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Think Like a Horse: Lessons in Life, Leadership, and Empathy from an Unconventional Cowboy
In Think Like a Horse , veteran “horse whisperer” and leadership expert Grant Golliher applies his hard-won horse sense to teach invaluable lessons anyone can use to live a fuller, more successful life.
Grant Golliher is what some would call a “horse whisperer,” able to get a wild horse to calmly accept a saddle and a rider without the use of force. Through training thousands of horses, many traumatized or abused, Golliher was able to learn essential lessons about communication, boundaries, fairness, trust, and respect—lessons that apply not just to horses but to humans as well. It’s why celebrities, Fortune 500 executives, professional coaches, supreme court justices, and even ordinary families from around the world flock to his Wyoming ranch every year to take part in what one CEO called “the most transformational experience I have ever encountered.”
Horse whispering may sound like magic, but as Grant explains in Think Like a Horse , it’s not really all that mysterious. The lessons he shares are as fundamental and ageless as the relationship between horses, the people who ride them, and the beauty of the West. In fact, it’s an approach that anyone can learn, and should learn, in order to better understand our common humanity, overcome trauma, foster more fulfilled relationships, and unlock untapped potential in virtually every aspect of our lives. All you have to do is think like a horse.
Grant Golliher is what some would call a “horse whisperer,” able to get a wild horse to calmly accept a saddle and a rider without the use of force. Through training thousands of horses, many traumatized or abused, Golliher was able to learn essential lessons about communication, boundaries, fairness, trust, and respect—lessons that apply not just to horses but to humans as well. It’s why celebrities, Fortune 500 executives, professional coaches, supreme court justices, and even ordinary families from around the world flock to his Wyoming ranch every year to take part in what one CEO called “the most transformational experience I have ever encountered.”
Horse whispering may sound like magic, but as Grant explains in Think Like a Horse , it’s not really all that mysterious. The lessons he shares are as fundamental and ageless as the relationship between horses, the people who ride them, and the beauty of the West. In fact, it’s an approach that anyone can learn, and should learn, in order to better understand our common humanity, overcome trauma, foster more fulfilled relationships, and unlock untapped potential in virtually every aspect of our lives. All you have to do is think like a horse.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published May 31, 2022
161 people are currently reading
2710 people want to read
About the author
Grant Golliher
3 books7 followersGrant Golliher is a horseman and proprietor of the historic Diamond Cross Ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where he has shown corporate executives, coaches, celebrities, and families from all around the world the skills necessary to tame troubled horses and become leaders and better people.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
January 20, 2024
Some lovely messages and tips here on making the most of life. These lessons are taught through horses think and how they can help us grow as people.
July 24, 2022
I won this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway. Thanks to Goodreads and Putnam for hosting the sweepstakes.
That said, I enjoyed this book so much more than I expected too, even when I entered the giveaway. This book is so much more than thinking like a horse. It’s more about trying to think like, have empathy for, and understand those around you that you are working or living with. It’s just that the author learned those lessons through his time as a horse trainer, and figured out they worked well with the humans in his life too.
And I think that even someone who doesn’t know or care much about horses could get something out of it, though I’m sure at least some interest in horses makes the book more enjoyable. I for one did grow up around horses, but only rode occasionally and never took care of them myself. You don’t have to be a “horse person” to understand the book; it doesn’t use any lingo, and anything that a layperson might not know about horses is explained in an easy-to-understand manner.
The storytelling in this book was spellbinding in a way I didn’t expect. Each chapter is titled based on a principle that the author has learned about training horses that can also be applied to life in general (i.e. leadership at work, parenting, etc.). In order to demonstrate the principle, the author seamlessly transitions between stories of training horses, and stories of people he’s met along the way, and how him and they learned these principles and put them into practice.
Some of my favorite principles:
“Be as soft as you can, but as firm as necessary”
“Make the right thing easy and the wrong thing difficult”
“Honor the slightest try and the smallest change”
“Slow to take and quick to give”
I will say that the last few chapters are not as expertly constructed. While most of the chapters have a clear thesis and everything in the storytelling serves to present that thesis, the storytelling in the last few chapters starts to meander a bit. However, the author absolutely stuck the landing with the epilogue.
That said, I enjoyed this book so much more than I expected too, even when I entered the giveaway. This book is so much more than thinking like a horse. It’s more about trying to think like, have empathy for, and understand those around you that you are working or living with. It’s just that the author learned those lessons through his time as a horse trainer, and figured out they worked well with the humans in his life too.
And I think that even someone who doesn’t know or care much about horses could get something out of it, though I’m sure at least some interest in horses makes the book more enjoyable. I for one did grow up around horses, but only rode occasionally and never took care of them myself. You don’t have to be a “horse person” to understand the book; it doesn’t use any lingo, and anything that a layperson might not know about horses is explained in an easy-to-understand manner.
