse: Life Lessons from the Herd (Hardcover)

by Joe Camp (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
“One cannot help but be touched by Camp’s love and sympathy for animals and by his eloquence on the subject.”
—Michael Korda, The Washington Post

“Heartwarming, joyful and triumphant lightly describes this literary gem by Joe Camp, author, producer, director and, now, horseman. Not just for horse lovers but for anyone who has loved any living creature.”
—True Cowboy Magazine

“This book is absolutely fabulous! An amazing, amazing book. You’re going to love it.”
—Janet Parshall’s America

“Who should read this book? Every person who has a relationship with a horse, other animals, spouse, family, or other humans. So that includes just about everybody.”
—The Rider Magazine

“Joe Camp is a gifted storyteller and when he turns his talents to his newest passion, the horse, the results are magical. Few veteran horsemen can impart the insights about horses that Joe Camp, a relative newcomer, has done in his book The Soul of a Horse. Joe entertains, educates and empowers, baring his own soul while articulating keystone principles of a modern revolution in horsemanship.”
—Rick Lamb, TV/Radio host "The Horse Show,” Author of Human to Horseman

“One does not have to love horses to appreciate Joe Camp’s new book, The Soul of a Horse. And those who don’t already love horses surely will by the time they finish reading.”
—Bloggernews

“Joe Camp’s The Soul of a Horse: Life Lessons from the Herd presents the history and majesty of equines in a way that truly touches the heart weaving an engaging tapestry of writings that explore the evolutionary development of horses along with Camp’s present day relationship with the horses that have chosen him as their leader. A treasure map leading to ... --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Review
“One cannot help but be touched by Camp’s love and sympathy for animals and by his eloquence on the subject.”
—Michael Korda, The Washington Post

“Heartwarming, joyful and triumphant lightly describes this literary gem by Joe Camp, author, producer, director and, now, horseman. Not just for horse lovers but for anyone who has loved any living creature.”
—True Cowboy Magazine

“This book is absolutely fabulous! An amazing, amazing book. You’re going to love it.”
—Janet Parshall’s America

“Who should read this book? Every person who has a relationship with a horse, other animals, spouse, family, or other humans. So that includes just about everybody.”
—The Rider Magazine

“Joe Camp is a gifted storyteller and when he turns his talents to his newest passion, the horse, the results are magical. Few veteran horsemen can impart the insights about horses that Joe Camp, a relative newcomer, has done in his book The Soul of a Horse. Joe entertains, educates and empowers, baring his own soul while articulating keystone principles of a modern revolution in horsemanship.”
—Rick Lamb, TV/Radio host "The Horse Show,” Author of Human to Horseman

“One does not have to love horses to appreciate Joe Camp’s new book, The Soul of a Horse. And those who don’t already love horses surely will by the time they finish reading.”
—Bloggernews

“Joe Camp’s The Soul of a Horse: Life Lessons from the Herd presents the history and majesty of equines in a way that truly touches the heart weaving an engaging tapestry of writings that explore the evolutionary development of horses along with Camp’s present day relationship with the horses that have chosen him as their leader. A treasure map leading to untold riches.”
—The World Magazine

“Joe Camp … writes about horses with empathy, curiosity, and a deep regard for equine instincts and behavior. He began to question why horsemen used traditional methods of horse care, and pursued a more natural path to training and horsemanship. He turned his horses out, applied natural hoof care principles, and relished the new insights herd behavior gave him -- into not only horses, but into himself, too. It’s a book that encourages the reader, gently, to step into the herd and learn.”
—Horse and Rider

“You will never look at a horse race, or a herd of mustangs, or even the canine of dubious parentage that is lounging on your couch, the same way.”
—Las Vegas Review-Journal

“The tightly written, simply designed . . . chapters often read like short stories that flow from the heart, not just from the corral.”
—Joplin Independent

"Hundreds of other books about horses, training, and equine management have been published, but Camp's easy-to-read prose, humor, and enlightening tales bring readers to question what truly is best for the horse."
—Library Journal

"Joe shows that animals can change your perspective and perhaps even your life. This book is about compromise, trust, and love. There are life lessons to be learned here that go beyond the pasture and affect the quality of your life. Read this book and feel your heart open."
—Mike Thompson, Writer-Producer of the new Universal film Traveling

