Horses Never Lie: The Heart of Passive Leadership

by Mark Rashid

Horses Never Lie The Heart of Passive Leadership by Rashid, Mark. Published by Skyhorse Publishing,2011, Hardcover 2nd Edition

Genres: Horses

Hardcover

Published July 6, 2011

About the author

Mark Rashid (pronounced RASH-id) is an internationally acclaimed horse trainer known for his ability to understand the horse’s point of view and solve difficult problems with communication rather than force. He began working with horses at age ten, when he met the “old man,” who taught him to work with horses, not against them, and to listen to what the horse is trying to say. Mark’s clinics center on one-on-one work with horse and rider and are immensely popular with people around the world.

When Mark decided to study the martial art of aikido as a way to improve his horsemanship, he brought the same quiet determination to it that he exhibits in his work with horses. After years of practice, he has earned a second degree black belt in Yoshinkan aikido and now teaches the “way of harmony” in the local dojo.

Mark worked full time on ranches for many years gathering herds, managing stock, and training horses. When time permits, he still enjoys working on ranches near his home in Estes Park, Colorado.

Mark has been a guest on NPR’s The Horse Show and was featured on the Nature series on PBS. He is the author of nine books - Considering the Horse, A Good Horse is Never a Bad Color; Horses Never Lie; Life Lessons from a Ranch Horse; Horsemanship Through Life; Big Horses, Good Dogs, & Straight Fences; A Life With Horses; Whole Heart, Whole Horse; and his latest, a novel, Out of the Wild. He also has a solo music CD Song of the Prairie and enjoys singing and playing guitar with a local band The Elktones.

Reviews

[Abby Wenninger · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much highlighted! So many thoughts! I can see myself going back to this one often. I really admire Mark’s approach to horsemanship and appreciated the very candid way he explains things. The short stories were a really effective and memorable way to get his points across. I love horsies, such beautiful creatures!!!!!!

[Marjolijn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book with wonderful insights. It really puts all we do with horses, and that we have learned, in a different perspective!

[Savannah Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as a new horse owner. My younger sister and I were training our horse, and we found our natural reaction to misbehavior was to try and be the aggressive alpha. After reading we changed our whole training method and we’re very pleased with the results. Our horses love and respect us so much more being the “silent leader”

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. The author’s philosophy on training horses matches my own. It affirms that how I treat my horse and how he responds to me is most definitely the right way to go. A relationship through cooperation is WAY better and more solid than one built on dominance.

[Stephanie Cheek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed hearing Mark’s background in how he got into working with horses (as a child!), and his views on horses’ minds. He also goes over some of the myths we believe about horse ownership/training, like we all must mimic a dominant/alpha horse instead of simply being a calm, “passive” leader, which he explained. It depends on what relationship we want, but if many of us want a partnership, there is more communication and give and take involved. Mark gives a great perspective we should consider, our relationships with horses from the horse’s point of view. Are we consistent in cues/aids, “feeling” when we ride for their tries and responses?

I’m very interested in another book Mark Rashid wrote too, Consider the Horse, which sounds like it will go into more valuable insight about the horse and human relationship. Honestly, I’ll probably read or listen to more than just that one. Very enjoyable listen, and hopeful tone throughout the book.

Audible voice actor has a nice voice but quite wooden (although his voice for “the old man” that Mark worked for was excellent, haha). A couple smirks from mispronunciations like “dressage”, but otherwise good listen on Audible.

[Candie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. The chapter Otis and Buck really reminded me of our horse. Buck is very similar to our horse, Sammy. Sam was just introduced to a new her in October, and he acted just like Buck. At first, I was worried that Sam wouldn't act out and defend himself, but after reading this, I realized that Sammy knew exactly what he was doing!

[Hollie Wildëthorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could read Mark's books all day everyday.
His combination of Aikido/MACS wisdom with horse experience is the perfect mix for delivering gentle concepts.
If you want to relate to horses with authenticity and respect, Mark's work won't let you down.

[Sammi Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book full of wonderful stories and words of wisdom!

[Jordy Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking and heartwarming. Mark Rashid conveys horse sense in a humble, yet effective and engaging package: storytelling.

[Jeana Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very eye opening and informative. It helping me look at working with horses differently.