The storytelling in this book was spellbinding in a way I didn’t expect. Each chapter is titled based on a principle that the author has learned about training horses that can also be applied to life in general (i.e. leadership at work, parenting, etc.). In order to demonstrate the principle, the author seamlessly transitions between stories of training horses, and stories of people he’s met along the way, and how him and they learned these principles and put them into practice.
Some of my favorite principles:
“Be as soft as you can, but as firm as necessary”
“Make the right thing easy and the wrong thing difficult”
“Honor the slightest try and the smallest change”
“Slow to take and quick to give”
I will say that the last few chapters are not as expertly constructed. While most of the chapters have a clear thesis and everything in the storytelling serves to present that thesis, the storytelling in the last few chapters starts to meander a bit. However, the author absolutely stuck the landing with the epilogue.
January 9, 2023
This book was referred to me by a friend due to my engagement in equine therapy. I'm admittedly a harsh critic of self-help books, and I would only recommend this one to folks who already have a love and kinship with horses or are considering equine. This is a purely anecdotal insight into themes mirrored by Natural Lifemanship that tout if you are able to develop a consensual relationship with a horse, you can also improve the human relationships in your life.
December 28, 2024
Grant Golliher’s Think Like a Horse is an insightful and inspiring exploration of life, leadership, and empathy through the lens of horsemanship. Blending heartfelt anecdotes with practical wisdom, Golliher demonstrates how understanding and respecting the nature of horses can teach us invaluable lessons about trust, patience, and communication.
Whether you’re a leader, a team member, or simply someone striving for personal growth, this book offers powerful takeaways about building meaningful connections and leading with kindness and authenticity. Golliher’s writing is relatable and thought-provoking, making this a must-read for anyone seeking a fresh perspective on relationships and leadership.
5 Stars
📚Disclosure: I received a review copy of this #book from the author/publisher via #Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, comments, and interpretations of the story are my own and bias free. I did not receive any money in exchange for this review. Thank you to the publisher/author for allowing me the opportunity to review. 🦄
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#ReviewByJaime #BookReview #MustRead #TBR #BookBoost
🦄
Whether you’re a leader, a team member, or simply someone striving for personal growth, this book offers powerful takeaways about building meaningful connections and leading with kindness and authenticity. Golliher’s writing is relatable and thought-provoking, making this a must-read for anyone seeking a fresh perspective on relationships and leadership.
5 Stars
📚Disclosure: I received a review copy of this #book from the author/publisher via #Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, comments, and interpretations of the story are my own and bias free. I did not receive any money in exchange for this review. Thank you to the publisher/author for allowing me the opportunity to review. 🦄
⭐️When possible reviews are cross-posted on the following:
✔️Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/jaime-loves...
✔️Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/25772...
✔️IG https://www.instagram.com/alphabookclub/
✔️Twitter @alpha_book_club
#ReviewByJaime #BookReview #MustRead #TBR #BookBoost
🦄
December 27, 2024
A cozy self-help book. Read it to keep up with the Harley boys.
July 2, 2022
This book was written so simply it was easy to read. I gained a lot of little one liners or nuggets for raising kiddos, becoming a effective leader, to being a better wife. I am glad I read it.
January 17, 2023
One of the wisest old horsemen I've ever known, a professor of equine science I had in college, once remarked that "everything worthwhile in life I learned from training horses." He was one of those old, grizzled, cowboy types, not unlike the author, apparently, who states something similar: "all I really need to know I learned from a horse." I guess that came from somewhere, or someone, probably earlier generations of horsemen, whose knowledge and wisdom is dramatically underappreciated, and increasingly being lost. They don't call it "horse sense" for nothing.
Grant Golliher, one of the most famous "horse whisperers," is also one of the most celebrated life coaches, and has traveled the country and the world, in some cases, holding clinics for Fortune 500 executives, celebrities, supreme court justices and ordinary folks to teach them about leadership, and themselves, by learning to Think Like a Horse. That entails many life lessons he includes in this book - words to live by - which are:
1) You Can't Lie to a Horse;
2) Feel Can't Be Taught, but It Can Be Learned;
3) Give Him the Name You Want Him to Live Up To;
4) Clear Boundaries Make Happy Horses (and People);
5) Make The Right Thing Easy and the Wrong Thing Hard;
6) Be Slow to Take and Quick to Give;
7) It's Not About Today; It's About the Rest of Their Life;
8) If You Deal with an Attitude, You Won't Have to Deal with an Action;
9) Don't Be Afraid to Move Your Feet;
10) Every Horse (and Person) Needs a Purpose; and
11) Show Your Other Side
Grant's worldly wisdom began with his upbringing, on a ranch in Colorado, where he was tasked with breaking in the mules his father raised, at age eleven, which, you know, if you've ever worked with a mule, is a pretty tall order for a youngster at that tender age. Back in the day, this involved the old, cowboy way of "show 'em who's boss," which, for an eleven-year-old, often meant the mule! However, as time progressed and after the accumulation of a few scars, Grant learned a new way, how to communicate and convince a horse to trust and cooperate rather than to simply submit: the former would ensure loyalty and a genuine working relationship. Subsequently, Grant's invaluable life experiences have been used to train others, by teaching them what the old timers called "horse sense," for good reason.
