How to Think Like a Horse: The Essential Handbook for Understanding Why Horses Do What They Do

by Cherry Hill

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 what 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? If horses are treated respectfully with methods they understand, everyone involved — animal and human — will be happier, safer, and more productive.

Genres: Horses, Nonfiction, Animals, Reference, Science, Nature, Education

485 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2005

Reviews

[Jaroslav · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative book for me as a beginner horseman, just little too broad scoped for me at the moment as it covers not only explaining hehavior, but also covers some horse care and training topics, menaing i can't fully appreciate it for now. Hats off to explaining what to do and what not to do from horse's perspective. Loved the clear, informative full color drawings and photos, even in the Kindle edition. It just screams to me to get a printed book as this is probably one I'll be consulting again and again...

[Meghan]

This was as useful as it sounds- especially for a beginning rider like myself.

[SatKartar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for all horse owners. It makes understanding why horses do some of the crazy, funny, or dramatic things they do.

[Emma J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked it, though it isn't my favorite of these kinds of books. I would definitely recommend it, though. It gives some good tips, and I was able to apply these them to my horse. It was easy to understand, and well organized.

[Zein Kayali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book ... especially because I love horses and everything related to them. I am not a beginner rider but I found this book extremely informative and essential to everyone working with horses, riding, handling ... etc. Plus the writer's style and way of portraying the information is really helpful and interesting.

In expereience I must say that I have learned a lot and have practiced a lot of what I read which made many of the processes handling or riding my horse more efficient.

What I liked the most is that the writer adds her own experience with horses which makes it easier to understand and passes us her expertise as well.

All in all, it is an important book that will give you a lot of knowledge to absorb, to help you become a better horsekeeper, rider ... etc.

[Pete · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe I haven't critiqued this book since I have 6 copies on my bookshelf.

For those of us who love our horses, and those who would like to gain a larger understanding of their equine friends and methods to become closer to them, this is an awesome resource.

I gave one away for Christmas to a neighbor's child.

[Marjorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book full of information backed by excellent pictures. This book focuses on how to keep out of trouble with your horse[s] and how to have a good relationship with horses. It also covers care and feeding of horses. This will be an excellent review for many and a new way of thinking for others.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was informative, but will be more useful if you have 2+ acres. I have 1 acre and will not be able to fit most of what they talked about in this book, such as barns and riding arenas or any kind of pasture. It still helped me get ideas for what I can do with my small space, though.

[C.J. Darlington · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me awhile to finish this book as it's so full of information. Great basic stuff with some more advanced mixed in. Profusely illustrated in color. A good book to have in any horse lover's library.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative without being dull, and really helps see things from the horse's perspective.

[Skyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kniha vhodná asi spíše pro začátečníky a jako první kniha o pochopení koní. Žádnou jinou jsem nečetla, takže nemohu porovnat, jak moc byla dobrá nebo nebyla.
Začala jsem ji číst už někdy před 3 lety a jelikož je naučná, tak mě tolik nebavila a několikrát jsem ji odložila a neměla kvůli ní ani náladu číst. Pokud se budete chtít něco dozvědět, tak vás bavit bude, ale já ji dostala jako dárek, protože občas chodím jezdit. Jenže já si koně pořizovat nechci a ani žádného cvičit nebudu, protože na mě je to až moc velká zodpovědnost a na takhle velkých zvířatech se špatná výchova může nebezpečně projevit. (Je rozdíl, jestli vás kousne čivava anebo kopne kůň.)
Kniha vše hezky vysvětlila a obsahovala i příklady z praxe, které autorka zažila. Trochu mi ale přišla zbytečná tabulka vysvětlující, kdy koni vyroste jaký zub. Nechala bych to do odborné veterinární publikace o anatomii koní, protože zde to bylo trochu zbytečné.

[marsha prock · Rating 1 out of 5]

I THINK this might be a cheap read for someone who doesn't have any experience and does not own a horse. I found one basic premise that was true. One. Horses have eyes set on the sides of their head, therefore idiots who run up straight at a horses are in their blind spot. I figured this out with a Mexican burro at age eight. For the rest of the book there is no information for an experienced horse person. There is no allowance for the differences in how an Arab might think and how a Tennessee Walking Horse might process information from humans. This is a dangerous lack of intrinsic knowledge. By breed, by sex, by personal intellect each horse, and I've ridden most breeds, thinks and reacts to humans differently. I prefer stallions and boss mares for intellect and the challenge, but this author would make you think handling a breeding stallion and a child-safe gelding is all the same game. Read because it's cheap, but learn by spending time with horses---not this book.

