Look into the heart and soul of a horse.
A surprise birthday gift plunged Joe and his wife, Kathleen, into the world of horses as complete n... read full description
A surprise birthday gift plunged Joe and his wife, Kathleen, into the world of horses as complete n... read full description
reviews
Jun 14, 2009
Melissa
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Jan 26, 2012
Martha
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This book was written by a man new to horses who has trained doggies. He certainly is a believer in the natural horse way of doing things. He starts out the usual way with a smallish barn and keeping his horses in the stalls with shoes on their feet. He then learns more about the wild way of keeping horses and builds a natural pasture on his land, takes off the horses shoes and lets them be more like wild horses. He also learns about the great Monty Roberts and begins to practice the ways of joi
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Feb 24, 2010
Dale
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Author Camp, who wrote and directed all the Benji movies, interweaves his story of becoming a horse owner and realizing that all the traditional ways man has used to maintain his domestication of horses are in fact harmful to the horse, with a fable detailing how the first horse became domesticated by "choosing" a human after his herd was shipwrecked centuries ago off the coast of North Carolina.
My ambivalence about this book is thus: his correctness about how horses should More...
My ambivalence about this book is thus: his correctness about how horses should More...
Oct 04, 2011
Avril
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Soul of a Horse by Joe Camp
Recently I did a book swap with Joe camp and recived a copy of his brilliant book The Soul of a Horse life lessons from the herd .In return I sent him a copy of The Healing Touch.
My book has brought me in touch with some marvellous ambassadors for the horse and Joe is certainly one of these with humour, insight. honesty and humility he describes the adventures which he experiences with his wife Kathleen when they become involved with horses starting More...
Recently I did a book swap with Joe camp and recived a copy of his brilliant book The Soul of a Horse life lessons from the herd .In return I sent him a copy of The Healing Touch.
My book has brought me in touch with some marvellous ambassadors for the horse and Joe is certainly one of these with humour, insight. honesty and humility he describes the adventures which he experiences with his wife Kathleen when they become involved with horses starting More...
Sep 15, 2009
Patrick
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Oh, Joe.
You made your point in the first dozen pages. Then you beat it to death. You may be kind to equines but you are brutal on homo sapiens.
I know this is meant to be heartwarming--your account of acquiring a half-dozen horses, learning how to care and understand them, and ultimately how the experience changed your life.
Unfortunately, the writing is clunky and uninspiring. Every other chapter deals with your learning curve. The in between chapters recount an imag More...
You made your point in the first dozen pages. Then you beat it to death. You may be kind to equines but you are brutal on homo sapiens.
I know this is meant to be heartwarming--your account of acquiring a half-dozen horses, learning how to care and understand them, and ultimately how the experience changed your life.
Unfortunately, the writing is clunky and uninspiring. Every other chapter deals with your learning curve. The in between chapters recount an imag More...
Nov 16, 2010
George
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Joe Camp--writer, producer and director of the Benji flicks--is a folksy kind of writer who hovers a bit too long on subject matter upon which he has strong opinions. The book is essentially about his and his wife's entry into the esoteric world of horse ownership and care. Camp and his wife entered this world--as I did just over a year ago--with little knowledge, and a whole lot of naivete. Camp explains that he "learned" pretty much everything he now knows about horse training and ca
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Jan 20, 2009
Michelle
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This is an interesting and eye-opening book, but its bias shouldn't be overlooked. This guy is an avid, avid fan of the "join-up method" and barefoot horse trimming, which are both great, but like anything else, they don't work perfectly in every single situation. Also, I was struck by how small his pastures were, though he speaks about them in the book like they are big and wild and allow his horses tons of freedom. In the end, this guy is a fairly idealistic newcomer to the horse wor
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Jan 31, 2012
Sarah
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My Review: Question: Why do horses wear shoes? Answer: Because humans are idiots creatures of habit. And unfortunately, our habits are often ill-informed and do more harm than good. Joe Camp’s lighthearted (and witty!) tale of discovery and personal growth reminds readers to stay informed, to be self-aware, and to be consistently conscious of the impact of their actions— especially with animals who are ultimately defenseless against their will. I don’t know about you, but I love my animals more
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Mar 15, 2010
Ysabelle
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New book speaks to Horse Lover’s Mind, Heart and Soul
Lately I have read a number of books that seek to explain and satisfy the human yen to connect physically, emotionally and even spiritually with the horse. And yet The Soul of a Horse is the only one I’ve come across that speaks with a totally resounding note of truth. Coincidentally (or not?) it’s also the only one I’ve read that is written with the unflinching insight that a deep and satisfying connection with another individua More...
Lately I have read a number of books that seek to explain and satisfy the human yen to connect physically, emotionally and even spiritually with the horse. And yet The Soul of a Horse is the only one I’ve come across that speaks with a totally resounding note of truth. Coincidentally (or not?) it’s also the only one I’ve read that is written with the unflinching insight that a deep and satisfying connection with another individua More...
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Apr 29, 2008
Mary
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This wonderful glimpse into The Soul of a Horse has changed how I think about horses, their care, and relationships between man and animal. Reading like an affable but intense conversation with someone whose experience and research has in no way dulled his infectious enthusiasm, it is easy to read and hard to forget.
Three separate perspectives braid themselves throughout the book: a wild herd of horses, a neophyte horse owner, and experienced voices of experts in their field. The th More...
Three separate perspectives braid themselves throughout the book: a wild herd of horses, a neophyte horse owner, and experienced voices of experts in their field. The th More...