In a collection of anecdotes, stories and life lessons, Grant imparts his unique outlook on life, which you're likely not going to encounter from teachers in the present-day, to even laypersons who have never sat astride a horse. Like most other cowboy-types I've met, Grant's a gifted storyteller, who really has developed a gift for communication, including written communication, so this book is easily accessible for neophytes to the horse world. What may be surprising to readers is how transmissible the lessons are from horse to human. There's another old cowboy saying I've heard innumerable times which says that "the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a human."
Horses are likewise gifted communicators, brutally honest beings who are a mirror of the person interacting with them, and, admittedly, they show us all our foibles: impatience, arrogance, laziness, sloppiness, and many other characteristics we wish we could just keep concealed. Perhaps that's the greatest value they offer us - the chance to confront out weaknesses, and our demons, and to develop into the kind of person we want to be. Grant said it best himself, I think: "I've often wondered what qualifies me - a cowboy with barely a high school education - to be teaching these accomplished leaders anything. The truth it, it's the horses who do the teaching - I just try to translate."
Even if you're not into horses, Grant offers easily digestible life lessons and advice for communicating with the people in your life, and a new way in which to view leadership, for those invested in supervising others. If nothing else, the way in which he has built his business, and its longevity and popularity, are a testament that his methods work, and appeal to a variety of people. Highly recommended reading for just about anyone, not just equine aficionados, but for those fortunate few, his words will resonate all the more clearly.
I included here one of his examples of "Cowboy Poetry," because it's one of the best I've ever read. It goes as follows:
I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.
The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing, but example's always clear;
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.
I soon can learn to do it if you'll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
The lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,
But I'd rather get my lessons by observing what you do.
I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give,
But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.
When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind.
When a weaker brother stumbles and a strong man stays behind
Just to see if he can help him - then the wish grows strong in me
To become as big and thoughtful as I know that friend to be.
All travelers can witness that the best of guides today
Is not the one who tells them, but the one who shows the way.
One good man teaches many - men believe what they behold;
One deed of kindness witnessed is worth hundreds that are told.
Who stands with men of honor learns to hold his honor dear;
Right living speaks a language which to everyone is clear.
Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say:
I'd rather see a sermon than to hear one, any day.
-Edgar A. Guest
"You can't force them to trust you... All you can do is create an environment in which they feel safe, be patient and consistent, and give them the freedom to choose." This quote reminds me of something Einstein once said, that "I never try to teach my students, just provide conditions under which they can learn."
"Most people I know have a 'good' side and a 'bad' side, too. There's the side of us that we want to show the world - the side of us that's confident and has it all figured out. And then there's the side we want to hide - the side where we've been hurt or scared or ashamed or made to feel like a fool... I her from the young people in my life that this is even more true these days, with social media. Everyone posts pictures of their best side, with perfect lighting, sharing the highlights of their life, but they don't show the people in their lives their struggles and setbacks."
Grant Golliher, one of the most famous "horse whisperers," is also one of the most celebrated life coaches, and has traveled the country and the world, in some cases, holding clinics for Fortune 500 executives, celebrities, supreme court justices and ordinary folks to teach them about leadership, and themselves, by learning to Think Like a Horse. That entails many life lessons he includes in this book - words to live by - which are:
1) You Can't Lie to a Horse;
2) Feel Can't Be Taught, but It Can Be Learned;
3) Give Him the Name You Want Him to Live Up To;
4) Clear Boundaries Make Happy Horses (and People);
5) Make The Right Thing Easy and the Wrong Thing Hard;
6) Be Slow to Take and Quick to Give;
7) It's Not About Today; It's About the Rest of Their Life;
8) If You Deal with an Attitude, You Won't Have to Deal with an Action;
9) Don't Be Afraid to Move Your Feet;
10) Every Horse (and Person) Needs a Purpose; and
11) Show Your Other Side
Grant's worldly wisdom began with his upbringing, on a ranch in Colorado, where he was tasked with breaking in the mules his father raised, at age eleven, which, you know, if you've ever worked with a mule, is a pretty tall order for a youngster at that tender age. Back in the day, this involved the old, cowboy way of "show 'em who's boss," which, for an eleven-year-old, often meant the mule! However, as time progressed and after the accumulation of a few scars, Grant learned a new way, how to communicate and convince a horse to trust and cooperate rather than to simply submit: the former would ensure loyalty and a genuine working relationship. Subsequently, Grant's invaluable life experiences have been used to train others, by teaching them what the old timers called "horse sense," for good reason.
In a collection of anecdotes, stories and life lessons, Grant imparts his unique outlook on life, which you're likely not going to encounter from teachers in the present-day, to even laypersons who have never sat astride a horse. Like most other cowboy-types I've met, Grant's a gifted storyteller, who really has developed a gift for communication, including written communication, so this book is easily accessible for neophytes to the horse world. What may be surprising to readers is how transmissible the lessons are from horse to human. There's another old cowboy saying I've heard innumerable times which says that "the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a human."
