The Horse Is My Teacher

Stories from a rural working life that teach us how to be better horsemen--and better people. Van Hargis grew up in the saddle on an East Texas ranch, training his first horse at age 12 and eventually making a living starting cutting and reining colts, many of which would leave his hands to become champions. Naturally outgoing (labeled a "talker" by teachers in grade school), Hargis shared stories and lessons from his work with horses early on. Here, in his first book, he reaches out to readers with a collection of down-to-earth, highly relatable tales--experiences that, over the years, have impacted his own horsemanship and life in significant ways. Readers absorb fundamental knowledge of horses skillfully embedded in genuine anecdotes straight off the ranch: How Grandma's cross-stitch laid the groundwork for more patience when starting colts and trailer loading. How a daughter's temper tantrum helped perfect timing of the release of pressure. How the way Mom worked the gate when sorting cattle taught you to look for what the horse really wanted to achieve. How playing on championship football teams provided the understanding of true partnership between rider and horse. With easy-to-remember quotes to anchor what readers learn and practical tools that can be used in the arena or on the trail, by Western or English riders, The Horse Is My Teacher imparts the principles of great horsemanship while also inspiring each of us to apply those same principles to further our own personal growth and success.

This classic memoir by the former director of the renowned Spanish Riding School explores the age-old relationship between horse and rider. Timeless, inspiring, and full of valuable advice. A book every rider should read.

Stories from a rural working life that teach us how to be better horsemen—and better people. Van Hargis grew up in the saddle on an East Texas ranch, training his first horse at age 12 and eventually making a living starting cutting and reining colts, many of which would leave his hands to become champions. Naturally outgoing (labeled a “talker” by teachers in grade school), Hargis shared stories and lessons from his work with horses early on. Here, in his first book, he reaches out to readers with a collection of down-to-earth, highly relatable tales—experiences that, over the years, have impacted his own horsemanship and life in significant ways. Readers absorb fundamental knowledge of horses skillfully embedded in genuine anecdotes straight off the ranch: How Grandma's cross-stitch laid the groundwork for more patience when starting colts and trailer loading. How a daughter's temper tantrum helped perfect timing of the release of pressure. How the way Mom worked the gate when sorting cattle taught you to look for what the horse really wanted to achieve. How playing on championship football teams provided the understanding of true partnership between rider and horse. With easy-to-remember quotes to anchor what readers learn and practical tools that can be used in the arena or on the trail, by Western or English riders, The Horse Is My Teacher imparts the principles of great horsemanship while also inspiring each of us to apply those same principles to further our own personal growth and success.

There is a well known saying that "when the student is ready, the teacher will appear" (Buddhist Proverb) - well, my teachers have appeared in the form of horses and continue to do so. Anyone who has spent any length of time around horses cannot have failed to have observed some of the profound lessons they are able to teach us. The question however, is whether we have actually learnt from them! Inside the covers of this book, you will find some of those lessons that I am now sharing with you so that their legacy can grow and 'ripple' outwards. There have been so many lessons but these are some of the most important. They are presented through pictures, thoughts and observations, including those given to me by our horses and ponies and also through some of the journal and blog entries I have made to illustrate the lesson. They are not in any particular order and can be read as a kind of 'journey' as we have experienced them or as individual gifts of motivation and learning; whichever suits you.

A collection of short non-fiction pieces by various authors about how they experienced personal growth through a relationship with horses.

Horse Speak is not a training method or technique—it is a practical system for “listening” and “talking” to horses in their language, instead of expecting them to comprehend ours. Horse Speak can be used by anyone who works with horses, whether riding instructor, colt starter, recreational rider, or avid competitor. It promises improved understanding of what a horse is telling you, and provides simple replies you can use to tell him that you “hear” him, you “get it,” and you have ideas you want to share with him, too. The result? Time with your horse will be full of what horse trainer and equine-assisted learning instructor Sharon Wilsie of Wilsie Way Horsemanship calls Conversations, and soon the all-too-common misunderstandings that occur between horse and human will evolve into civil discussions with positive and progressive results! Learn Horse Speak in 12 easy steps; understand equine communication via breath and body language; and discover the Four Gs of Horse Speak: Greeting, Going Somewhere, Grooming, and Gone. Practice regulating your intensity, and sample dozens of ready-made Conversations with your horse, as step-by-step templates and instructional color photographs walk you through the eye-opening process of communicating on a whole new level.

In ‘Wow, my teacher is a horse!’, scientifically based theory and practical examples clearly explain how the horse can play a role in strengthening executive functions through experiential learning. Since 2004 Paulien Rutgers has been working in horse-assisted interventions which aim to encourage children with specific needs to develop their strenghts and abilities. More than half of these children suffer from school dropout and/or risky behavior. They need support for one or more executive functions, with feedback to their family and school. Horses have a positive effect on the learning ability, the self-reflection and the awareness of these children. In this book, Paulien Rutgers brings together all her experience and the results of her search for the explanation of the effect that horses have on the behaviour and cognition of the target group. She attended national and international symposia, lectures and courses, studied articles and books, conducted passionate interviews with researchers and colleagues, resulting in a conclusive theory which translates into practice. This is an indispensable book for students of Animal Assisted Therapy courses, of applied social studies, pedagogy and psychology as well as for teachers in those studies, as for professionals in the field of animals in care.

A collection of short non-fiction pieces by various authors about how they experienced personal growth through a relationship with horses.