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Last updated on 11/18/09

Spiritual Horse Books
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Horse as Teacher

Item #BKHAT
Horse as Teacher - Path to Authenticity

Softcover 135 pages
Price - $21.95

This book is the first in a new series that brings together the writings of 10 people working on the forefront of the shift in consciousness with horses. Stormy May's contribution is the story of the horse who set her on the Path and inspired also her DVD Path of the Horse.

From the preface:
The stories in this collection will move you to tears, make you laugh, remind you of your first brush with love (in the form of a horse), and more important, connect you with your soul; because that's what horses can do when you are willing to embrace what they so naturally and beautifully reveal to you. The authors come from a variety of horse backgrounds, but they have a common thread - they all see the simple truth that these magnificent animals, through their presence and grace, can raise our consciousness, peel back the layers to uncover our true selves, and show us how to shine with brilliance.

HoofPrints' owner Gina Keesling's note:
If you are weary of the typical horse stories - a little adversity for the heroine - a mistreated horse being saved and/or nursed back to health - and the two of them ultimately galloping off into the sunset together... This is the book for you. If you've ever been on the verge of throwing in the towel because an "impossible" horse was ruining your life - and no matter what you did - you couldn't solve the problem - this is the book for you. Sometimes those "impossible" horses are the ones who have the most to teach us, and you can read how they changed the lives of the ten authors in the pages within.

Quantity

The Path of the Horse DVD

YouTube Video - Produced by Stormy May Productions

When I first learned of this work, it was many months from completion. I was elated to learn that someone was producing a documentary featuring the work of nearly all of my very favorite horse authors. I was so excited I could hardly contain myself. Then the doubt started to creep in. How in the world could a video be made that would adequately portray and explain these concepts about working with horses that defy words.

Somewhere between the six year old girl who dreams of galloping off on her wild stallion - and the professional who's work involves getting results with horses... is a whole group of us confused souls who may have worn both "hats" during our lifetimes. Now the second "hat" feels wrong, and the first one feels totally unrealistic. Describing that unknown third "hat" defies words - let alone images...

I began to have reservations that such a project as Path of the Horse could even be accomplished, let alone be done well enough to paint a picture of the "third hat" that most of us have never seen...

When the pre-release version finally came, I held my breath - hoping for the best, but prepared to be disappointed.

Within the first thirty seconds, I KNEW that videographer Stormy May had not only risen to the challenge, but she's artfully produced a very powerful, entertaining documentary that will undoubtedly change the way many people relate to their horses forever.

There is no part of this DVD that could be any better. Every bit of it is technically perfect - images are beautiful - footage beautifully choreographed with music - the interviews are very well done and you can hear and understand every single word. Even the non-english speaking horsemen's voiceovers are perfect. At the end, a song written by Stormy herself will bring tears to your eyes. Read Stormy May's remarkable bio here.

If you only buy one thing from us, ever, let this be it.

Naked Liberty Book

This book is one of my favorites. The title, and cover image are a little misleading - maybe a little cliche, (or risque) - but after reading, you realize that the image and title are PERFECT. Unlike many of today's "natural" horsemanship trainers, Resnick's methods evolved out of her experiences as a young girl - interacting with a herd of wild horses.

When your student is a wild, free ranging horse, then methods that use pressure or dominance simply will not work. Your student runs away - never to return! Her horsemanship is NAKED in the true sense of the word - nothing confining the horse or handler in any way. (Meaning halters, tack, whips, fences, etc - although Carolyn does wear clothes.)

This is a wonderful memoir of Carolyn's younger years and experiences with horses, and it shares in concise detail what she learned. It's filled with stories and experiences that she had - that weave beautifully into the context of understanding horses.

Her ideas are unique, and do not seem to be a repackaged version of what many other natural trainers are promoting today.

The Code of the Herd (from Naked Liberty)
If I pay attention and accept your authority and leadership, you have no right to pick on me.
If you ask me to do something that is for my own good, I am happy to follow your leadership.
If I do not pay attention, I will lose my rank.
If you are a tough guy, we can see who is dominant right now.
If I cannot find a leader to follow, it is my job to lead.

Carolyn is also very aware of how dangerous horses can be - and never puts herself in a situation where horse or handler could be frightened or injured. It really is the perfect book for those of us who aren't terribly brave or confrontational.

What Horses Reveal

How well do you know your own horse; can you really say he reveals all of himself to you? At the heart of the work of Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling is the precise recognition of a horse's nature in only a few seconds, followed by his transformation within minutes of the first encounter.

But what is the secret of his work? Why do horses reveal themselves to him in the briefest period of time? This book uncovers the answers to questions that more and more horsemen and women are asking. How do I truly recognize the nature of my horse? How does a deep understanding develop? How can I achieve a friendship that will last a lifetime?

In What Horses Reveal, Hempfling teaches the principles of primal life against the background of both the mythological and the real horse. He emphasizes the importance of totally honest self-assessment and self-knowledge and both mental and physical self-control, and demonstrates how a misplaced or misunderstood feeling, glance, posture, attitude or movement can make the difference between success and failure in the relationship with a horse.

In order to gain a greater understanding of every horse, the author describes in detail, and explains how to apply, his unique system for recognizing horses. All horses, no matter what their breed or type, will fit into his clearly defined twenty-six character groups. Individuals from these groups are documented by a series of excellent photographs; the pictures and text take a concept that seems a bit whacky in it's generalizations - and flesh it out until it makes total sense. If you've ever known a horse - you can easily fit him into one of these character types, and then read Klaus' unique account of how to interact with him. Fascinating stuff.