Horses are likewise gifted communicators, brutally honest beings who are a mirror of the person interacting with them, and, admittedly, they show us all our foibles: impatience, arrogance, laziness, sloppiness, and many other characteristics we wish we could just keep concealed. Perhaps that's the greatest value they offer us - the chance to confront out weaknesses, and our demons, and to develop into the kind of person we want to be. Grant said it best himself, I think: "I've often wondered what qualifies me - a cowboy with barely a high school education - to be teaching these accomplished leaders anything. The truth it, it's the horses who do the teaching - I just try to translate."
Even if you're not into horses, Grant offers easily digestible life lessons and advice for communicating with the people in your life, and a new way in which to view leadership, for those invested in supervising others. If nothing else, the way in which he has built his business, and its longevity and popularity, are a testament that his methods work, and appeal to a variety of people. Highly recommended reading for just about anyone, not just equine aficionados, but for those fortunate few, his words will resonate all the more clearly.
I included here one of his examples of "Cowboy Poetry," because it's one of the best I've ever read. It goes as follows:
I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.
The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing, but example's always clear;
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.
I soon can learn to do it if you'll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
The lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,
But I'd rather get my lessons by observing what you do.
I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give,
But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.
When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind.
When a weaker brother stumbles and a strong man stays behind
Just to see if he can help him - then the wish grows strong in me
To become as big and thoughtful as I know that friend to be.
All travelers can witness that the best of guides today
Is not the one who tells them, but the one who shows the way.
One good man teaches many - men believe what they behold;
One deed of kindness witnessed is worth hundreds that are told.
Who stands with men of honor learns to hold his honor dear;
Right living speaks a language which to everyone is clear.
Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say:
I'd rather see a sermon than to hear one, any day.
-Edgar A. Guest
"You can't force them to trust you... All you can do is create an environment in which they feel safe, be patient and consistent, and give them the freedom to choose." This quote reminds me of something Einstein once said, that "I never try to teach my students, just provide conditions under which they can learn."
"Most people I know have a 'good' side and a 'bad' side, too. There's the side of us that we want to show the world - the side of us that's confident and has it all figured out. And then there's the side we want to hide - the side where we've been hurt or scared or ashamed or made to feel like a fool... I her from the young people in my life that this is even more true these days, with social media. Everyone posts pictures of their best side, with perfect lighting, sharing the highlights of their life, but they don't show the people in their lives their struggles and setbacks."
July 25, 2025
I land somewhere between 3 and 4 stars (maybe 3.5 or 3.75).
This was assigned as faculty summer reading, and while I appreciate the lessons taught here, most of what I read was common sense, and at times, the sayings grew somewhat repetitive. I'm not trying to be nitpicky, but it felt like it was written for someone who will quickly forget the lesson and need constant reminders. It was written by someone practical who isn't trying to make you stretch to forge the connections between horses and people. I like a little bit more nuance, but that's okay - the message can be more easily received by the audience here.
What I did like the most about Golliher's lessons were the anecdotes he shared about the horses he trains and the people he has worked with. He does a great job of showing that while horses may not use the types of verbal cues we as humans use, they are very much like us, highly sensitive and each needing something different than the creature next to us. I feel like the beauty of this book is that if you work in any organization with other people, there will be applicable lessons for you to take and use in your line of work.
This was assigned as faculty summer reading, and while I appreciate the lessons taught here, most of what I read was common sense, and at times, the sayings grew somewhat repetitive. I'm not trying to be nitpicky, but it felt like it was written for someone who will quickly forget the lesson and need constant reminders. It was written by someone practical who isn't trying to make you stretch to forge the connections between horses and people. I like a little bit more nuance, but that's okay - the message can be more easily received by the audience here.
What I did like the most about Golliher's lessons were the anecdotes he shared about the horses he trains and the people he has worked with. He does a great job of showing that while horses may not use the types of verbal cues we as humans use, they are very much like us, highly sensitive and each needing something different than the creature next to us. I feel like the beauty of this book is that if you work in any organization with other people, there will be applicable lessons for you to take and use in your line of work.
September 12, 2024
A phenomenal, easy to read and digest book written by the owner of the Diamond Cross Ranch (which we visited for a wedding last summer). I was skeptical when I saw this book sitting in our cabin where we stayed outside of the Tetons, however after the first 30 pages I was fully bought in. Great connections from horses to people in all walks of life. This book dives into values, principles, empathy, nonverbal cues, and leadership qualities that can all be learned from an unbroken horse and how to build a relationship. Would highly recommend anyone to read this to improve their relationships with loved ones or improve their efforts and collaboration in business practices.
January 9, 2024
I wish I could rate this book higher. Probably my new favorite book, and definitely my new favorite of this genre. It was such a well written and thoughtful read that I will be applying to not only my horses but to my personal and work life as well. I wrote down so many quotes it would take me forever to put them in this review, just know it is worth the read!
