Considering the Horse: Tales of Problems Solved and Lessons Learned, Second Edition

Being a good horseman doesn't mean you won't have any problems with your horses. Even the very best horsemen run into problems. It is the manner in which they approach and solve these problems, and prevent new problems from developing, that makes them good horsemen. As the title suggests, this book is about considering the horse, and seeing the problem from the horse's side. Many problems develop when we forget that we are working in partnership with the horse, and listen only to ourselves, turning the partnership into dictatorship. Considering the Horse covers several common problems encountered when working with horses, and shows you how a different approach, consideration and patience can solve most problems and prevent further problems developing. The author has placed a lot of emphasis on time and patience. He states that some problems may have developed over a number of months or years, so we cannot expect to solve them in minutes. Often, we lose patience and use force to get the end result as quickly as possible. However, jumping to conclusions will not solve the actual problem and will often make it worse, making the task even harder the next time, both for the horse and the person. If we take the time to solve the problem properly the first time, we will not have to spend more time fixing an even bigger problem in the future.Considering the Horse is not a book of answers. It focuses on the approach rather than the solution, giving you enough information to form a base on which you can think for yourself, and in doing so, find solutions yourself. Through the many stories of the author's personal experiences, he shows you that there are solutions to most problems-we simply need to look to the horse to find them. Often, the solution to a problem is simpler than we think. Many problems are based around fear or misunderstanding, which we often interpret as deliberate bad behaviour on the horse's part. If we look and listen to the horse's view on the problem, we will be able to pinpoint the cause and consequently find a solution. This mindset will make a better, more considerate horseman, and will enable us to find solutions to other problems not talked about in this book.Considering the Horse is an excellent training manual, not for training the horse, but for training the horseman. It reminds us to listen to the horse-the other, quieter voice of the partnership which we too often forget to acknowledge.

I wish I had read Mark’s books the day they were published. My first horses, now gone to greener pastures, would have been so much happier with me. My new guys are going to benefit from Mark’s incredible knowledge. Besides being an incredible horse trainer he is an incredible writer. Thank you Mr. Rashid for taking the countless hours to write what you have learned in life so we can give our horses the best deal. You are a special man!

I’m a new horse owner and I found this to be an extremely helpful introduction to the variety of issues that can arise, always with a compassionate solution.

This is the third Mark Rashid book that I have read and continue to find new horse wisdom through wonderful stories. As a novice horsewoman with two Tennessee Walkers and a Mustang filly, I have always been interested in having partnerships with my horses. What has been meaningful is learning how to understand what my horses are telling me.

I'm a new horse owner who has become addicted to Mark Rashid's books in general. If you want to understand your horse better, and how to better understand and improve your partnership, then here is a great collection for your growing equine library. I enjoy his story format, vs. a clinical explanation, it somehow personalizes what he is teaching us. It now seems that whenever my Rocky Mtn is acting silly, I don't just react, but ask myself what my horse is telling me and why, and reflect on what Mark might have done or would do in this circumstance. Rashid has taught me to use the thinking side of my brain, which is exactly what we expect our horses to do.The only downside is that I'm rapidly running out of his books as each one becomes quickly consumed during the evening hours. And personally, I'm still trying to figure out why there are no photos in his books, but great illustrations and drawings, and you can never find a picture of Mark.

I love Mark Rashid's writing style (RASH-id). Even a non-equestrian can appreciate his stories for their humor and forthrightness.I bought my first Rashid book due to the excellent reviews he received on Amazon and was not disappointed. We were having problems helping a horse adjust to new accommodations and Rashid's perspective of letting the horse communicate with US instead of simply expecting him to understand his environment was refreshing. I even wept a couple of times, especially when he rekindles the tale of "Seeing the Teacher". Very moving.Mark Rashid will not tell you what to do nor how to do it, but gives so much insight into the mind of horses that you can apply what he says on your own and solve most common problems in a patient, humane way. After reading this book, I not only plan to order and read the rest of his publications, but have booked tickets to watch Rashid in action at Equine Affair this spring.

Mark writes in such fluent way that I had feeling I am there with him and old men. Impressed by his way of describing profound true...

Patience is a virtue. Get to know your horse. Make sure it's not sore. Make sure your Tac fits you and your horse. Listen to your horse.

Les livres de Mark Rashid sont toujours sur le même modèle. Chaque chapitre est une petite histoire agréable à lire qui, mine de rien, contient un enseignement intéressant sur le cheval.Les histoires sont des anecdotes de la vie de l'auteur, avec le Vieil Homme, qui dans sa jeunesse lui a appris tant de chose. C'est peut être un peu romancées, mais c'est bien écrit et pas du tout "scolaire".J'aime cette manière de nous enseigner tant de choses sur le cheval en douceur. Mark Rashid pratique par ailleurs l'Aïkido et il me semble que ça influence aussi sa manière de voir le cheval.

Mark Rashid's storytelling prose may not be to everyone's taste when it comes to a book about horses; but if anyone really wishes to explore the full horse experience they would miss out a great deal if they dismissed his books purely on the basis that it is not laid out in a 'Do A and then do B and C will be the result' fashion.His gentle manner flows off the page and into your soul, asking you the questions that sometimes you would rather ignore. BIG questions concerning the nature of wrong and right; the blurring of human and horse motivations and the difficulties arise when we (and yes, sometimes the horse) can fall victim to in our efforts to fit in with our present everyday company. He tells you how his life with horses came to be, how it was shaped and the history that paid towards his life and work today. He gives you his past with no softening of the edges that nostalgia is often guilty of. He tells you all aspects so that you may understand; he leaves it it up to you whether you judge him for it, or just accept and realise that (unlike a large portion of horse people in this world) he would not judge you for your relationship with your horse, whatever shape it takes. All he cares is that you love your horse and in some way let your horse know it.

Totally brilliant book. I can't put it down.

I can never get enough of Mark’s stories. The most memorable is the most sad and it made me cry but the message it carried will stay with me for life and immense good can come from it. Don’t miss a horse trying to communicate with you.

I loved the other book (forgotten its name!!) Mark Rashid has a way of explaining methods of horse training through the stories of his experience. Anyone who has anything to do with horses should read his books so that they can fully understand the mind of the horse and consequently work with them in a kind and considerate way