From the horse's mouth
356981
I got this book a long time ago. I kept putting off reading it for a number of reasons. I needed a good short story toread of a different genre and "WAR HORSE" was the perfect read.
1146742
I was glad to obtain my copy from Amazon and have enjoyed reading it and seeing photographs of many of the Arabians that were an important foundation for present-day CMK (Crabbet-Maynesboro-Kellogg)Arabians.  Herbert H. Reese was the manager of the Kellogg Arabian Ranch in Pomona, CA for many years, so he talks from first-hand experience.  To actually be present when the large importation arrived from the Crabbet Arabian Stud in England must have been quite exciting!  W.K. Kellogg gave us a real legacy in collecting so many Arabians of top bloodlines in one place, and in perpetuating them for future generations to enjoy.  He also gathered horses from the 1906 Homer Davenport importation from the Middle Eastern deserts; from W.R. Brown's Maynesboro Stud and from various other early American breeders.  This book gives an honest critique of foundation horses and goes on to tell how well offspring from those horses did.  The Sunday shows that were instituted on the ranch were both a proving ground for the horses and had a promotional effect to heighten interest in the breed in general and Kellogg Arabians in particular.  If you can get your hands on a copy of this book, it is a treasure of information.
1359905
I have only just discovered Imke Spilker's book, but already it has radically changed my way of being with horses.  Like many of the other reviewers, I already prided myself on being a communicative and listening horse trainer and rider. Spilker's book made me realize how one-sided my conversation with horses has been.

Her book contains no "technique," no "exercises," no "plan."  Since opening myself up to her philosophy, now in the presence of horses I often find myself tongue-tied and uncertain how to proceed.  But it's in those moments when our will is silent that the horse can find a way to speak back to us.

You should read the book for yourself - it's available in Borders, and if you find it there, you can sit down with a cup of coffee to browse through it before deciding whether to buy a copy somewhere. But a warning - your life will change if take Spilker's lessons to heart!

Here's one thing you can try to have a taste of what she is talking about:  next time you go to fetch your horse from the pasture to work, put the halter on him without a lead rope, and invite him to follow you. If he doesn't want to, say "Oh pretty please, I really want you to come."  If he still doesn't want to, give him a nice treat, take off the halter and let him go.
1113890
It is clear from the first chapter that this author really knows horses - how they behave, how they smell, how they respond to their owner. Although I enjoyed learning about the author's grandmother's path growing to womanhood and launching her career as a rodeo bull rider, I think it would be perfect for young women who are really into horses, whether they own them or just dream of owning one. Nettie having the courage to stand up for what is right for her life, even if she has to risk the disapproval of her family, could be a good lesson for young women struggling to find their own path.
80095
A short and sweet little book which covers the fundamental classical principles which have been around for at least 2500 years and have stood the test of time until very recently.  Sadly, these principles, designed to make the horse comfortable when ridden and so stand up to the rigors of a ridden life are rarely seen in popular modern competition riding. This is to the detriment of the horse so read this little book and find out what they are missing out on.
1620787
Having heard Dr. Miller speak about imprinting a foal, I've been a big fan of his work.  He's done a lot in the field of horsemanship, helping to educate horse owners.  His work is aimed at the amateur horse owner, someone who might not have a background in horses, or who only has one or two in their care.  With that said, do I agree with everything he says?  No, I do not.  However, I did find this book to be a thought provoking collection of essays.

The "ancient secrets" to which Dr. Miller refers is simply the natural way in which a horse is hardwired.  Those who work around horses know that they are prey creatures.  Their instincts tell them to flee from danger, and barring that, fight to get free.  Therefore, many of things that owners and trainers do to them run counter to that instinct.  Dr. Miller's book helps the owner and/or trainer to understand a bit more the details in a horse's mind, and understand why a horse may be performing a certain action.

From the title of this book it sounds like it might be the "be-all-end-all" to horsemanship tomes.  Certainly "Understanding the Ancient Secrets of the Horse's Mind" sounds weighty and important.  I'm not saying this book isn't important, but the book cannot, especially in such a slim volume, be the complete handbook to getting inside a horse's psyche.  No, this is a title to read, to ponder, and to learn from, and then use as a way to branch out into other books on equine psychology.