April 27, 2024
As a horse person, I wouldn't say anything in this book was shocking but definitely a lot of good horsemanship reminders especially for someone who grew up hunter/jumper. Would recommend to anyone interested in horses because it is very cool how intuitive and perceptive they are.
July 20, 2024
This was such a great read from so many points of view. I feel enriched and as if I learned tons of new things that can help with interpersonal relationships but also with managing a team of people. Definitely recommend this!
November 17, 2023
I listened to this book on my Audible. It is an exciting book about the training of horses and how it relates to relationships with other people. It had some excellent ideas about life and understanding ways to lead and get along with your family and friends.
January 7, 2024
I didn’t know what to expect when I started this book. I was delighted and surprised by the first several chapters discussing gentle horse training techniques, respect and trust building with horses and people. The chapters discussing healthy boundaries, humility and vulnerability were wonderful. I was inspired hearing a man from the boomer generation speaking with so much emotional intelligence and awareness about certain topics.
Unfortunately, about half of the book in general was full of antiquated, unhelpful advice. The chapters of disciplining children, workaholism, overachievement and pull-yourself-up-by-your-own-bootstraps discussions were disappointing. It was such a back and forth between like and dislike while I read this book. At times, I could see the value in something said but in the next sentence it would be washed over by something unhelpful.
Unfortunately, about half of the book in general was full of antiquated, unhelpful advice. The chapters of disciplining children, workaholism, overachievement and pull-yourself-up-by-your-own-bootstraps discussions were disappointing. It was such a back and forth between like and dislike while I read this book. At times, I could see the value in something said but in the next sentence it would be washed over by something unhelpful.
August 13, 2024
Very good book I would highly recommend for anyone who is in any kind of a leadership role or wants to just understand people better.
December 3, 2022
There were many things about this book that I liked, but it wasn't what I'd call a five star read. You would have to be very knowledgeable about horses and fairly familiar with the style of horse training this author uses in order for much of what he is saying to make sense in the corporate leadership world. But for someone like me - who has always used horses as a teaching tool - this book could have been my textbook. I don't know this man, but I suspect that were we to meet, he and I would very quickly become good friends. He has a way of seeing connections between what he does and how that can be used to help people struggling with teamwork and leadership. It was a very quick read for me, but certainly not what I was expecting when I picked it out to read. I feel like I found a hidden treasure!
Read
September 9, 2022Think Like a Horse
By: Grant Golliher
The reason this book can help me in my hero's journey is because the book is about teaching you the philosophies behind being a good leader, having empathy and lessons in life. The thing that impacted me the most in this book is all the times he mentioned how strong show no emotion businessmen and dads would come up to him after demonstrations crying about what they saw in those demonstrations. He said “ And I observe the same things in some of the leaders I work with. They’re afraid to admit that they struggle to understand their employees or feel clumsy when dealing with people. They think that acknowledging their own faults or shortcomings will disqualify them from being a leader. Actually, the opposite is true. Leaders who are transparent put people at ease and make them feel safe.” All his experience comes from working with horses in a way that I wish people would treat me. He treats them with kindness and caution, he gives them enough freedom where he’s respected by them and where they feel safe. It’s also just amazing hearing his story too. My favorite quote from the book though would have to be one he loves telling called Edgar A. Guest “Sermons We See”. it goes like this:
“ I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I’d rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.
The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing, but example’s always lear;
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.
I soon can learn to do it if you’ll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,
But I’d rather get my lesson by observing what you do;
For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give,
But there’s no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.
When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind.
When a weaker brother stumbles and a strong man stays behind
Just to see if he can help him, then the wish grows strong in me
To become as big and thoughtful as I know that friend to be.
And all travelers can witness that the best of guides today
Is not the one who tells them, but the one who shows the way.
One good man teaches many, men believe what they behold;
One deed of kindness noticed is worth forty that are told.
Who stands with men of honor learns to hold his honor dear,
For right living holds a language which to every one is clear.
Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say,
I’d rather see a sermon than hear one, any day.”
I would definitely recommend this book because I feel like it would be very useful to people, young or old.
By: Grant Golliher
The reason this book can help me in my hero's journey is because the book is about teaching you the philosophies behind being a good leader, having empathy and lessons in life. The thing that impacted me the most in this book is all the times he mentioned how strong show no emotion businessmen and dads would come up to him after demonstrations crying about what they saw in those demonstrations. He said “ And I observe the same things in some of the leaders I work with. They’re afraid to admit that they struggle to understand their employees or feel clumsy when dealing with people. They think that acknowledging their own faults or shortcomings will disqualify them from being a leader. Actually, the opposite is true. Leaders who are transparent put people at ease and make them feel safe.” All his experience comes from working with horses in a way that I wish people would treat me. He treats them with kindness and caution, he gives them enough freedom where he’s respected by them and where they feel safe. It’s also just amazing hearing his story too. My favorite quote from the book though would have to be one he loves telling called Edgar A. Guest “Sermons We See”. it goes like this:
“ I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I’d rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.