"Yes, it's a "horse" book... but really, it's so much more.  This book is about relationships, choices, acceptance, trust, compromise, and love. Take the horses out of it, and it tells stories of life lessons and teaches that the quality of life is often in the choices we make."
—Susan Sherlock, Recording Artist

"Joe speaks a clear and simple truth that grabs hold of your heart."
—Yvonne Welz, Editor, The Horse's Hoof Magazine

"Joe Camp is a natural when it comes to understanding how animals tick and a genius at telling us their story. The Soul of a Horse is a must read for those who love animals of any species."
—Monty Roberts, author of New York Times best-seller The Man Who Listens to Horses

"The Soul of a Horse is beautiful. Everyone who reads this book will laugh a little, cry a little, and think a lot; about the horse, about mankind, and about themselves."
—Pete Ramey, author, speaker, Hoof Rehabilitation Specialist

"I wish you could hear my excitement for Joe Camp's new book, The Soul of a Horse. It is unique, powerful, needed."
—Dr. Marty Becker, best-selling author of several Chicken Soup for the Soul books and popular veterinary contributor to ABC's Good Morning America

"I am amazed and in awe...and I'm a tough, cynical woman. The ideas in this book are phenomenal."
—Holly Hazard, Innovations Director, Humane Society of the United States

"It's lovely! I found myself wiping away a tear on more than one occasion. I like the mix of 'fable' and real stories from Joe's own farm and experiences."
—Gaynor Renwick, Manager, Horses First Racing Club; Warminster, England

"Joe Camp's The Soul of a Horse: Life Lessons from the Herd presents the history and majesty of equines in a way that truly touches the heart. Camp accomplishes this by weaving an engaging tapestry of writings that explore the evolutionary development of horses along with Camp's present day relationship with the horses that have chosen him as their leader. A treasure map leading to untold riches."
—Candace Runaas, PET Home Magazine

"I was so excited to read this awesome book (or a draft of it) that I could not stop until I was finished. I cannot wait for it to be published and available! I am already compiling a list of people I want to pre-order it for as a gift. Joe is a great story teller. He has managed to pull together all of the aspects that make up this new paradigm of horse care called "natural horsemanship", and has done so in a manner that is some how both gentle and forgiving to the reader as well as absolutely unquestionable. He makes it simple and so obviously the best way to keep and relate to horses. There will be so many horses (and people) that will benefit tremendously from this book! What a blessing Joe Camp is.”
—Terry Jenkins, Retired Zoo Sanctuary manager and animal advocate

"I simply love the way Joe Camp writes. He stirs my soul. He has successfully woven his personal story with horses, with a mountain of valuable information, from many professional Natural Horse people, into a spellbinding book. I have cheered and cried as I have read the pages of his manuscript. I find I keep saying to myself, "THIS IS THE WAY HORSES SHOULD BE TREATED!! This is a must read book for everyone.”
—Debbie K

"The book was fantastic!! I am so impressed. The writing gets straight to the heart of the problem with horse care today: it's not about the horse anymore!!"
—Ellen Siedlecki, Equine Verternarian

"The old adage "If it isn't broke don't fix it" may never be shown more true with horses than in Joe's book.  He shows how people have broken most, if not all, of the ways horses were made to live and how to make things right again.  It's funny, compelling, to the point, and what any horse would have you read."
—Al Fischer, rescue horse lover/volunteer.

"Joe Camp's new book, The Soul of a Horse, should be required reading for anyone who wants horses, has horses or just plain loves horses! From start to finish this book takes you on Joe and his wife Kathleen's own journey from beginning horse owners to a fully realized partnership with their horses as part of the herd. Joe's common sense approach to natural horsemanship shows how much he cares about the well being of horses. In fact, he became Horse in order to understand them and help them to not just survive in our world but to thrive. Joe walks his talk which sets a true example of commitment, respect and most importantly love for any animal that lives with us in our human world."
—Dr. Kim Bloomer, Host of Animal Talk Naturally Radio

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Harmony; 1 edition (April 29, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307406857
• ISBN-13: 978-0307406859
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (75 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #188,439 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for horse owners!, June 8, 2008

By	Debbie Chartrand - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A friend recommended this book to me and I wasn't sure why since I have never owned a horse..nor did I plan to own one. But I bought the book anyway....always up for learning something new.

