Horse, Follow Closely: Native American Horsemanship

by GaWaNi Pony Boy

The bible of Native American Horsemanship! Horse, Follow Closely is GaWaNi Pony Boy's signature title about the relationship training methods that are steeped in common sense and the age-old wisdom of his Native American ancestors. Of mixed blood Tsa-la-gi, GaWaNi Pony Boy was able to conceive his philosophy and compile the methods of relationship training while touring the United States with a Native American drum band and consulting the Tribal Elders from different nations and backgrounds. The methods and beliefs of relationship training come directly from the first great horsemen of North "Horse and rider are one. Theirs is a relationship of trust, harmony, and respect born of a way of life that is all but lost." Because of his unique skills and teaching techniques, author GaWaNi Pony Boy has become the most sought-after horse behaviorist in the United States and in high demand throughout the world. He founded Iyuptala University, an online college-equivalent equine studies curriculum, and is the Executive Editor of Women & Horses magazine. The stunning full-color photographs by Gabrielle Boiselle inside this book capture Pony Boy's serenity and unity with his close horse companions. Gabrielle is a well-known international horse photographer. Her understanding, patience, and intuition create special images, artistic and unique, that capture the soul and emotion of her subjects. Born of a horse breeder family, she decided to become a journalist and studied science of communication in Munich. She has traveled the world photographing horses and creating breathtaking calendars and books. The author's simple eloquence forges a deep, profound relationship with the reader that few books achieve. As Pony Boy writes in the introduction, "For many [the Native American horseman] represents the ultimate rider. The essence of a horseman, both his skill and intuition, goes beyond the hours he spends in the saddle... the folklore of every Native tribe are stories, tales, and beliefs to exemplify human's relations to other animals." Horse, Follow Closely begins with an analysis of how horses came to live with the Natives of North America and their impact on Native life. The crux of relationship training is to understand "what it means to be a horse, react like a horse, and relate to other things like a horse." Native Americans were able to create such strong relationship with horses in a short time because they understood that "a horse is a horse." Learning to balance the relationship between horse and human is the missing link to becoming a masterful horseman or horsewoman. The book describes not only the techniques involved for relationship training but also the belief system and attitude that must be applied to all methods of horsemanship. In addition to presenting the methods and philosophy of relationship training, Horse, Follow Closely includes stories and legends of Native Americans and their horses, all of which can teach you something new about yourself and your relationship with your horse. Build a bond with your horse, and grow to understand one another, with the help of Horse, Follow Closely .

Genres: Horses, Nonfiction, Animals, Native American, History, Reference

135 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1998

Reviews

[Ken Oder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started riding at age 70. The character and personality of horses has changed my life, and I'm looking to make up for lost time. This book is right up my alley. It explains the special relationship between Native American riders and horses and provides guidance about how to emulate it. The writing is superior. The advice is understandable, even for the novice, and so far at least, I can attest that some of it works. If you love horses and want to understand them more fully to become a better rider, this book is a big help.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some hobby reading, re-read but I still like it!

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEAUTIFUL BOOK WITH A MESSAGE. OKAY, SO OTHER "HORSE WHISPERERS" HAVE A SIMILAR MESSAGE. THIS IS BEAUTIFUL.

Sick of boring old dressage? Overdone eventing? Wacky Western riding? In this stunningly beautiful volume, GaWaNi Pony Boy describes the roots of Native American riding. When Europeans arrived in the Americas, horses had disappeared long before. GaWaNi shows how the first Americans took to horses-- and created an awe inspiring bond and culture. I have not met GaWaNi, but I knew my husband would love his horsemanship the minute I saw this book. GaWaNi doesn't clip his horse's faces-- something my husband totally approves.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the BEST books I have ever read! Highly recommended for all horse lovers.

[Paula Stogner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! This man taught me so much about the dignity that is within all of us, even the animals.

[Heather Herring · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great training manual if you want a well trained horse and a relationship with said horse. it also touches a bit on native American history and religious based stories which I greatly appreciated. this is a good book for someone who wants to take a gentle and communicative approach to training while still having boundaries and being a leader. native Americans are known as the best riders for a reason, this book highlights that. no matter the experience level, no matter how little or much you take out of the book, this is a must read for the philosophies alone.

[Book Owl · Rating 5 out of 5]

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Ein wunderbares Buch, welches nicht nur interessante Ideen zum Training/ gemeinsame Arbeit bietet, sondern auch zum Nachdenken über die Beziehungsgestaltung zwischen Pferd und Mensch anregt.
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A wonderful book that not only offers interesting ideas for training/working together, but also encourages reflection on the relationship between horse and human.

[Emily Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book, gorgeous photography, a moving overall message.
There are plenty of great stories from native American culture, as well as a section of step by step exercises to improve your relationship with your horse.
Still relevant in 2024, though written In the late 90s.