The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing, but example’s always lear;
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.
I soon can learn to do it if you’ll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,
But I’d rather get my lesson by observing what you do;
For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give,
But there’s no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.
When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind.
When a weaker brother stumbles and a strong man stays behind
Just to see if he can help him, then the wish grows strong in me
To become as big and thoughtful as I know that friend to be.
And all travelers can witness that the best of guides today
Is not the one who tells them, but the one who shows the way.
One good man teaches many, men believe what they behold;
One deed of kindness noticed is worth forty that are told.
Who stands with men of honor learns to hold his honor dear,
For right living holds a language which to every one is clear.
Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say,
I’d rather see a sermon than hear one, any day.”
I would definitely recommend this book because I feel like it would be very useful to people, young or old.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2022
This book grabbed me by the title. Horses seem to be majestic creatures to me. The thought of thinking like one piqued my interest. How Grant goes from "breaking" horses the traditional way to discovering a guy doing it differently and then expanding on that to create his own way of working with the horses to gain their loyalty and submission willingly.
Grant offers demonstrations and active participation also to business people who come to his ranch to view how to handle employees and co-workers in more effective ways. He talks about specific horses that he dealt with that had different fears and attitudes. Some were wild and terrified and bucked. Some ran around the pen afraid of Grant and humans as they had been abused. In finding ways to make "the right thing easy, and the wrong thing hard", he shows how he guides the horses into trusting him and others.
Just knowing that the author had not always known nor followed these rules was enlightening. He was not some guru, but someone who had learned the hard way at times and through life experiences to become a better cowboy and man. He mentions his first marriage and mistakes made. He talks about his second marriage and how it differs from his first. He talks about people who taught him which made him relatable, and I was relieved that he was not perfect.
I felt as if it would be wonderful to see him on his ranch during his demonstrations. He treats each horse according their needs and level of ability. Watching him in motion is the only thing the book lacks. The lessons he shares work with humans too. Taking time to assess someone beyond attitude and comments made, to see beyond the obvious, and to really pay attention to the individual makes it a personal approach with warmth, empathy, and boundaries.
Note: I received an advance reading copy from NetGalley. I would not have discovered it if it had not been offered by NetGalley.
Grant offers demonstrations and active participation also to business people who come to his ranch to view how to handle employees and co-workers in more effective ways. He talks about specific horses that he dealt with that had different fears and attitudes. Some were wild and terrified and bucked. Some ran around the pen afraid of Grant and humans as they had been abused. In finding ways to make "the right thing easy, and the wrong thing hard", he shows how he guides the horses into trusting him and others.
Just knowing that the author had not always known nor followed these rules was enlightening. He was not some guru, but someone who had learned the hard way at times and through life experiences to become a better cowboy and man. He mentions his first marriage and mistakes made. He talks about his second marriage and how it differs from his first. He talks about people who taught him which made him relatable, and I was relieved that he was not perfect.
I felt as if it would be wonderful to see him on his ranch during his demonstrations. He treats each horse according their needs and level of ability. Watching him in motion is the only thing the book lacks. The lessons he shares work with humans too. Taking time to assess someone beyond attitude and comments made, to see beyond the obvious, and to really pay attention to the individual makes it a personal approach with warmth, empathy, and boundaries.
Note: I received an advance reading copy from NetGalley. I would not have discovered it if it had not been offered by NetGalley.
January 8, 2023
The author of "Think Like a Horse", Grant Golliher, has an ability to understand and handle horses in a way which seems to come naturally to him. He is an expert at teaching and explaining the thought-process required to acquire horse-handling skills.
Golliher has built a business around the notion that the techniques used to train horses can be used to improve leadership qualities in humans. This well-written book consists of numerous examples of how this works. The true stories in "Think Like a Horse" stem from actual events and clients who have attended demonstrations presented by Golliher. Character traits such as honesty, ambition, kindness, courage (and others) are addressed in the stories within this book.
Four main lessons are emphasized throughout the chapters. They are as follows: "Make the right thing easy and the wrong thing difficult. Honor the slightest try and the smallest change. Be slow to take and quick to give. Always quit on a good note." Although the book is directed towards those in leadership positions, there are powerful lessons to be learned by any reader.
My reason for a 4 star rating is that it didn't hold my interest throughout. I grew slightly weary just after the half-way point. I'm glad I continued on. The last two chapters really spoke to me, personally.
Golliher has built a business around the notion that the techniques used to train horses can be used to improve leadership qualities in humans. This well-written book consists of numerous examples of how this works. The true stories in "Think Like a Horse" stem from actual events and clients who have attended demonstrations presented by Golliher. Character traits such as honesty, ambition, kindness, courage (and others) are addressed in the stories within this book.
