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Dancing with Your Dark Horse: How Horse Sense Helps Us Find Balance, Strength and Wisdom
In Dancing with Your Dark Horse, Chris Irwin, world-renowned as one of the most successful horse whisperers in North America, further explores the intriguing spiritual connection he has discovered between human and equine nature. Based on his more than twenty years of working with, training, and observing horses, Irwin explains how the characteristics necessary to building good relationships with horses can in turn be used to establish a positive balance between mind, body, and spirit in our own lives. Dancing with Your Dark Horse will help readers see that horses have a great deal to teach us about how to live happier, healthier, and more balanced lives.
238 pages, Paperback
First published May 10, 2005
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110 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 7, 2014
*DISCLAIMER: The following paragraphs will be long-winded and sentimental, possibly cliche to the point of nausea. You’ve been warned.*
Sometimes horses are easy; there are plenty of days when it feels wonderfully simple to step outside into the fresh air and share space with your four-legged friends. Why else would so many people voluntarily subject themselves to mucking stalls and constant back-breaking labor, often with no compensation (and huge cost!) aside from a little one-on-one time with some equine, poop-producing culprits?
Some days, though, those same horses feel like the most emotionally and physically challenging thing in the world. And that’s because they are. Listen closely, watch carefully, and horses will tell you all the things you don’t want to see in yourself. Spend some REAL time with them, amateur or seasoned professional, and they’ll show you all your anxieties, all your weaknesses, all your rough-around-the-edges.
Just this afternoon I saw some pretty ugly anger and insecurities of my own reflected in the gorgeous coffee-colored eyes of my horse, Lu. As uncomfortable and painful as it is to have my shortcomings so directly displayed for me, there’s a spark there that urges me to grow and process through the things that are holding me back; to face the pieces of myself that fundamentally scare and upset me.
Lu and I will be working out our relationship for a long time to come, I’m sure (I’m a slow, stubborn student), but I hear her and I see the edges of myself that need attention. I’m finding my strength and assertiveness (my “level-headedness” according to our author), and she’s patiently waiting for me to figure it out. And, of course, if I happen to forget what I’m working on, she’s happy to repeat the lesson. Frustrating and painful and invaluable all at once.
The most incredible part about the whole thing, though, are the moments when you finally get it. Irwin talks a lot about pain and healing; not only will horses show you your problem areas, they’ll show you your triumph when you step up to the plate and work through it. Stand your ground instead of stepping back, swing your rope in just the right direction to push forward, conquer your fear and master (even temporarily) the delicate balance of gentle and firm that gives structure to a nervous horse; regardless of the task accomplished, you’ll get the same reward. And that kind of success is so incredibly sweet.
Emotional growth is a constant battle, and I’m of the belief that we are all a work in progress from the day we’re born until the day we die. But man oh man, on those good days when you’re 100% connected with that thousand-pound sage of a creature, it’s hard to say the work isn’t worth it.
The book, by the way, was beautifully written. I’m still learning what Irwin and other professionals know in their bones, but I can say that I am so grateful for the horses (and horse people) in my life.
PS- Thanks for the book, Jackie. You always seem to know what I need.
Sometimes horses are easy; there are plenty of days when it feels wonderfully simple to step outside into the fresh air and share space with your four-legged friends. Why else would so many people voluntarily subject themselves to mucking stalls and constant back-breaking labor, often with no compensation (and huge cost!) aside from a little one-on-one time with some equine, poop-producing culprits?
Some days, though, those same horses feel like the most emotionally and physically challenging thing in the world. And that’s because they are. Listen closely, watch carefully, and horses will tell you all the things you don’t want to see in yourself. Spend some REAL time with them, amateur or seasoned professional, and they’ll show you all your anxieties, all your weaknesses, all your rough-around-the-edges.
Just this afternoon I saw some pretty ugly anger and insecurities of my own reflected in the gorgeous coffee-colored eyes of my horse, Lu. As uncomfortable and painful as it is to have my shortcomings so directly displayed for me, there’s a spark there that urges me to grow and process through the things that are holding me back; to face the pieces of myself that fundamentally scare and upset me.
