Customer Reviews

True Horsemanship Through Feel

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(2)
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2 star:		(2)
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True Horsemanship Through Feel could not be any more appropriately titled. As others have stated, there are no quick fixes here, only the door to a new relationship with your horse for those willing to pay attention to the little things that make all the difference.

I have trained two horses since purchasing this book and reading it over and over. Neither horse carried a rider until they were four. Both come down out of their lush pasture if they THINK we might go riding. I take care of them, to include trimming their feet and saddling them in the pasture, without putting a rope on them. I'm very happy with the way they turned out. My horses want to be with me and look to me for reassurance. They are a pleasure to be around and are just as "broken" after a three month layoff as they were the day the snow started flying.

This book is a great addition to the horsemanship library. Don't be put off by the price--most horse books may be cheaper, but they only get read once. This one will be read over and over. Take the time to study "True Horsemanship Through Feel" and you will find new depth in your other videos, tapes, and books on round-penning and non-threatening horse-training. It doesn't replace the others--it adds value to them. The understanding you will gain will allow you to find and stand on common ground and to help develop your own style that works for both you and your horses. It is all about communicating in terms the horse can understand. The understanding and communication will set you free.

This book is not for someone looking for a quick fix. Bill and Tom Dorrance and the other natural horsemanship authors provide the reader with more or less an operator's manual for the horse, explaining how and why a horse responds (operates) to various stimuli including the rider and handler.

Horsemanship is (or should be) a skilled athletic endeavor. No athlete worth his or her salt would undertake a sport without first understanding it. These texts aid in building a strong foundation in the horse from which things like loping, lateral movement, transitions and similar activities flow. The premise is simple. Understand the horse, keep him mentally clear and physically in balance, work in harmony, develop the "whole horse" and succeed.

Want a quick fix? Trade the horse in for a video game. Want your horse to work well? Understand what he is and cover the basics.

The Dorrances understand horses. Leslie Desmond, no lightweight herself, is good at explaining things. If you want to understand your horse, this is the kind of material you should be reading.

This is an outstanding book for anyone wanting to deepen their understanding of horses and improve their horsemanship. Bill Dorrance is true to life and his lively spirit shines through in this book. He is successful in explaining how to use "feel" to get things working for you and your horse. Bill is consistant in his approach and stresses a good foundation which is important no matter what your riding discipline. How wonderful that Leslie Desmond was able to capture this matster horseman's techniques in print. I could not put this book down until it was finished. Within days of trying some of the techniques in this book I saw subtle but good changes in my horses. This book is an excellent resource to be used. If you work with horses, you should read this book. It will open your mind to this better way, horsemanship through feel, and will get feel working for you and your horse.

I love collecting books about horsemanship and especially dressage. Of all the books I own few have provided me with as profound an experience as this one. No other book I've ever seen can compare with Bill Dorrance's 375 pages on "feel". A masterpiece!

Truly a book beyond labels from a true gentleman and person with high respect of the Equine.If you own a horse, do that horse and yourself a favor and purchase this book written by a man that would like nothing better than to see your horse and you develope the kind of relationship that was meant to be.

I can attest through daily experiences that this book is truly one of the greats on horsemanship. I have suffered many bumps and bruises in my years of training horses, and I must say that this book would have helped me from making those mistakes. I do feel though that one must have an understanding of horses and horsemanship in order to truly "feel" the meaning of this book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn what it means to "feel" their horse and achieve a greater relationship with the horse than imagined.

I have heard of Bill Dorrence for years through Hunt,Branamen, and Joe Wolters. How sorry I am for not meeting him. The book is a legacy for all that really care about their connection with the horse. Leslie Desmond has done a superb job of relaying Bills explanations to print. Which was no easy task, but it is obvious that it was a labor of love for the man and the horse. This book will always be my manual and my treasure.

Horsepeople everywhere, change your relationship with your horse. This is no "quick fix" book, and there aren't any gimmicks or tricks here. You aren't required to buy certain bridles manufactured by the author, and there are no product endorsements through which to wade. You're simply required to listen to Mr. Dorrance's very wise words and give them a shot.

What this book has to offer is a rare chance to have some timeless instruction from a man who is no longer with us who shares an age old (but too often overlooked or forgotten) method of making your horse your partner. Mr. Dorrance has been the mentor for some of the most respected horsemen of our time, including Ray Hunt, and Buck Brannaman. There's a reason for this, and if you put the book into practice you'll see why.

Buy the book, read the front story from Buck Brannaman and keep it in mind as you read the rest of the book. You'll never regret it.

Nathalie Ross, Houston, TX

This is a wonderful book. This author has been the mentor for all of the current top teaching professionals relative to horses and communication (i.e. Pat Parelli, Buck Brannaman, Clinton Anderson, Dennis Reis, etc.). Every horse owner should buy this book if you never buy another. Learning to speak "horse" is the ultimate way of communicating with your horses. It is amazing what you can do utilizing these techniques. If your horse is one of the calmest or the most spirited, you can learn to help yourself and your horse. A truly inspiring book. Everyone should be willing to take the time to learn so you can have the ultimate partnership with your horses. The horse world would be much better overall if everyone aspired to the techniques in this book. It's a shame some people will never know the joy and wonder of such a wonderful relationship - it's more of a shame for the horses these people own. This is just a great book!

I recently moved my young horse from a well established dressage trainer to a wonderful horseman/trainer who does foundation work. I had bought my colt from an "unknown" owner and I just felt that my horse had missed the "basics".

My new trainer recommended I read Bill Dorrance's book, True Horsemanship, because he practices many of Bill's methods. True Horsemanship offers horse owners basic approaches that make sense and lead to better communication and successful results. With this foundation work completed, I now know that my horse will be better prepared to go into any discipline from here.

Amazingly, I'm realizing how much re-training my older "finished horse" needs. I am anxious to try some of the training methods in this book on him, as well.

Bill has so many years of good horsemanship experience and I just wish I had exposure to his philosophies and training earlier in my life.