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Riding Between the Worlds: Expanding Our Potential Through the Way of the Horse

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Two years ago author and horse trainer Linda Kohanov wrote The Tao of Equus - a daring multidisciplinary exploration of the powerful spiritual, emotional, and psychological connections between people and horses. Its provocative narrative, blending her story of prescient dreams and ancestral communication with a wide-ranging exploration of equine-facilitated therapy practices, created a worldwide demand for her workshops and lectures. She also received more than 1,000 letters from readers around the world describing their own strange and wonderful experiences with horses. In Riding Between the Worlds, Kohanov continues sharing the story of her own journey of healing and transformation and further develops the ideas introduced in The Tao of Equus, bolstering her groundbreaking theories with anecdotal evidence. Where her previous book laid the theoretical groundwork for expanding our emotional, mental, and spiritual view of horses, Riding Between the Worlds concentrates on the extraordinary stories that support this view.

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

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462 people want to read

About the author

Linda Kohanov

34 books70 followers
Linda is an author, speaker, riding instructor and horse trainer who has become an internationally recognized innovator in the field of Equine Experiential Learning and a respected writer on the subject of Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy.

Her book "The Tao of Equus: A Woman’s Journey of Healing and Transformation through the Way of the Horse" was selected as one of the Top Ten Religion and Spirituality books of 2001 by Amazon.com.

Her second book, "Riding Between the Worlds: Expanding Our Potential through the Way of the Horse", was published in 2003.

Both books have been used as texts in university courses across the country and have received appreciative reviews in publications as diverse as Horse and Rider, Natural Horse, IONS Noetic Sciences Review, Shift, Spirituality and Health, Animal Wellness, The Equestrian News and Strides (the magazine published by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association).
Among her numerous lectures throughout the U.S. and Canada, she was a presenter at the 2001 NARHA conference and was the keynote speaker at the 2003 NARHA conference. She was also a featured presenter at the 2004 International Transpersonal Conference.

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5 stars
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46 (11%)
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Saar The Book owl.
478 reviews
January 16, 2021
This is the second book of Lindag Kohanov. The first was The Tao of Equus: A Woman's Journey of Healing and Transformation Through the Way of the Horse. These books are not as a series, but this one has some references to the first.
It's the personal story of the author Linda Kohanov who has a herd of horses where she coaches humans with, based on her own experiences. She explaines that horses are spiritual beings that lives in the material world, but that are also rooted in the world of the soul. So, if we're working with these spirited animals, we are also riding in both worlds. We connect with our fears, our intuïtion, our conciousness, our strength and especially with who we truly are.
It's not a book only about horses, it's more than that, much more. Linda Kohanov takes you on a personal journey thourgh emotions, spirituality, human relations and other intense subjects, guided by horses and their own yourney. The horses helps individuals in finding their true selves, in dealing with traumatic experiences and finding their new path in life. Linda gives an insight how horses can be our guide on the emotional and spiritual path. Being a horsewoman myself, I always knew that horses have a 6th sense, but this book goes much beyond of that. It talks about interconnectedness between the horse and the human, sometimes using dreams, telepathy...For many this book can be seen a strange, but this is only because Linda is guiding us in subjects that most of the people aren't up for it.
Allthough sometimes it's heavy and difficult to read, I've found a lot of answers for myself in searching my true self and in more being connected with my horse. It was an amazing read with incredible insights.
Profile Image for Beth.
34 reviews2 followers
March 11, 2009
When I picked up this book I was expecting to find a way to communicate with and understand my horses. Instead I found a very insightful book about human nature, how we see ourselves, and how interacting with and understanding horses can help us see our own beauty and potential. It set me back on a path I had been wandering off of and pointed me in the direction of appreciating my own worth and that of others as well.
Profile Image for Pete.
447 reviews42 followers
March 19, 2015
This is the second book from Linda Kohanov, while not in a series, is a powerful book describing the strong rapport and bonding curative effect horses bring to humans.

Having worked with troubled youth and even adults, and my recognition of having a horse buddy to help drive away human demons is truly valid in Linda's books. I would recommend reading the first book, The Tao of Equus before Riding Between the Worlds.

I know that Native American Indian culture, as well as other cultures, recognize the spiritual and psychological benefits have powerful healing effects for us two legged critters on this earth.

