Horses Never Lie: The Heart of Passive Leadership

Passive Leadership was a "foreign" concept to me... I have a "dominant" horse who "needs a strong leader." Or so I thought...Well, after reading this book I decided that maybe the "trouble" I've been having is that I'm trying to beat my horse at his own game... When in fact, his dominance came from fear. Okay, that may sound elemental to all you amazing horse handler people out there... I'm just learning my way around horses after a 30 year break to raise my children as a single mom and build a business... So I'm use to making things happen... my way.Learning to be still, grounded, confident, quiet, steady and consistent may all be well in good in "words." But after reading story after story creatively and engagingly written by Mark, I found myself actually "experiencing" the meaning of those words and watching my horse respond with total attention, respect, calmness, willingness and soften... Dare I say, nearly effortlessly... well certainly by comparison to before...If you're new to horses, or re-entering the life of horses after a break... or if you have been at it your whole life, I hope you'll take a moment to read this book and give yourself permission to open to something new developing between you and your horse.

If you are looking for a how-to book, this is not for you. But, perhaps, you may want to re-evaluate your approach if so.Mark Rashid uses the old school method of teaching: stories. He tells stories about how he learned to change his approach to horses, and the experiences he had which led him to deeper awareness of the horse's perspective. He emphasizes the dignity of the horse's soul in his whole approach. It is leadership with complementarity, which horses almost universally recognize and appreciate, and to which they positively respond. His philosophy is less about 'standing firm', and more about 'going with but directing'.In case you have not guessed, these principles and ways of being are not limited to the equestrian world. In this book you will find one of the better leadership primers you might ever find. I highly recommend it not only for equestrians, but for leaders in any area. You will learn much, in small, incremental, but soul-changing ways.

This is the 1st of Rashid's books acquired -- I like the format, his writing style & his story. Needless to say, in a short period I have bought all his books. There are several "great" horse people out there, altho Mark might not have the name recognition of some of the others. Sort of like some of the great spiritual masters -- & this is a Spiritual affair! -- his teacher (a true Master in his own right)was totally unknown, but saw something in Mark that warranted passing on his knowledge. Although having been "around" horses intermittently all my life & as a mixed (veterinary) practitioner, I would never call myself a "horse person". Now nearing retirement & finding myself at, probably, my final "resting" stop at a thoroughbred racetrack, I've come home with a retired bay gelding & Mark's story has such resonance, it forces me to truly dedicate myself to creating a trusted, working relationship to these great animals!Peter L. Brown, DVMUGA '87

Once in a while, throughout all the good books you read, there is one every once in a while that stands out as a gem that will forever change your perspective on life and have you thinking for weeks after. I have never as much as ridden a horse and do not ever come into contact with the equestrian world at all. But I found this book magnificent and the philosophy transcends it's intended application to horses. This is the philosophy of life, how to lead and how to teach, and how to be and how to be the person other people want to be around. On a personal level it has helped me to better understand, and view in a different light, some of the (difficult) relationships in my life and also made me see my own passive personality from a fresh angle. I think this book can be applied to all areas of life. I think this may have been easy for me to see since I don't know much about horses.With regards to horses, I found this a perfect introduction to understanding horses and the depth of psych of the horse. I also look at horses in an entirely different way. If all of mankind were like the passive horse this world would be heaven.Highly highly recommended. Wisdom on a page.

I just finished this book in 2 days. I come from the world of techniques, but I have often wondered about it. Sometimes it seems like a cruel way to get the horses to respond to you. Also, when I am using technique styles it seems like the horses eyes just glaze over and they doing it because I am telling them to, not really because they want to. I am relatively new to the horse world, but I want my horses to trust me. I am a gentle person, and the thought of hitting or yelling (like I see many trainers do) doesn't feel right to me. One of my geldings seems so nervous all the time - my guts tell me he wants to please me, but he is so afraid to make a mistake. This book is making me rethink how I learned about horses. I am restarting with them very slowly and really just getting to know them. I wish I could have him come to see my boys and see if I am doing what he says. I feel so confused about all these different ways, but I do want my horse to trust me and to want to do things with me. I would recommend this book to everyone. It also makes me realize that horses are not machines, but living creatures who feel and trust. It also reminds me that no two horses are alike as is no living creature on this earth and we need to respect and appreciate this.

To put my feelings on this book into words is more of a feat than I think I can accomplish and do it justice, but let me just say this: if you handle horses, you WILL benefit from reading this book. And those horses will be better off for it. Please, do yourself a favor and read this book! Whether you’ve got years of experience in “natural horsemanship “ or you’re taking hunters to the winner’s circle (or both- hey, it’s happening these days!) you’ll be thankful you made the time for this book.