[Susan E. Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A spiritual adventure that saturates the soul.

[Sally Pike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book

This is a book to be read over and over. I will keep it close and thank my friend for the suggestion!

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book ❤️ I loved learning more about Native American Horsemanship. I wish I had found this book years ago. If you ride, I highly recommend reading this book.

[Paula J. Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really lovely book. Will admit to only skimming the text past the first chapter as the book was not in my possession long and had to be passed on. I was so glad to have come across it, though! I am not a horse owner or trainer so cannot speak to the training methods, though they seem incredibly sensible and intuitive, lovely and gentle and respectful. Writer/trainer GaWanNi Pony Boy and photographer Gabrielle Boiselle make for a lovely team, bringing together a truly beautiful book that will appeal not only to horse owners, trainers, etc., but also those interested in Native American culture, animal medicine, animals and animal training generally, and really fine animal/nature photography. The cover of the book is a wonderful representation of the images inside.

The introduction speaks to the history of the animal on the north american continent, as well as "The Impact of Horses on Native Life," "The War Pony," "Horse Painting and Decorating," and finally, "Relationship Training," which is the core of the book: "At the very foundation of Relationship Training is the connectedness of all life and the respect with which we, as humans, must treat the animals of our larger family. The winged animals of the air, the four-leggeds, and the fish in the waters are our brothers and sisters. Once we realize and act as though we understand this relationship, and once we accept the responsibility to all our brothers and sister that goes along with this relationship, then true training can begin. Because in truth, training is nothing other than attunement. Attunement of rider to horse and attunement of horse to rider."

Each of the three chapters is similarly divided into subtitled sections, and also includes separate pages of native myth, which are an especially lovely, charming, important added touch. The book is beautifully laid out with sidebar sections that, in addition to the wonderful photographs, makes for an easy, and visually appealing read.

[Pamela Diaz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, first things first, Gawani does not at all translate to Kevin in Tsalagi, as he claims. His use of the term waonspekiye, is borrowed from the Lakota. Which through the book he uses Lakota terminology and not Tsalagi, despite claiming to be Eastern Band. He uses a plethora of pan-Indianism throughout the book making you absolutely forget that he is claiming to be Tsalagi. Throughout the book he is wearing stereotypical Plains attire, which, I'm going to call costumes because they look like decently made stage costumes in which the stereotypical Native American character with no tribal affiliation wears. Absolute mockery of multiple tribes in the United States. Maybe he can return to Trexler Preserve and gowan to the top of the mountain to have a good cry with some litter by his ankles.

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read, gorgeous photos. A basic overview of the "Native American" way, though a lot of it seems to be or rather should be, an obvious way to become a team with your horse. Of course, I saw obvious, since I basically grew up this way (it's much easier as a child to skip off and spend the day with a horse), but since horse people come across so many stories of problem horses, etc. I suppose it's not obvious. I did really like his chapter on learning how to fall off a horse safely. Very good, definitely needed, and not something commonly taught in general.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book and the pictures are breathtaking. There is relationship between a horse and a rider and you have to remember that you can be in charge but sometimes the horse doesn't listen! Traditional training methods and traditions of the Native Americans and the bonds that they created with their superior horses!

[Amelia-roísín Seifert · Rating 2 out of 5]

*note* only reading this for research. The basic tennant of this is that people should develop a relationship with there horse. No kidding, as if no-ones thought of that before. Its a little dubious, and all the bareback 'indian riding' picture are very pretty but based on a totally romanticised idea about Indian horsemanship.

[Adam Crown · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to get this book, because Pony Boy is, like me, part Indian. Nice photography and some good things in it. But I saw Pony Boy's demo at Cornell a while back, and was a little disappointed. It was basically round-penning -- something that's very stressful for the horse. Not my idea of how to start a relationship.

[C.J. Darlington · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great introduction to natural horsemanship concepts. And the Native American insights give it a different perspective. If you're unfamiliar with natural horsemanship this book would be great. However, if you're familiar with the concepts already, then this might seem a little too general.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gawani Pony Boy offers this beautiful book that is simple, straightforward and easy to understand and apply. The photography is lovely and moving. Check out his website at http://www.ponyboy.com/ for more...

[Heather]

Visually beautiful and a delight to read.

[TJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just looked at the pictures.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just beautiful.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book for a friend and now that I have read it, I will give it to her. Horse training at it's best.

[Karla Delandsheer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stunning photographs! Good information too.

[Victoria Vane]

Research reading for SILVER TONGUE

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful! I can't wait to try these out with Tessa :)

[Albertine Nannings · Rating 3 out of 5]

The pictures are nice, but the man is one big joke.

[Lourdes Cambridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

GOOD TRADE!

[Sooz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was kindly given this book as a gift -A much treasured one. Beautiful photos and written well.

[Jutta · Rating 5 out of 5]

ehrlich. mutig. fein.