This is an awesome book. Linda states this bonding is good for women, but I'm here to tell you men benefit equally, especially when using natural horseman techniques instead of rodeo styles.
15 reviews4 followers
August 9, 2009
My heart, my passion, my purpose - all came together when I read this book.... and I more deeply understood the power of the horse and animals in general. In this book, Linda expresses the spiritual aspects of our interactions with these beings, and how they authentically reflect our inner emotions, and can draw out and heal deep wounds, or raise our awareness to choices we are currently making, so we may move into our highest selves. I can't even begin to describe it........ if it sounds interesting at all - read it. I didn't ever read her first book, The Tao of Equus, but from what I understand, this one is less clinical - and easier to read for those who, like me, are already more spiritually inclined and open to the ideas which are expressed.
Profile Image for Luminea.
446 reviews17 followers
July 30, 2015
I loved this just as much as Linda's first book, The Tao of Equus. The anecdotes about human-horse relationships were deeply moving and inspiring. The psychological and philosophical insights were profound. I gained some some very powerful knowledge and self-awareness from this book, and learned some great tools for how I can process and heal my emotions. Linda refers to several interesting authors and their works, and I look forward to reading these other books as well. Riding Between the Worlds is an excellent book for horse lovers and anyone wanting to deepen their insight into the emotional and spiritual realms of life.
Profile Image for Rhonda Lane.
39 reviews1 follower
December 28, 2014
It's not just about the horses, but it's about people and how the horses reflect human darkness and light. Kohanov's herd and others like her out there help trauma survivors process the emotions that boil like lava below the surface yet play out unconsciously on the surface. It's not really a self-help book but a self-insight book, especially for those of us who've endured trauma at various points in our lives. You probably should read the first book TAO of EQUUS before you start this one, although if you have a particularly open mind, you might dive in here.
Profile Image for Deb Richards.
74 reviews3 followers
July 10, 2011
I was fascinated by my Equine Therapy experience and look forward to learning more about how horses can be such great teachers.