With that said, however, I do feel that this book is a worthwhile addition to any horseman's library, and certainly should be on the "must read" list of any serious horse owner.
2069480
This is a great book well worth reading for anyone interested in the effect we have on our horses. I found it fascinating.
2627817
Hilturd Strasser is truly a pioneer in the field of care of the horse.  Her ideas on how to properly maintain the horse, both through the means to house and feed and shelter it and the means to trim it for soundness are revolutionizing the horse care and veterinary industry.  Hiltrud Strasser clearly defines the inner workings of a horse's foot in a way in which we can understand the relationship between the foot of the horse and its overalll health.  This is something that has been woefully lacking in the veterinary care and farrier industry throughout history.  Strasser clearly shows the relationship between shoeing a horse and its overall lack of health as well. However, if there was anything in this book that I would take exception to and not practice because it does not work it would be the concept of Strasser's ideas of what constitutes heel contraction and her means of correcting it through opening cuts.  Through attempting this I have found that it does more harm than good.  In addition, Strasser's emphasis on too much exercise and movement of a hurting horse is a bit extreme and should be modified.  While some movement is necessary, I have found that the amounts of exercise and movement that Strasser seems to indicate is normal for a horse, 15 miles per day, is a bit more than is actually normal and is not necessary for the horse's health.
4330460
Another honest account of true horsemanship by Mark Rashid. Complex thoughts and concepts are written in a manner that can be understood by anyone with an open mind. This is definitely a book I would recomment not only to those who are intersted in estabslishing a harmonious, positive relationship with their horses, but also to those who are interested in personal growth and learning.
1342772
A thoroughly enjoyable book which tells anecdotes of a working student and the characters surrounding her. For a horse lover who has suffered through the vagaries of having horses you love, and working and training them, seeing them through happy times, through illnesses, and witnessing their passing on...it's a very good page-turner book.
The author can make you visualize the drudgery of hard work, the delights of training break throughs, the comradiere of fellow horse lovers, and even details of judging.
It is a page turner as one wants to know "what's next!?"
A thoroughly FUN read for a dressage aficionado, or any horse lover. Especially...the last page.
641444
The best part of this book is about how horses understand the language of the aids. I haven't seen anyone else try to explain horse linguistics before ~ not explicitly, at least. For that chapter alone, the book is very worthwhile. Otherwise, it is a little light on the theory. However,  appreciating the horse's understanding of us will (hopefully) make the  rider much more respectful, careful, and ultimately more effective.
3083077
"...The Mongols have more than five hundred terms to describe their horses' coats."  Just wait until you see Yann Arthus-Bertrand's photographs of the metallic gold, silken-coated Akhal-Teke stallion, Murgi.  If Rembrandt had painted horses, they would resemble Arthus-Bertrand's photographs.  When I first came upon the picture of the Russian Heavy Draft stallion Jar, I thought it WAS an oil painting.  Admirers of Stubbs will very much enjoy the portraits in this book.

But "Horses" is not just another beautiful picture book.  It also has a very dense, satisfying text, in the manner of a French natural history:  opinionated; filled with wonderfully obscure facts; and most elegantly written (and translated).  The author does ignore most North American horse breeds such as the Saddlebred and the Tennessee Walker, in a rather snooty Gallic fashion.  Instead, he showcases many African, South American, and French breeds that were completely unknown to me.  To someone who is used to leafing through English and American encyclopedias of horse breeds, this book will be a real eye-opener.  For instance how many readers will have heard of the Augeron, the Kabardin, the Nivernais, the Trait du Maine, or the Auxois?  Would they realize that the oldest horse race in France features the Auxois, which is a Burgundian draft horse?

"Horses" has over 225 color equine portraits taken over the course of fifteen years.  A dark brownish-black backdrop allows the reader to focus on the horse in all of its majesty, and on the relationship between horse and human.  It is truly the most beautiful book in my library.
4383239
I think I would enjoy this book even if it were poorly written just because I really like Buck Brannaman.  I think this is a must read for anyone who is involved with horses.  That said - I'm not sure how interesting it would be to non-horse people.  I guess I'll give it to some of my non-horse-obsessed friends and see what they think.  But just for the insight into horses and relating to them I do think everyone who handles horses should read this.  As Buck is quoted as saying, "It's not so much helping people with horse problems but helping horses with people problems."
4202936
Buck Brannaman's story is not just for horse people...my last time on a horse the saddle busted at a full gallop...I realized that death via horse was quite a reality...no thanks.  But Busk's story goes way beyond horses and if you are a human (ha! I guess so if you are reading this!) then you will grow from his quiet knowledge gained the hard way.

Rand
Catahoulaflutes
4063476
This book shows what horses can do--and how you care for them--including mucking out the stable, which is so important for someone who wishes for one as a pet and doesn't know what that entails.  There's a short list of colors--an introduction--not enough to enable them to identify a color--and some breeds--not accurate enough to identify them.  (You'd need photos.)  But it's good that childen can learn about horses used on farms--though not so much today, it's part of our history--and for herding  livestock; and then there are circus horses, police horses, jumpers, polo ponies, racing horses, and horses just for you to ride, which is what most kids are familiar with, I suspect, so it's good to expand their horizons since horses are not as common today as so many kids live in cities. I'll be giving this book to a neighbor kid across the street--in the middle of the city--who loves horses.
1852812
This is a great read. Told from the horse itself.
Everything from, stalls, feed, health and hoof care, behavior issues, and talking to the horse in it's own way.
This is a must read for anyone who wants or has a horse.
4960462
Awesome photos and captivating text. Magnificent horse.  What else could you ask for?