Fantastic.Very helpful. I've used bits of information from this book to help me when I'm around horses. I share an anxious horse, she's lovely but needs to feel understood. this book has helped me do that.Definitely one to keep as if like me your memory is bad it is good to go over this and pick up other useful hints and tips.I can now spot my share horse's 'tries' most of the time and it has helped so much, she was quite a prolific napper before and now we rarely have any napping episodes at all. Even my daughter can ride her.

As with all of Mark Rashid's books that I have read to date this is a combination of lyrical story telling and thought provoking experiences - presented in a gentle and non-confrontational manner to allow the reader to decide whether they wish to go along with the information being detailed before them, or not. Rather like the entire ethos of Mr Rashid's training/leadership/partnership philosophy with horses.Very readable, difficult to put down and always a joy. I can easily return to his writings and get more out of them each time. There are layers of subtlety and plenty of rich experience to learn from.This is not a "how to" manual of methods. Indeed Rashid shies away from having "tools" or "techniques" to achieve an end, and details beautifully and with full justification why he feels this is the best route for him to take with horses. He leaves it up to the reader to decide whether that is something they can take on board and work with.His message comes across loud and clear. He's not there to claim a new method or earth-shattering secret technique to fix all problems... but believes through his own broad and deep experiences with horses that quiet calm consistency and total awareness of one's own self around horses will help the horse develop a deep and lasting trust in their human counterparts which opens the door for collaboration of equals on a grown-up footing (horses are after all adults for the majority of rider/training experience and are rather adept at knowing how to be a horse already) rather than a more authoritarian parent-child do-as-I-say type "partnership".I think part of the beauty of Rashid's writing (other than his delightfully rich story-teller style) is that he has a positive message and will not decry other forms of training as being wrong - but rather states his case for how he enjoys being around horses and leaves the door open for others to step through and join him. Or not. That is after all the point of his passive leadership style which is the backbone of the book. Freedom for the individual to choose what is best for them.

Mark Rashid completely describes the relationship I want to have with my young filly and talks about how you build this with the "heart not the hand". This is not a training manual or a book of techniques or methods which is probably why the one-star reviewers were disappointed by it. The point of this book is that it is up to us to figure out why our horses are behaving in a certain way and help them to understand what it is we want from them. If you want a book of "fixes" for you horse problems then don't buy this book. If however, you are more interested in building a trusting relationship with your horse you will find this book as inspiring as I did.I don't have a problem with Mark giving his opinion on other natural horsemanship methods. I've always been taught these growing up but always felt uncomfortable about certain elements such as using a nose chain or flicking a lead rope at a horse. Never was able to put my finger on why I didn't feel right about doing it- Mark has put this feeling into words for me.Great book. I'll be reading it again and recommending it to others.

A good insight as to where the author is coming from in regards to his horse training methods.I have to admit to being somewhat disappointed after the first read through, nice stories but I was looking for more meat on the bones, how to trailer load, how to catch a difficult horse. The stories were well written and I enjoyed them but didn't see the point of the book.I was putting a horse away after a lesson and he was always eager to get back to his stall - too eager sometimes. I had been using some NH methods to make him wait and they had been working, his manners had improved. This night as I walked into the stall he stopped at the door and when I pulled him he came forward one step and turned before backing his butt onto the stall wall. I was tired, it was late and I was thinking get in here so I can untack you and get home. Then I remembered a chapter in the book where the author had ignored the horses instincts and I was doing the same. Something was scaring this horse. I looked around and sure enough there was a dark shape at the far end of the stall. My first thought was rat, as probably was the horses, but it was a part of a rug when I walked over and kicked at it. Satisfied the horse walked in and untacked fine.For me that is what this book is about. The stories are OK but it got me to think from the horses point of view and that is why I give the book 4/5 - initially I would have given 3/5.

Horses never lie, but very few people who work or play with them can see the truths they are telling - and many more don't want to. Mark Rashid can open the eyes of anyone who wants to find a better way to be with horses than one of force, dominance and ultimate lack of communication. If everyone could take on board what he is saying there would be many more relaxed and comfortable riders and horses. He really teaches methods of communication and of understanding what the horse is trying to tell it's rider. Sadly he can't make people listen but the way he teaches through storytelling is a painless and often amusing way to allow even the most closed minded person to discover a different more sympathetic way to work with their horse. I just wish people had to read something like this, and his other books, before being allowed to buy a horse!