Okay, I know it took a long time for me to read this book. I was reading it between other books though. I really appreciate what was shared about the interconnectedness of species, particularly human and equine, in this book. Can't wait to see the movie Buck as I think it has a similar theme. And, I want to volunteer in and Equine Facilitated Therapy place too.
Profile Image for Monique.
167 reviews9 followers
April 27, 2008
Another book by Linda Kohanov about the almost magical bond between horses and humans. I like this one even better than her first book, since it's easier to read and focuses more on her personal experiences and less on (in my eyes) somewhat dodgy scientific theories. Less explaining, more experiencing, and that appeals to me.
Profile Image for Patrick Trent.
724 reviews5 followers
June 22, 2016
This book covers many different topics in the realm of emotional healing. Although the author relates her experiences with horses which are very touching, I wish to know better how she did use horses. Equine Facilitated psychotherapy is only one of the many different topics discussed. I wished she would have stayed on topic.
Profile Image for DreamPacker.
114 reviews7 followers
March 3, 2009
I would give this one 6 stars. It was more than amazing. The insights were incredible. Should be a "must have" reference for anyone doing any kind of intuitive work, life coaching, psychological counseling, horse training or training people to be around horses.
Profile Image for Audrey.
12 reviews
March 12, 2009
I loved this book. The author talks about equine assisted psychotherapy. I learned a great deal about the process of healing from a horse's vantage point. Horses, like all animals are pure source energy and they do an amazing job of helping us to remain authentic and truthful.
Profile Image for Holly.
305 reviews4 followers
March 27, 2008
Recommended to those horse people out their who read and enjoyed The Tao of Equus. This is the next step in Linda's journey.
3 reviews1 follower
April 3, 2008
A new way to consider relationship between the world of animals and humans. We may not be as smart or powerful as we think we are when it comes to the big scheme of things.
11 reviews
May 31, 2008
This book was a great read for me, maybe not for everyone as it is very psychological but those who value horses should read
4 reviews4 followers
November 29, 2008
More of the same wisdom about horses' sensitivity; case by case discussions of how people have experienced relief, love, and enrichment from horses
2 reviews
July 20, 2017
Although I have never been particularly drawn to horses, I read this book on the recommendation of a friend, and I'm very, very glad I did!
The inspirational accounts of personal growth and change, as a result of individuals interacting with horses, are what moves me most about the book. It seems that horses have the capacity to sense when people are "incongruent," that is, for example, they're trying to smile and act happy, even though they're upset or troubled. People who are like that make horses very upset. According to Linda, once the person admits to themselves what they really feel, the horse calms down immediately, it's not necessary for the person to understand why they feel whatever they're feeling.
I recommend this book highly, not only to people who are interested in horses, but to everyone who is interested in expanding their understanding of themselves, or in spirituality in the broadest sense, or in expanding their understanding that humans are just one of the species around. I found the theorizing a little far out at first, but as I went along, it seemed to make more and more sense.
Profile Image for Khia Marin.
2 reviews
April 8, 2024
I found this book deeply satisfying on a personal level. I had never heard of its author until the day I saw it on a bookshelf near my home, and though I had heard briefly of the therapeutic power working with horses could have for humans, I had no idea of the wonderfully revolutionary things this kind of work made possible at the frontier of human thought, where the prevailing paradigm (in place here in the Western World for many hundreds of years) regarding the right way to relate with some of the other species that share this planet with us lives and where, through Kohanov's experiences (and those of others participating in this kind of work), interpreted so insightfully and then shared so bravely (for some of those experiences are truly amazing) this paradigm may potentially be reborn (re-formed). What impressed me most was how much the horses themselves have to share with the rest of us. Simply and clearly written, and the material itself is fascinating. Thank you, Linda. What a great read!
107 reviews
July 24, 2018
I LOVED this book. I came across it by total chance, even though I have been deeply fascinated by Equus therapy for a while. Linda's voice reminded me of my own inner voice and I found myself in so many of the stories shared in this book. I cried along with several of them, finding deep parallels and therapy in the experiences of her participants. Now I not only know this is the work I am meant do, I can't wait to read all of Linda's books. Her writing style in honest, well researched, and entirely poetic. Highly recommend this for anyone who struggles with their sense of self.
Profile Image for Rania.
104 reviews
November 29, 2019
One more amazing book by Linda! I loved it! I can't wait to read the rest of her books and learn more about horses and human relationships. It has helped me a lot to understand my horse and to start to recognize signs of what he wants to tell me in several situations!
Profile Image for Carolien Staal.
5 reviews
August 14, 2017
This is a book you do not read but study. Very intelligently written with lots of interesting insights. It is not a specific horse-book. It would be useful in psychology classes.
Profile Image for Shelley.
488 reviews19 followers
August 29, 2017
Grabbed this because I enjoyed "Tao of Equus", but was unimpressed with this book.
Profile Image for Lindsay.
78 reviews
October 22, 2023
This book has potential, but it jumps all over the place and feels scattered.
Profile Image for Maria Jansson.
70 reviews15 followers
August 5, 2016
Some revolutionary thoughts, when it comes to the wisdom horses volunteer to share with us. Very interesting reading, with many case studies about the healing potential of the horse-human bond. Some things I would have to digest further, to fully understand, others I can clearly relate too. Horses are highly sensitive to energies, and the calmer, more quiet we humans are, the more we can tune in to their vibrations. Something that is explained time after time in "Riding between the worlds".

A thoroughbred rescue mare told me that I was pregnant, before the pregnancy test did. She walked right up to me, while I was walking through a big pasture, and placed her head on my stomach. Standing still for several minutes, breathing softly in what I felt was "inside of me". Having experienced several similar things with horses, I know that this book is not a creation of the authors imagination. Even though some things can be hard to grip, if you haven't spent any time around these magnificent animals. This book is a great contribution to mankind. Read her first book first, if you are curious about this one. That will give this book a deeper meaning, and be easier to understand.
Profile Image for Dorothea.
4 reviews
October 14, 2013
I enjoyed this book, and the insights it brought to light about how horses can help humans process their world and emotions. Only reason for 3 instead of 4 stars is that I lost interest about 3/4 of the way through and really had to MAKE myself finish it... Seemed to drag on toward the end. But well worth the read if you are interested at all in horses, human emotion and/or the interactions of the two!
Profile Image for Dorothy.
40 reviews2 followers
January 22, 2012
Enjoying, and appreciating the words of this remarkable horse "whisper". Very deep at times, but I can myself coming back for insight into my own riding issues.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews

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