Horsemanship Through Life

When Mark Rashid finds himself lying in the dirt during a horsemanship clinic he is conducting in England, he realizes that his fall, the first in many, many years, is much more than a simple fall from a horse. Mark sees this timely accident as a wake up call that slowly moves him to rediscover the meaning of his life's work with people and the horses they love. Even as a highly successful author, teacher and clinician, Mark is forced to face the fact that he had become somewhat complacent in his work and that he had stopped growing as a horseman and as a person. Mark's efforts to recover from years of physical injuries and to rekindle his passion for working with horses are at the heart of Horsemanship Through Life.

As Mark looks back on a series of seemingly unrelated events that ultimately led to the fall in England, he begins to realize that he needs to create room in his life for the personal and professional growth he is seeking. A chance encounter with a man at one of his clinics ultimately leads Mark to become a student of the Japanese martial art aikido, "The Way of Harmony." That decision takes Mark back to his roots with the "old man" who taught him how to work with horses, and moves him forward to a new and clearer understanding of the concepts of blending and flowing with a horse's energy, rather than fighting against it. The result of his efforts is a renewed commitment to compassionate communication with horses, using honor, integrity and dignity.

Healing Shine Book & CD

Healing Shine - A Spiritual Assignment
by Award Winning cowboy author Michael Johnson

Michael Johnson's seven year odyssey to take a horse he knew was destined for greatness nearly failed. He spent a long time in that place where most horsemen hate to find themselves - that place with a horse who has glimmers of true brilliance, sandwiched in between long bouts of stupidity and dangerous antics. We've all experienced these horses - and many times they end up at the sale barn - unreachable, untrainable, unwanted. And we've all looked down upon folks like Michael - people who don't appear to know when to cut their losses and move on.

Michael tells his story artfully - a heartfelt, honest (and sometimes unflattering) saga of his efforts to reach this difficult horse using every trick he knew from a lifetime of training horses. It's got wry humor, quotes from many revered horsemen, references to the Bible, and quotes from his horses. It's a great read that is hard to put down.

And we've got just the thing for those weary farriers who are inclined to fall asleep at the end of the day with a book in their lap - Audio CD's! Michael reads his book in his delightful Oklahoma cowboy drawl - interspersed by the character voices of the horses who changed his life.

Listen to the CD's while you're on the road, perhap's Michael's story will influence your perspective on that handful of impossible horses you encounter in your appointments, those horses who's owners are oblivious to the fact that their equine charges appear to have no potential to be a safe, enjoyable partner.

Click here for more comments about Healing Shine by Heidi Bylsma.

Healing Shine - available as a paperback book or audio CD set

FLYING CHANGES

Unlike many authors and teachers who are currently exploring creative and natural horsemanship, Carter Heyward is not a lifelong horsewoman. She's a theology professor and a priest. She brings a unique, spiritual perspective to her observations about horses.

From the Flying Changes Introduction:
"As an equestrian feat, a flying change is a graceful, energetic movement that demonstrates considerable skill on the part of both horse and rider. As a spiritual metaphor, it signals conversion... This book is about spiritual conversion - about turning to the animals for spiritual help. It is about the Spirit's involvement with us at depths and in places most Christians do not recognize. It's about God's efforts to teach us mutuality."

One with the Herd

Whenever I tell someone, "you should write a book", this is exactly the kind of book that I am envisioning. "One With The Herd" chronicles Liz' journey with her horses - one of discovery and spiritual evolution. It's richly illustrated in color with her paintings, beautiful photos of horses, scenic photos of nature, and candid shots - like a horse looking in the patio door... The text consists of poetry, prose, journal entries and more - and it flows beautifully with the pictures. From the author: "I have always recognized an irrepressible calling to commune with horses, but for years it was buried beneath the more pressing issues of profession, marriage, and motherhood. When I finally heeded the ever-present call, a seeming indulgence proved to be the vehicle that would carry me to the crystallization of my life's path. This book is bound by the threads of poetry, art and various entries from my journal, each a cornerstone in my place of worship, and offerings from the shining spirit of wisdom, truth, joy, freedom, abundance and love that is the essence of us all."

Happiness is a Horse

This is a great little hardcover book that is packed with profound little gems of wisdom - paired with the gorgeous color photographs of renowned equine photographer Christiane Slawik. The perfect gift for a horse lover of any age.

"The passion for horses is a seed within you that never dies, but buds over and over again, no matter what life holds in store for you."

Rider's Prayer Tassel Bookmark
FREE with the purchase of any book!

A Rider's Prayer
Dearest Creator in Heaven,
Give me strength to guide my horse.
Make my hands soft and my head clear.
Let my horse understand me and I him.

My heart you have blessed with a special love of these animals.
Let me never lose sight of it.
My soul you have gifted with a deep need for them.
Let that need never lessen.

Always let my breath catch as the sun gleams on an elegant head.
Always may my throat tighten at the sound of a gentle nicker.
Let the scent of fresh hay and a new bag of grain be sweet to me.
Let the touch of a warm nose on my hand always bring a smile.

I adore the joy of a warm day on the farm.
The grace and splendor of a running horse,
The thunder of its hooves makes my eyes burn and my heart soar.
Let it always be so.

Dearest Creator grant me patience,
For horses are harnessed wind, and wind can be flighty.
Let me not frighten or harm them.
Instead show me ways to understand them.

Above all, dear Creator, fill my life with them.
When I pass from this world,
Send my soul to no heaven without them.
For this love you have given me graces my existence
And I shall cherish it and praise You for it for all time.

Author Unknown

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