[Jessica Swanson carcerano-wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just adopted my first horse, a senior companion only gelding. I wanted a book to help me understand my horse’s body language & how best to work with him. This book does some of that - and that part of the book is GREAT - but unfortunately I felt like there was a lot of information that I didn’t need especially around training and riding. Really informative book - just wish it stayed truer to the title. Despite feeling like this goes off topic, Cherry Hill CLEARLY knows horses very well. Her writing style is concise & easy to understand & I think this is a really good book for a beginner like me. I will be checking out her other titles.

[Cindy Adair · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a “newbie” to working with a trainer and helping to exercise horses where I volunteer, I found this book to be both interesting and helpful. It is written in easy to understand language with very practical comments, observations, and suggestions. It was good to read about things I have been learning in practice - validating my efforts were on the right track. This is a book I think I will reread from time to time, and I will look for more of her books to further my knowledge to make my time with the horses as positive and rewarding as possible for them and me.

[Richard J. Barbalace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction by Cherry Hill to the physiology and behavior of domestic horses, intended more for horse trainers and keepers than riders, although riders will also benefit from its insights. Note that this is not a beginner book on horsemanship, and the reader is expected to be familiar with terms such as surcingle, cavesson, and longeing, which are not defined in the glossary. The chapters on horse senses and communication are especially helpful for understanding horse behaviors and reactions.

[Matthew Cuellar · Rating 5 out of 5]

VERY informative! I recently took on a job handling horses. I have no prior experience, so I jumped at the chance to read this book when I found it in the job's office. The book's content is lain out in a practical, easy to digest format and I've applied a lot of the lessons with tremendous success. Since reading this book, some horses I struggled with initially are behaving like angels.

Thanks, Cherry Hill!

[Hannah Conrad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must have for a horse owner! It doesn't matter if you already have your horses at home or if you're only planning on having it happen someday, you need this book. It helped me a ton when we moved to a 11 acre farm and it still does. Also be sure to check out Cherry Hill's other books!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book can be very, very dry. But it doesn't need to be interesting, honestly. Every page has important information that will, at some point, be useful to you if you intend to keep horses on your property. Not everything will be relevant to your specific situation, but it's a must-have if plan to take your horse(s) home.

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best horse books I've read... and I read a lot of horse books 🤣. Super informative and interesting. Anyone who has a horse or works closely with them should really read this. This book was a recommendation to me from a friend and man I wasn't disappointed! I learned a lot.

[Kelly Eeckhaut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aanrader voor wie meer over paarden wil leren. Heel duidelijk onder woorden gebracht ook. Sommige hoofdstukken mochten uitgebreider, maar daarvoor zal ze dan wellicht andere boeken geschreven hebben.

[Aleksandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very useful book for anybody who finds themselves around horses with any frequency. After spending three years around horses, I still found many insights that provided “aha!” moments about things I had observed in the past, and let me use the knowledge in the very next sessions with the horses.

[Krianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

It a good book for a beginner rider trying to learn more, or for someone just new into horsemanship. If you already have a background in natural horseman ship and are hoping for something new, this book isn’t it.

[fruitbatwoman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compact and easy overview of horse language and how to deal with and train horses. Nothing too specific, but a good starting point.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful - lots of good info and illustrations/pictures.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an extensive guide to horsekeeping, covering all aspects in a succinct and effective voice. There are floor plans for stables and tack rooms, and acreages of varying sizes.

[Carly Kade · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific book. Great review for the seasoned horse-person and loads of value for the newbie. All horse lovers should have this one on their bookshelf!

[James W. Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good knowledge to have for any horse owner

I found the book very informative even though I know something's about horses. It's a good refresher. I would recommend it.

[SarahCat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply the best book I have read regarding management of horses on acreage this year, and one that I will continue to refer back to.

[Mojde · Rating 1 out of 5]

excuse meeeee there is no place to read