The Equine Listenology Guide - Essential horsemanship, horse body language & behaviour, groundwork, in-hand exercises & riding lessons to develop softness, ... & collection.

by Elaine Heney

Enjoy this 'Listening to the Horse' inspired equestrian book, packed full of stories, lessons, case studies and training exercises for you & your horse. This book is the first book in the Equine Listenology trilogy, which includes a companion workbook & journal. Perfect for both English & western riders.

This Listenology guide also includes lots of in-hand, groundwork and riding homework for you to try out at home with your horse. Plus all readers are invited to join our free online equestrian community & meet others who understand the importance of listening to the horse.

Book

The Listening to the Horse documentary14 Cornerstone principles of ListenologyGroundwork & in hand exercises10 minute lessons and bad weather exercisesThe #1 lead rope mistake to avoidThe no pull training exerciseConfidence training & ground workWalking in hand with your horseHerd bound and barn sour horsesLiberty work and partnership buildingDancing with Matilda & horsemanship6 Benefits of polework exercisesCavaletti training exercisesSideways exercises & dressageLateral work & collectionHow to start shoulder outThe Royal Stables in Cordoba, SpainWhich bitless bridle is right for my horse?Does my saddle fit my horse?The comfort zone riding exerciseHow to use less rein cuesRiding one handedThe changing direction exercisePosture & the still shoulders exerciseThe lower back riding exerciseThe Holy Grail of horse ridingFootfall sequence exerciseFun with ConesFun with PoleworkThe Balance BootcampOther books in this .

Equine Listenology workbookEquine Listenology journalEquine Listenology diaryElaine Heney is the #1 best-selling author, award-winning film-maker, director of Grey Pony Films, and creator of the 'Listening to the Horse™' documentary. She has helped over 120,000+ horse owners in 113 countries to create awesome relationships with their horses.Elaine lives in Ireland with her horses Ozzie & Matilda. Discover Elaine’s series of world renowned online groundwork, riding & training programs at Grey Pony Films.

Genres: Horses, Nonfiction

275 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 21, 2021

About the author

Elaine Heney is an Irish horsewoman, film producer at Grey Pony Films, #1 best-selling author, and director of the award-winning 'Listening to the Horse' documentary. She has helped over 120,000+ horse owners in 113 countries to create awesome relationships with their horses.

Elaine's mission is to help horse owners around the world to listen to their horses and make the world a better place for the horse through her award-winning movies, DVDs & online training courses. She lives in Ireland with her horses Ozzie & Matilda.

Elaine offers online courses in confidence building, polework, lateral work, liberty training, dressage & listening to the horse at Grey Pony Films.

Reviews

[Marylon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the book from beginning to end, savoring every word. There was a lot of clicking in my head. Lots of recognition, affirmation of things I do right in my horsemanship and confronting mirrors of thing I have to improve and learn. I loved the book, writing and stories. Great literature for every horse owner!

[Lisa Call · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book quite a lot. It is easy to read and I loved the stories she included of her horses, Ozzie and Matilda. I recently bought a four year old OTTB mare (just off the track and not yet restarted) in December. I found Elaine’s documentary and books when researching natural horsemanship. I knew I wanted to find a method of training that built a partnership with the horse vs the old adage of “show the horse who’s boss and make them do it” method. I am very excited to begin our journey together and practicing all the wonderful exercises shown in the book. I have also purchased her groundwork and Liberty training video courses. She has given the reader a great deal of basic knowledge in a very simple way that is easy to understand and implement with your horse. The only thing that did give me a bit of pause is there are a few instances where she says if you don’t do something correctly it can have huge negative consequences. For example when she is talking about footfall and how to learn to know where your horses feet are so you can improve your timing on asking them to move forward, turn, step backwards, etc. she gives a list of these negative consequences if your timing is wrong. I understand that these things need to be pointed out in order for us to know why learning footfall is so beneficial, but now I feel apprehensive and a bit anxious about getting it right for fear of the consequences to my horse and our relationship. I’m sure that it is because of my personality traits (I tend to be a perfectionist) that this is causing me angst, but did feel it was worth mentioning. I am still excited about implementing all the exercises and things I have learned from the book but I do have a bit of anxiety that I’m not sure I would’ve had if I didn’t feel like a mistake as seemingly simple as asking a horse to turn at the wrong moment could have a list of negative consequences. Obviously since I have purchased her video courses (as well as two of her other books) I still very much want to follow her teachings. I guess I just wish that I had finished the book and was ready to begin our training with only excitement and not this underlying bit of anxiety and pressure to get it right.

[Paddy Hennessey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely read while so informative and fun

Elaine writes like she speaks which is why I enjoyed this book. Her love , kindness and passion for horses is so genuine. Her stories of working with Ozzie and Matilda make it so relatable. If you truly listen as you read this book you can feel the relationship with your horse change in your mind, you go to the barn with a different perspective. I have been following and taken some of Elaines courses and I'm getting such compliments about my relationship with my horse.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is easy to read and well-intentioned. The advice throughout, while not groundbreaking, is mostly useful. Some of the points felt heavy-handed to me, but I appreciate the author’s strong opinions even if I didn’t agree with every single point. There were places in the book where I felt others should have been credited for key points and ideas, but it’s possible the author simply came to the same conclusions as others have. Overall, definitely a good read, with useful advice, information, and reminders for ‘horsepeople’ of all levels.

[Barbara Schmid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Exercise Activities to Better Horsemanship

I really appreciate the riding exercises. They help keep me focused on improving communication while having a plan. I feel we can only improve our riding by settings reasonable goal in a organized fashion. This can only be done by planning, practice, recording progress, analyzing, and then increasing or extending progress thru incremental steps. Keeping a riding journal allows me to ride a tiny bit better each ride.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've just returned to the horse world and want to put my best foot forward with getting back into riding. I really like Elaine's approach as it's the path of understanding that I want to walk with the horses I work with. A few of these chapters are things my own instructor has been correcting me on! So I really appreciate the exercises that will help me along with that. In fact I may be sharing this book with my instructor and my aunt so I can use these exercises on her horse!

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although initially it seemed a bit thin and more of a promo for her extended series, this book does an excellent job of explaining collection, how to achieve it, and why it is so important. Her lessons are short and easy to follow and a complementary “fill in the blanks” companion for my regular professional trainer. Also loved the tutorials on groundwork.

[Claire Milne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this book easy to read and appreciated the homework exercises. Really got me thinking about how to work with my ponies. Only reason a four rather than five star, was because as someone who will be driving rather than riding her pony there were dome parts that were not as relevant (albeit still very interesting). Will be reading and following more of Elaine Heney.

[Jeannine Winkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book that every horse person should read for a better understanding and more harmonious relationship with horses. There are so many seemingly little things to ponder about, a very eye opening book.

[Brooke S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book for its intended audience. It is NOT meant for someone who is just getting back into horses and wants a refresher. If you own a horse and want to improve your relationship with it or try to experience a different method of training, then this IS the book for you.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me and my horse non fiction - nothing to see here unless you’re a fellow horse girl. Then DM me.

[Roz Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book but would have preferred some more explanations and building on exercises

[Josie Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to follow and lots of stories resonated. A worthwhile guide to have in your back pocket, as the chapters and “takeaways” are easy to go back to.