How to Think Like A Horse: The Essential Handbook for Understanding Why Horses Do What They Do (Paperback)

by Cherry Hill (Author)
Key Phrases: upper corner incisors, flehmen response, visual streak, Human Equivalents, Galvayne's Groove (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"…an eye opener…Hill's book is the essential handbook – not too technical yet seriously written from her 30 years of experience." (Southern HorseStyle )

an eye openerHill's book is the essential handbook not too technical yet seriously written from her 30 years of experience. (Southern HorseStyle )

Product Description
Ask someone who works with horses how best to communicate with a balky colt and she will tell you that horses do not respond to human cajoling. To be successful the human must understand and work with, not against, the horse’s instincts, needs, and fears. When a trainer resorts to human teaching methods — reasoning, begging, bribing, even hugging and kissing — the horse will become confused and unable to respond appropriately. But if horses are treated respectfully with methods they understand, everyone involved — animal and human — will be happier, safer, and more productive.

Horse trainer and instructor Cherry Hill believes that every human/horse relationship benefits from a greater human understanding of what motivates horses, how they experience the world, what makes them happy, and what worries them. Journey through the equine mind with Hill as she explores all that makes a horse tick. How do his basic needs dictate his behavior and mood? What touches and tastes appeal to his senses? How does his “flight or fight” instinct dictate his response to sudden movements?

Hill offers interactive experiments — fun for both horse and human — that bear out her findings on horse behavior. And her final chapter presents simple training methods that draw from the insights and information presented throughout the book.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC (May 5, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580178359
• ISBN-13: 978-1580178358
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,191 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Think Like A Horse?, August 1, 2006

By	Giddyap (Poway, California) - See all my reviews

Great book. Bought it for my 14-year-old who thinks she knows it all. She has learned some interesting facts and applies that to her own horse. It has made her understand the horse instead of just reacting. Highly recommended for any level horse rider. You will learn at least one thing you didn't know before you picked up this book.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book!, July 14, 2007

By	Rachel A. Ingalls (River Falls, WI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a delightful book full of information and insight from an often under-appreciated trainer. Cherry Hill covers everything from development to grooming to behavior to training.
Information which is normally strewn across several horse books comes together in this single volume. This is a must-read for every horse enthusiast.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How To Think Like A Horse, December 22, 2006

By	V. Mellema (Amarillo, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Cherry Hill always has great books that are both interesting and informational. I have several in my home library and this may be the most useful one that I own. The horse is so much more complicated than people realize and if you are able to understand what your horse is thinking then you will be able to be more successful in anything and everything you do with your horses. The book has been an excellent source of information for training my own colts and understanding what they are thinking when you are trying to get them to respond to what you are asking them to do.

Cherry Hill is a great trainer and writer. She has a great way of explaining training procedures and offers excellent information on how to make training easier on both the trainer and the horse. Your horse will thank you for reading this book!