Four main lessons are emphasized throughout the chapters. They are as follows: "Make the right thing easy and the wrong thing difficult. Honor the slightest try and the smallest change. Be slow to take and quick to give. Always quit on a good note." Although the book is directed towards those in leadership positions, there are powerful lessons to be learned by any reader.
My reason for a 4 star rating is that it didn't hold my interest throughout. I grew slightly weary just after the half-way point. I'm glad I continued on. The last two chapters really spoke to me, personally.
July 7, 2024
This book utilizes beautiful imagery of the cowboy northwest along with beautiful stories of horses and the bond Golliher creates with them, as well as the bond he makes with people visiting his ranch. He is able to tell the story of the horse, relate it with the story to the folks visiting his ranch, and then connect it together with a great message that is not one bit imposed on you to understand. The stories he tells and the messages he tries to deliver with them are very easily connected and very easily digested. The stories told are touching and emotional, thought provoking and force introspection, and memorable and sometimes just straight up common sense on how to approach life.
Overall I really enjoyed this book because it helps to provide life lessons that can be useful in all relationships and it is provided to the readers in a fun story manner incorporating beautiful imagery of Montana mountain views, Wyoming plains, and good ponies.
PS: I really enjoyed the addition and the continuing mention of a poem, Sermons we See by Edgar A. Guest. This poem really describes how I learn and how I attempt to teach my friends and patients. I was never one to learn by being told what to do, I have to see it work with my own eyes and then I have to try it and fail until I can perform it correctly.
Overall I really enjoyed this book because it helps to provide life lessons that can be useful in all relationships and it is provided to the readers in a fun story manner incorporating beautiful imagery of Montana mountain views, Wyoming plains, and good ponies.
PS: I really enjoyed the addition and the continuing mention of a poem, Sermons we See by Edgar A. Guest. This poem really describes how I learn and how I attempt to teach my friends and patients. I was never one to learn by being told what to do, I have to see it work with my own eyes and then I have to try it and fail until I can perform it correctly.
November 7, 2024
A book about training horses that is set in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the foothills of the Grand Tetons? And an author who has done it all, from champion polo player to today's "horse whisperer"? Sounds like an amazing little book.
I certainly enjoyed it. Golliher draws useful conclusions about how to handle horses and how to apply those lessons to management, parenting, teaching, and more. I have owned a few horses and that made me only that much more interested in this book. But in the end--even though I teach in a business college--the emphasis on corporate culture left me a bit bored.
Still, there are many excellent stories here. I just wish I could hear a few from the author himself, preferably while ambling horseback somewhere on the "historic Diamond Cross Ranch."
Some quotes---
"Feel can't be taught, but it can be learned."
***
"Discipline without love is abuse. But love without discipline is also abuse."
***
"It's not enough to set a boundary once.... People think it's okay to ease up just this one time. But they don't realize how much damage that does. Horses don't understand vagueness. If you're vague with your boundaries, the horse will lose confidence. A boundary doesn't mean anything if it's always moving."
I certainly enjoyed it. Golliher draws useful conclusions about how to handle horses and how to apply those lessons to management, parenting, teaching, and more. I have owned a few horses and that made me only that much more interested in this book. But in the end--even though I teach in a business college--the emphasis on corporate culture left me a bit bored.
Still, there are many excellent stories here. I just wish I could hear a few from the author himself, preferably while ambling horseback somewhere on the "historic Diamond Cross Ranch."
Some quotes---
"Feel can't be taught, but it can be learned."
***
"Discipline without love is abuse. But love without discipline is also abuse."
***
"It's not enough to set a boundary once.... People think it's okay to ease up just this one time. But they don't realize how much damage that does. Horses don't understand vagueness. If you're vague with your boundaries, the horse will lose confidence. A boundary doesn't mean anything if it's always moving."
August 21, 2023
As a horsewoman, I expected this well known equine specialist to teach me a new approach to working with horses. I thought the title alluded to that. Instead, this book took the most elementary equine training fundamentals and correlated them to human life lessons. I quickly realized this was a self-help book written by a man who trains horses. Heavy on the life lessons, light on the horsemanship.
First off, when you title a book as this one has been, it will attract horse people. It's hard for me to believe someone uninterested in horses would pick up this book. So when writing the book, you can assume the reader knows what a headstall, roan, and gelding is. No need to explain it in parenthesis every few sentences.
Secondly, it took around 4 chapters before the writer stopped talking about what his book was going to include. Just...include it.
Lastly, the editor missed a spelling error. He spelled 'diffuse' wrong at one point.
This book made me want to search for a real book about horsemanship. So at least it inspired me one way!
First off, when you title a book as this one has been, it will attract horse people. It's hard for me to believe someone uninterested in horses would pick up this book. So when writing the book, you can assume the reader knows what a headstall, roan, and gelding is. No need to explain it in parenthesis every few sentences.
Secondly, it took around 4 chapters before the writer stopped talking about what his book was going to include. Just...include it.
