The Wild Horse Effect: Awe, Well-Being, and the Transformative Power of Nature

by Chad Hanson

Find pleasure, joy, and calm through communing with nature's majesty in a self-care book overflowing with untamed beauty. Chad Hanson’s captivating photography allows us to observe wild horses in their natural element, offering life-changing moments of splendor, mindfulness, and wonder.

Combining stunning imagery with insights from the new science of awe and contemplative practices, The Wild Horse Effect reminds us that stepping away from our modern lives and reconnecting with the natural world is essential to our sense of peace, purpose, and well-being.

This unique nature book invites you into a world seldom experienced by humans through breathtaking imagery of wild horses on the open plains. In addition, author Chad Hanson delves into current research and lays out the myriad mind-body benefits of spending time in natural spaces. "Try this" sidebars throughout offer simple ways to get outside, practice mindfulness, and discover more wonder in your every day, no matter where you live.

Handsomely designed to evoke the allure of the West and brimming with images that range from austere to heartwarming to jubilant, this transporting book will appeal to animal and nature lovers, photography enthusiasts, and anyone interested in improving their well-being through time spent outdoors.

STEP INTO Through beautiful photography of sprawling landscapes, dusky skies, wild mustangs, and galloping stallions, this book invites readers to get lost in its pages and travel to wild, faraway places without ever leaving home. This celebration of wild horses is also a stirring call to action to protect these majestic animals and beautiful landscapes.

WELL-BEING AND STRESS Forest bathing meets wildlife photography in this one-of-a-kind book. Natural landscapes and wildlife inspire a sense of reverence, and experiencing a sense of reverence is beneficial for our mental and physical health. This book paves a path to greater well-being through nature by sharing scientific research, insightful reflections, and accessible mindfulness practices.

HANDSOME This gorgeous hardcover volume filled with breathtaking nature photography is a great Father's Day gift and the perfect present for family and friends with a range of interests, from the mindfulness practitioner to the equestrian, the flannel-wearing outdoorsman to the Yellowstone fan, the nature lover to the cowboy enthusiast.

Perfect lovers and equestriansAnimal lovers and anyone interested in wildlife conservationPeople who live in or travel to the western United States Forest bathers, meditators, and mindfulness practitionersFans of nature photography People who enjoy Nature Meditations Deck, Forest Bathing, or Chronicle Books’ Pocket Nature series

240 pages, Hardcover

Published March 11, 2025

About the author

Chad Hanson hails from the north woods—Minnesota. Today he lives in Casper, Wyoming with his wife, Lynn, and their two cats: Skye and River. Some of his favorite things include guitars, bicycles, and cameras. He also likes Big Star, pan-style pizza, and The Royal Tenenbaums. For more information, visit: www.chadhanson.org.

Reviews

[MKF · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is confused and that's not very good for a photo book because that means a lot of stuff crammed into it.
Obviously it's a book on wild horses and it's coffee table size which most photo books should be. The photos are beautiful and would have been perfect with just the photos and some information. Instead the author decided that wasn't good enough and not knowing what she wanted made it into a mess. I enjoyed learning about the wild horses and the information on horses in general. So far it sounds like the perfect book and it really could have been.
Then the author decided to include a bit of science which isn't too bad when learning about horses evolution. Then you have bits of science that promotes a more spiritual viewpoint including Einstein's quote about miracles. The book is very new age and spiritual which is a bit odd in a photo book except those little gift books. From new agey it went straight to religion and discussed religious stories and beliefs about horses. Definitely not what I was expecting from a book about wild horses and though a bit interesting was extremely pointless. What's even worse is the author included little experiments like looking at clouds and singing Kumbaya(I made this part up but you get it).
As I said this photo/history/science/new age/religious horse book is really confused.
Actually it would have worked great as one of those little gift books if the author shrank it down. I recommend just looking at the photos and reading some of the more important information about these creatures.

[Darlene Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book! Not only is it filled with stunning wild horse photos, but also words of inspiration, and tips on how you can connect with nature to manage balance and learn more about your true self. I read it in one sitting. Never have I related to a book as much as I did this one. It fully describes why I desire to be in our wild spaces among wild horses. It brings me balance, improves my daily life, and reminds me why fighting to protect wild spaces is vital to our mental state and our future as a society.

[Bibliohiker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. The photos were great along with the captions. The various books mentioned has piqued my curiosity about them. The various tidbits were a great touch as well. This would be a great coffee table book and conversation piece or starter. I visited The Badlands and Theodore Roosevelt National Park a few years ago. I was able to see quite a few mustangs; which a cool sight to see. A few were curious and ventured close by our vehicle.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pictures and quotes throughout the book are beautiful! As a horse person myself, there is a special place in my heart for the wild horses of the West. This book captures their spirit, herd dynamics/family and how horses affect us perfectly!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful photograph and history of wild horses in the United States.
This was an ARC from NetGalley.