Lead with Your Heart . . . Lessons from a Life with Horses

by Allan J. Hamilton

With their right-brain intuitiveness, honesty, and sensitivity, horses offer us a unique opportunity to gain insights into our own lives and how we can live more fully. In more than 100 short essays, neuroscientist and long-time horse trainer Allan J. Hamilton, MD, draws on his distinctive knowledge and experience to explore how horses have helped him achieve clarity, peace, and mindfulness, along with spiritual insights into the fullness of life.

Genres: Horses, Animals, Nonfiction

232 pages, Hardcover

Published September 6, 2016

Reviews

[Leyla Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As my husband retrained and rehoused harness horses in the past, I asked him to read this book - below are his comments -
I have just read "Lead with your heart" by Allan I Hamilton in 2 sessions , unheard of for me.
I believe the book is written for Americans , riders , and practitioners of "natural horsemanship".
I am none of those.
But I have been around and working with horses for many years , and so often I found myself nodding in agreement with Alan , or marvelled at his ability to express what I have been thinking , but couldn't put in to words.
A very good book , necessary reading , and a book I'd love to discuss with others.
Well done Allan.
This book was provided to me in return for an honest and unbiased review

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was chock full of pearls of wisdom that could be applied to building a foundation of partnership with your horse. I was familiar with many of the principles but also learned much.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will give this book 4.5 stars. If you own a horse, spend time with horses, like horses, or have any interest in behavioral or energetic training principles, you will get something from this book.

The ideas are nicely arranged and can be applied not only to horses but also to many human behaviors. Sprinkled between the main points are beautiful artworks and thought worthy quotes.

Training or even enjoying time with horses is not quite like being with any other animal. They have a quiet energy and sensitivities of their own. Dr. Hamilton advises us that our mean training tool with horses is the mind. I found his methods both humane and sensible.

I did receive a copy of this beautiful book via Netgalley for review purposes.
I would like a hard copy for my library.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book filled with great advice on almost every page, forboth on and off the horse.

[Kerri Lukasavitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an experienced equestrian and avid reader, I'm always on the lookout for books that add positive information for the horse lover or rider. Allan J. Hamilton's book is a lovely volume divided into short chapters of horse handling enlightenment. Each tidbit offers the reader/rider a chance to open their minds and reconsider how they approach their relationships with their horse(s). I highly recommend his book.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe a 3.5

This book of short essays lends itself to picking up and putting down, which I realized after putting down, then backing up several essays each tine I picked it back up.

I found much of the information to be familiar based on all of the NaturalHorsemanship reading I’ve done over the last 20 or so years.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly one of the best books on horses I have read. His other book, Zen Mind, Zen Horse seems to be a deeper dive, but this book is fantastic. Thank you to Hamilton for writing so eloquently and truthfully about the horse and human relationship.

[Jean Salvas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for the better understanding of "Natural Horsemanship"

[Loni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snippets of wisdom. Repetitive but I probably need that.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Agreed with some ideas, disagreed with others. An ok read

[Tiah E · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one. The artwork was beautiful and placed throught the book with quotes.

[Joann · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book

[Janice Munemitsu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enlightening to learn from horses .... they are our teachers!

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

To anyone who knows me , knows I am horse rancher and love my job so much. I honestly thought hey I have had horses for 20 years I should know what I am doing . Boy was I wrong , when I started reading this book I was amazed how with my own insecurities that I was passing them on to my horse. I knew about natural horsemanship but Mr. Hamilton takes us on a journey of discovery about ourselves as well as our horses .We realize that we are to the horse and how our horses react to us .

The book is set up in a way that it is easy to read and enjoy. The short stories are easy to read and understand . Each short story is under a heading that will help you realize some of the following things like teaching an learning , mindfulness and so many more techniques The more you read the more you realize that this is more then just a horse book , you can really use some of these techniques in your every day life. It will teach you how to be present in the moment an listen to signals your horse is sending you .

If you have ever been around a horse or have been training horses for years . I think that you should read this book . You will enjoy the stories and get a little something out of it also . If this gentleman ever came anywhere close to where I live I would so go and like to shake his hand . He has written a great book that is concise and timely for everyone . The chapters are short but you will love each one . I laughed to myself a few time thinking yep my horse has done this and that and now I know how to fix it . So if you want a great read that has some great lessons in it . Check out LEAD WITH YOUR HEART . I recommend this book to all my horse friends out there . READ IT GUYS .

[Fantasia Osmonson · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok

[Ellen baumann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best gentle persuasion for men and horses

How to approach your thinking,what to do about your approach.how to persuade and allow the horse to succeed with your careful guidance. Encouraging without pushing. Dealing with horse,s fears and your own. By me




Dealing with your horses fears and your own .
Very enlightening

[Noodles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most lovely book, so disappointing that it doesn't seem to be published in the UK anymore... i just loved this and wish that everyone handled their animals in the way that Allan Hamilton suggests.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I do not know much about horses, but this author communicated how gentleness and being patient while training horses is an essential aspect of all humanity.

[Mary Havens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Allan Hamilton's approach to leading with your heart, through the lessons taught by learning the ways of the horse. Allan is a very interesting man, whose heart seems to be in humanity and the optimistic views for all.