Lastly, the editor missed a spelling error. He spelled 'diffuse' wrong at one point.
This book made me want to search for a real book about horsemanship. So at least it inspired me one way!
June 24, 2023
What was great...
The lessons Golliher was able to glean from his work were truly inspirational. You can tell his life and career are full of meaning and have been led by empathy and purpose. The lessons in this book are applicable across a variety of spaces and easy to incorporate into pre-existing philosophies and principles of life. More personally, I have been going through a reading slump and picked this up while I was struggling to finish every other book I began. This book was a quick, enjoyable read that went easy on my brain while still allowing me to ingest valuable advice.
What could have been better...
Although the book was easy to read and enjoyable, sometimes the stories that were meant to supplement the lessons were not as strong as some other self help books offer. All lessons presented were valuable, but few ingenious or revolutionary. I think this book could have been a great memoir instead.
The lessons Golliher was able to glean from his work were truly inspirational. You can tell his life and career are full of meaning and have been led by empathy and purpose. The lessons in this book are applicable across a variety of spaces and easy to incorporate into pre-existing philosophies and principles of life. More personally, I have been going through a reading slump and picked this up while I was struggling to finish every other book I began. This book was a quick, enjoyable read that went easy on my brain while still allowing me to ingest valuable advice.
What could have been better...
Although the book was easy to read and enjoyable, sometimes the stories that were meant to supplement the lessons were not as strong as some other self help books offer. All lessons presented were valuable, but few ingenious or revolutionary. I think this book could have been a great memoir instead.
November 29, 2022
Incredible! My life has been filled with challenges and I continue to rise above them. This book reminds me so much of my father who taught me if my life is NOT HARD and CHALLENGING then I'm am NOT living. Life is meant to teach us! Thank you for this incredible book. So few people today know the basics of human connection. We give up on those we love because they have challenging behaviors. This book is an incredible testamemt to the journey of trust, love, boundaries, and acceptance. We Learn from those who teach us by example that it is ok to be humble, it is ok to fail. We Learn from failure! Thank you for your incredible book and lifting my spirits! I loved every page of this book and love horses even more!
July 30, 2022
I won this book as a Goodreads giveaway. I'm a leadership student so I was really excited when I was chosen to receive it. 😍
This book contains so much great advice for people in leadership positions, including CEOs, but also parents. It's well-rounded, exudes empathy, and entertains the reader with anecdotes about horses and the cowboy/horse trainer way of life. There are funny moments and emotional moments, but the parts that really stick are the leadership lessons offered.
The entire time I was reading it, I kept thinking of all the people I know who might also enjoy this book, so I will definitely be highly recommending it.
This book contains so much great advice for people in leadership positions, including CEOs, but also parents. It's well-rounded, exudes empathy, and entertains the reader with anecdotes about horses and the cowboy/horse trainer way of life. There are funny moments and emotional moments, but the parts that really stick are the leadership lessons offered.
The entire time I was reading it, I kept thinking of all the people I know who might also enjoy this book, so I will definitely be highly recommending it.
November 15, 2022
This book is excellent - it’s a simple as that! Grant’s philosophy on horses, people, and life in general is something that our world today is in desperate need of. And far from being a judgmental fire-and-brimstone tirade which leaves you feeling down on yourself for how bad you’re doing, the genuineness of this man’s heart pours out of every page of this book and you’ll walk away humbled, encouraged and inspired to go out and give life another shot. This is an absolute gem of a book that anyone would be better off for reading, so if you get the chance, do it!
Favorite Quote: “(People and horses are all) just living what they learned.”
Favorite Quote: “(People and horses are all) just living what they learned.”
September 13, 2024
i don't read non-fiction books often (ever) so this was kind of my guinea pig into the world of 'our reality through other people's eyes'. this book was great - chalk full of lessons on how to be a better leader, a better parent, and a better, more empathetic, person. the chapters on boundaries, respect, and purpose were my favorites (special S/O chapter 12 - my favorite chapter). personally, i dont run a company and im not a parent; therefore, these topics were great but didnt really 'hit home' as im sure they did for many others. perhaps this will be something i grab for later in life. i did learn a whole lot about horses though!
May 25, 2022
An unusual self (and honestly collective) help book. Golliher applies the lessons he's learned over years of working with horses to working with people. This isn't about taming an animal, it's about gaining trust by treating one another with respect. He uses examples of horses he's worked with but equally importantly shares some of the challenges he's faced and mistakes he's made in his personal life. I was surprised at how much I took from this. I'd very much like to see and experience his ranch. Thanks to edelweiss for the ARC. Made me think.
July 10, 2022
I really wanted to love this book. I love horses and leadershp books. It started off strong, but I grew bored by mid-book. It's a collection of short stories about different experiences on a ranch; however, many of the stories followed the same kind of plot. It became very prediticable. Additionally, I don't think the "leadership" aspect was really coming across in the page as much as this is a parenting aspect book. It'd be a good read on the beach, but I wouldn't call it the best leadership book on the market.
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