A Horse by Nature

Renowned wild horse ecologist Mary Ann Simonds provides a soup-to-nuts manual for stress-reduction in performance horses. Based on her 30-plus years of personal research and experience of wild horse ecology and domestic horse behaviour, as well as data provided by other equine scientists, readers will find a foundation of understanding related to the natural life cycle and history of the horse, from birth to forming friendships and families. The importance of gender, age, breed, culture, and habitat in the horse’s natural development are clarified.Simonds then explores horse-human relationships, communication, care, and training, as well as “the things we do with horses,” clarifying how to reduce the stress typically experienced by horses when pursuing specific equestrian disciplines and activities.Throughout, colour-coded tips, indicating whether its information is “Essential,” “Important,” “Makes Life Better,” or “Ensures Safety,” highlight the different ways riders and trainers can address the horse’s quality of life to ensure stress is minimised or negated whenever possible. Simonds analyses all manner of equestrian activities, including:- Pleasure riding, trail riding, and keeping horses at home.- Training for sport or performance.- Horse shows and competition.- Human-animal interaction programs, such as equine-assisted therapy and horse tourism.- Equine bodyworkers, including chiropractors, acupuncturists, and massage therapists.- Rescues and wild horses.- Clinical work and research.- Shipping and travel.- Sales barns and boarding barns.Fun, friendly, and informative, A Horse By Nature is designed to help both novices and experts gain better insight into how horses think, feel, learn, and generally perceive our human world. It also looks at humans and gives suggestions as to how we can change our own thinking or behaviour to better understand our horses, eliminating unnecessary stress and inhumane treatment while ensuring healthier, better performing equines, whatever the equestrian pursuit.

"A Horse By Nature is filled with amazing color photographs of horses in the wild and with various trainers. Color-coded, personal anecdotes and insightful tips are woven throughout the text. [It] belongs on the shelf of everyone who loves horses. It's an insightful and rewarding read." --Cowgirl Magazine

"A Horse by Nature allows readers to get deep inside the psyche of horses, to formulate a plan to better meet their needs, and to train them with logic and empathy, using methods that make sense and that get results." --Julie Goodnight, Trainer and Horsemanship Clinician

"Horses have survived in the wild for hundreds of thousands of years. But life has changed--all horses used to be free, now most are not. Since we humans are guardians to the beautiful horses in our lives, it's important we are aware of their genetic makeup and understand how to work with their nature. For this reason, anyone and everyone who cares about animals should read this book--especially young riders, so they start off right." -Joe Fargis, Horseman, Educator, Olympian

"This book provides suggestions and some directional ideas of how we can all move together for the good of the horse, which I think is so important." --Duncan Peters, DVM, DACVSMR

"This is a great book. If you suspect you're not going to be able find the time to spend years or even months sitting out on a range observing how horses really relate to each other, to their environment, and to us, then (grab a cup of coffee, and) get this book." --Jim Masterson, Founder of the Masterson Method(R) and author of Beyond Horse Massage

"One of the most educational books that I have read in a long time. Mary Ann has provided us with the Toastmasters International version of how to learn to fully listen to what horses are trying to tell us in an effort to for us to be better communicators with horses. She has done an outstanding job in outlining how to be respectful and effective in participating in a horse-human conversation." --Kevin Haussler, DVM, DC, PhD, Dipl. ACVSMR

"Horse enthusiasts will absorb decades of insight, wisdom, and compassion from an extraordinary, gifted horse woman. Illustrative photos expand the insights, as one photo is worth a thousand words. The superb editing by Rebecca Didier, creates an informative, yet delightfully easy read. Integrating communication through subtle senses and learning about more profound degrees of horse/human communication will deepen your connection with your horse. Read, absorb, and smile as you expand your awareness." --Allen Schoen, DVM, MS., PhD. (hon.), co-author, The Compassionate Equestrian

"This book is a treasure for every horse lover, whether for the professional with decades of experience or for someone just starting with horses. The genetic match between wild and domestic horses proves the similarity in behavior as well. Mary Ann Simonds, an experienced wildlife biologist takes us inside the world of wild horses and shows us how uniquely social and exceptionally cooperative horses, wild and domestic alike, are. She opens our eyes to their learning behavior and well-being. Understanding horses, recognizing their body language, being able to communicate with them, and avoiding stress, are all key to working together successfully. It awakens joy and curiosity to recognize one's own horse's personality and individuality and develop empathy. This book is nothing less than the key to a truly better world for horse and man, opening eyes and the heart." --Dr. Dorothe Meyer, Veterinarian Specializing in Equine Performance Physiology and Nutrition

"I applaud Mary Ann's work, research and efforts in writing this book... she has helped bring a lot of necessary conversations to the fore and given us all the proper context to engage is such dialogue."

--Tom O'Mara, horse show parent

"Read this book. For your horse's sake, for your own desire to be the best rider and trainer you can be, and for the sake of the entire horse industry." --US Dressage Federation Connections Magazine

Mary Ann Simonds has worked as a researcher, educator, coach, and consultant for over 30 years in the fields of human and animal behaviour, communication, consciousness, and ethology. She is known throughout the world as an expert in the fields of animal behaviour and human-animal interactions.

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