This book swept me away. From the first to last page I felt transported! I could imagine myself sitting on the porch of the Camp's home watching these magnificent creatures. I learned SO much about horses and their SOULS. With everything that's been going on in the world of horse racing, this could not have been written at a more appropriate time.

The book is clever, witty and inspiring. A very fast read. I was sad when I finished it because I wanted to read more! And so many of the lessons can be applied to LIFE...not just horses.

You will not regret reading this book. And I will never look at a horse the same way.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Way to go Joe, November 20, 2008

By	Dr. Nancy Kay, author of Speaking for Spot - ... (Rohnert Park, California) - See all my reviews

Through his work with Benji, it is clear that Joe Camp understands and gets along well with dogs. Working effectively with horses requires a whole different type of intuition and language. After all, dogs are predators and horses are a prey species. In his outstanding book, The Soul of a Horse, Joe Camp has demonstrated that he is adept at understanding and working with both ends of the spectrum. It is inevitably refreshing when someone approaches a subject with a "fresh set of eyes" and questions traditional paradigms. Joe has done exactly that and effectively describes his thought processes in an enjoyable narrative. Thanks, Joe for nudging the horse loving public to think about and reconsider things that have been taken for granted for so long.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Very Disappointed, August 29, 2008

By	T. Terrio (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A friend of mine gave me this book. I was so excited as I have always raved to her about the magical bond between humans and horses. I have owned, trained, and loved horses for the last 30 years. Most of my experience predates the relatively newer "Natural Horsemanship" movement that has seized the horse community. There has always been a rash of bad trainers and bad horse people in the world who felt domination was more important than respect. I am NOT one of those people. I myself use and implement natural horsemanship techniques every single day. I have a very strong bond with all of my horses.

The book began on a good note; the key to a successful relationship is establishing a good strong bond. KUDOS! But then it went downhill with the author criticizing and dismissing nearly 90% of the equine owning world. Horses should be outside 24/7... they never need to wear shoes... they never need to be blanketed... etc... He spoke in terms of absolutes and certainty... that those things NEVER should be done to a horse. To do them is inhumane bordering on abusive.

I have owned many horses and performed in many different fields. I have shown, jumped, dressage, endurance trail, and pleasure. While your typical pleasure horse that is not being worked vigorously daily probably will never need shoes, or need to be stalled (I don't believe in stalling a horse 24 hours), or need a blanket; performance horses are a different story. Some of my performance horses do need shoes, and in winter they do in fact need to be blanketed to allow their body to regulate after a work out. Sometimes we even have to body clip them so that they can cool down without catching a chill or getting muscle cramps. Leg wraps are for their protection, not for my vanity.

After reading the book you may ask, "why would you subject your horse to such things... everything you are doing is against the horses natural evolution of 55 million years." Well 55 million years ago, horses did not have a relationship with man. If you take the authors argument to its logical conclusion, it is inhumane for man to ride or have a relationship with a horse. (I know some of you feel that way, but that is probably a topic for another day.) My point is that you can take the "what is natural" argument to far. It is not natural for a horse to have a human on its back, or a bit in its mouth, or a halter on its head. If we should never blanket, shoe, or stall our horses than what gives us the right to ride them in the first place? Surely carrying around 150 to 200 pounds of excess weight is much worse than the afore mentioned sins.

It is exciting to hear that someone has embraced their horse with such fervor in such a short period of time. But I think he goes wrong when he begins telling the entire horse world that everything they know and have been doing for the last millennium is wrong. Especially considering his entire horse experience has been derived from books, DVDs, and 18 months of horse ownership. It is insulting and it is not intended to further the human/horse bond. It is only meant to chastise horse owners who do not subscribe to his brand of horse ownership.

The book may be entertaining to someone who is a novice in the horse field, but for those of us who have been around horses our entire life it rings hollow. I feel pretty confident that if my horse was allowed to rejoin its herd, he would return to me as well.