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Mar 15, 2010
Katcamp
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This book is a wonderful and engaging read. If you love animals of any kind, or if you want to learn to communicate better with people, this is a must read. It shows how one man couldn't accept the traditional thinking of how to commune with a horse...he sought out how to form a relationship with his beloved Arabian, Cash. He succeeded. His quest is funny, sad, poignant and very moving. As in the book, it's for anyone whose ever loved a horse or loved the idea of loving a horse. The bond b
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Sep 09, 2009
Patty
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Every horse owner, rider, or caretaker should be required to read this book!! The author has very plainly explained how best to care for a horse, and more importantly... why. I was amazed that his philosophy on horses so closely mirrored what I've learned over the past 20 years... but he puts it into words much better than I ever could!
Horses everywhere would be much happier if people would read this book and open themselves to the possibilities.
Horses everywhere would be much happier if people would read this book and open themselves to the possibilities.
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Jul 18, 2008
Scott
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Camp expounds on the idea of "natural horsemanship"--the process of forging a trust relationship with a horse as the mode of gaining the horse's permission to saddle it and ride it. Natural horsemanship deplores the use of force and intimidation, and its methods never seeks to "break" the horse's spirit. Natural horsemanship, it is worth mentioning, has analogues to benevolent human social interaction styles. The author, Joe Camp, may be familiar to you as the writer, pro
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Aug 26, 2011
Raina
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Joe Camp told an incredible story! I was forever changed after reading The Soul of a Horse: Life Lessons from the Herd by Joe Camp.
I see horses much differently now! I better understand how they think, communicate and live out in the wild; and how we can be better
friends to horses and ALL animals. I was moved to tears at times and spontaneously bursting into laughter at others.
I see horses much differently now! I better understand how they think, communicate and live out in the wild; and how we can be better
friends to horses and ALL animals. I was moved to tears at times and spontaneously bursting into laughter at others.
Jun 08, 2008
Debbie
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A friend recommended this book to me and I wasn't sure why since I have never owned a horse..nor did I plan to own one. But I bought the book anyway....always up for learning something new.
This book swept me away. From the first to last page I felt transported! I could imagine myself sitting on the porch of the Camp's home watching these magnificent creatures. I learned SO much about horses and their SOULS. With everything that's been going on in the world of horse racing, this co More...
This book swept me away. From the first to last page I felt transported! I could imagine myself sitting on the porch of the Camp's home watching these magnificent creatures. I learned SO much about horses and their SOULS. With everything that's been going on in the world of horse racing, this co More...
Jul 06, 2008
Ddkelly
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Regardless of your experience with horses ~ love ‘em, own ‘em, would love to own ‘em ~ Soul of a Horse speaks to the heart of those who always wanted a relationship with a horse but did not know it was possible. It speaks to the heart of others who believed there must be a better way, a natural way to care for horses but lacked the knowledge or courage to buck the set of assumptions that go unchallenged. (Accepted practices that harm horses and endanger humans.) Still others are taken More...
Nov 07, 2011
Cara
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I absolutely love and adore horses, so this part story/part educational book worked for me. I really want horses (always have - maybe someday!!) and if I ever get them, I will definitely follow this man's advice - along with Monty Roberts, whom he works with (I have read his book too - "the Horse Whisperer" movie was based on him.) This book blows "traditional" horse care & training out of the water and should be mandatory reading for any and all horse owners - loved it.
Jun 10, 2009
Lance
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Totally loved this book! If you're new to horses, you must read this book! If you're experienced with horses, you must read this book! The natural approach to caring for horses is, unfortunately, not touched on enough - and yet it's so crucial to establishing the best life possible for our domestic horses. I highly recommend this book to anyone that has even the remotest interest in horses.
Dec 23, 2008
Karen
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I know very little about horses but Joe Camp's ideas sure make sense...not keeping horses in barn stalls...instead letting them out in fields...not keeping them in shoes which is unnatural and unnecessary...allowing them to mingle with their friends. I hope his ideas catch on.
Oct 28, 2011
Swami
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great book about how horses and humans can connect on an unspoken level; how horses can be trained compassionately and lovingly.
Jul 20, 2010
Linda
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Gives you things to think about that is not the "traditional" thinking about horses. Wise to question some of this thinking.
Apr 11, 2011
This is one of the most insightful books about horses I have ever read. So glad I found this book.
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Oct 15, 2010
Bernadette
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Came across this this book after visit a local horse farm, thoroughly enjoyed this story of love for animals
Sep 28, 2010
Angela
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Enjoyed this book. Recomnd. for any horse lover ! Lot's of great information and touching stories.
Jun 02, 2009
Jordan
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This book will forever stay on my bookshelves...It symbolizes my dream of one day being a horse owner.
Oct 12, 2011
Jessica
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Absolutly an amazing book. I wish I had known about it earlier when Zsa Zsa was still alive. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
May 28, 2008
Patricia
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Joe Camp, of the Benji movies fame, writes of his entry into the world of horses. He has taken up the 'Natural Horse' philosophy. This is the story of his journey, and the benefits he has seen to his horses. The story of Mouse is truly touching. He uses techniques learned from Monty Roberts (the Horse Whisperer), and other trainers who follow the natural lifestyle for their horses (no shoes, blankets, stables/barns/stalls, etc). Wonderful and comprehensive list of reference/training sites at the
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Jan 08, 2012
Kelly
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What a fantastic book! If you are around horses or want to learn about a different technique with horses, this is the book for you! I am a true city girl and I would see how some people treat their horses and although not knowledgeable with the correct treatment of horses, I knew there had to be a different way! Joe Camp is incredibly knowledgeable with horses and does a great job of talking about his experiences with horses and what the horses are doing.
