Be with Your Horse: Getting to the Heart of Horsemanship

In constrast to some of the other reviewers, I found this an immensely useful book - if every horse owner in the UK read it, understood it (which wouldn't be hard, it has to be one of the most lucidly written of the current crop of NH books) *and applied what they'd read*, horse ownership in this country would be revolutionised. I speak as a vet and a horse owner who despairs of people who understand nothing of horse behaviour or human-horse interaction - it's not their fault, they've simply never been taught. But here is that teaching, laid out in plain English. In brief, maintain your personal space and gain control over the horse's movement on the ground - but how many people can actually do that? How many have horses that walk over them or can't bend or can't even stop reliably? Go to any horse show and watch. It's not a pretty sight.The great difference between this and, say, the books by the Dorrance brothers (which say much the same thing, only in long-winded, impenetrable american-ese) is that it's written in English, by an Englishman who deals with English horses in England, not by a cowboy who finds it useful to devote and entire chapter to telling you how to tie on a rope halter and fix mecate reins. This book doesn't assume you've been riding the range since you were born or that you have a thousand acres of Nevada desert to ride in. It starts from the premise of someone who came to horses later in life and learned what we all need to know. Get it, read it, understand it, use it... your life with your horse will be different.

I have been compelled to write a review of this book because it is one of the most helpful and clearly written on this subject - and I have read many others! I own two horses and work with Equine Facilitated development for business people and for horse owners. This book manages to capture everything that describes why the relationship between people and horses works, or doesn't work. Finally an excellent book which highlights what horses need from us and how we as humans can offer this to them. No join up, no chasing round a pen, no trying to mimic the horses own body language in the herd. Simply UNDERSTANDING a horse is a horse, and will interpret, learn, behave based purely on that fact. What we have to do is change our human interpretations of their behaviour into how a horse (prey animal, survival instincts, need for security etc.) sees a situation. Only then can we provide what they need to succeed. Tom Widdicombe writes in a flowing and non-patronising way. He avoids falling into the overly spiritual trap many of this kind of text fall into. By the time you have finished reading it you will feel like he is a friend with an excellent pot of advice to share. Most importantly this book is not a quick fix of tricks. It recognises that every horse and person is an individual and we all have to find a way to work which suits us. He offers only the principles of good horsemanship which I promise you, if you think about how you might apply them in your equestrian pursuits you will see and feel improvements by the bucket load! An absolute must read, if not for you, read it for the sake of your horse!

This was an ok book a little bit long winded took a while to get to the point. I have a lot of natural horsemanship books which are really good but this isnt one of them. The author obviously knew his stuff and did seem to genuinely care so the fact I didnt like this book is not meant to be direspectful.

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An eye-opening read. I'm a nervous rider with a naughty young horse looking for some kind of direction. Ive always been a firm horse handler but this book showed me a far more pleasurable way to get results. It's not full of tactics or specific ways, it just illustrates a greater understanding between horse and rider which we can all enjoy. Following Tom's calm ways of doing things really makes the relationship between horse and rider so much easier, even when my horse annoys me. He really gives a beautiful insight into the horses point of view on matters and makes it so easy to see why we all get things wrong. Plus, the book is so easy to read, and he's a wonderful man.Absolutely brilliant, every horse owner should read this!

This book is in horrendous condition, not 'very good' as listed. I bought this as a gift and am totally unable to give it to my very good friend. It has a badly creased cover, hay, straw, dirt, mould inside, bent pages. The overall appearance and condition should have rendered it unfit for sale. Really saddened as was looking forward to giving this as a gift. Not worth any stars, and certainly not a penny of my money.