Lu and I will be working out our relationship for a long time to come, I’m sure (I’m a slow, stubborn student), but I hear her and I see the edges of myself that need attention. I’m finding my strength and assertiveness (my “level-headedness” according to our author), and she’s patiently waiting for me to figure it out. And, of course, if I happen to forget what I’m working on, she’s happy to repeat the lesson. Frustrating and painful and invaluable all at once.
The most incredible part about the whole thing, though, are the moments when you finally get it. Irwin talks a lot about pain and healing; not only will horses show you your problem areas, they’ll show you your triumph when you step up to the plate and work through it. Stand your ground instead of stepping back, swing your rope in just the right direction to push forward, conquer your fear and master (even temporarily) the delicate balance of gentle and firm that gives structure to a nervous horse; regardless of the task accomplished, you’ll get the same reward. And that kind of success is so incredibly sweet.
Emotional growth is a constant battle, and I’m of the belief that we are all a work in progress from the day we’re born until the day we die. But man oh man, on those good days when you’re 100% connected with that thousand-pound sage of a creature, it’s hard to say the work isn’t worth it.
The book, by the way, was beautifully written. I’m still learning what Irwin and other professionals know in their bones, but I can say that I am so grateful for the horses (and horse people) in my life.
PS- Thanks for the book, Jackie. You always seem to know what I need.
June 19, 2024
2.5 stars
Naturally, after describing abusing a mare in front of people who attended his clinic just to keep his fragile ego (not that there would ever be a good reason for what he did that day) I was very wary of what he had to say about horsemanship. I gave it a try just because in my opinion you cant properly judge a book without finishing it.
Only assesing the parts where he actually talked about horse training (not his personal life and women) - there are some pieces of advice that might be valuable. He wrote a lot about humans failing horses in the simplest riding, and what to be more aware of when sitting in the saddle and how to ride in a way that doesnt confuse and set the horse for failure.
Overall, at least he seemed remorseful about his actions that day and seems to have a different attitude to his work (at least seemingly)
Naturally, after describing abusing a mare in front of people who attended his clinic just to keep his fragile ego (not that there would ever be a good reason for what he did that day) I was very wary of what he had to say about horsemanship. I gave it a try just because in my opinion you cant properly judge a book without finishing it.
Only assesing the parts where he actually talked about horse training (not his personal life and women) - there are some pieces of advice that might be valuable. He wrote a lot about humans failing horses in the simplest riding, and what to be more aware of when sitting in the saddle and how to ride in a way that doesnt confuse and set the horse for failure.
Overall, at least he seemed remorseful about his actions that day and seems to have a different attitude to his work (at least seemingly)
May 30, 2022
Excellent book
This book is both informative and entertaining. Chris takes us through his life's journey as he learns about the nature of horses - and humans - and how they interact. Although he does share his techniques for training your horse, I found the most interesting aspect is that he digs deeper into the reasoning behind his methods and how they grew organically from his observations of the nature and behaviour of horses.
I highly recommend this book.
This book is both informative and entertaining. Chris takes us through his life's journey as he learns about the nature of horses - and humans - and how they interact. Although he does share his techniques for training your horse, I found the most interesting aspect is that he digs deeper into the reasoning behind his methods and how they grew organically from his observations of the nature and behaviour of horses.
I highly recommend this book.
March 28, 2019
Good book. Understanding your horse and yourself is key to a good partnership. This author explains it well.
May 4, 2010
Your body language can never fool a horse. A basic no nonsense, no "horse whisperer", look at how your body language communicates with horses, and with humans. If you aren't true to yourself,then you really aren't fooling anyone else.
Techniques for interacting, and being AWARE of what you do with your horse. Kind of a basic overview book. Great read.
Techniques for interacting, and being AWARE of what you do with your horse. Kind of a basic overview book. Great read.
September 26, 2012
Interesting read but in the end it dragged as the author was returning to key events in his life and career, describing his struggle with repressed parts of his personality. It could be shorter. One message was clear though: you can fool yourself and people but you can't fool horses - they can read your attitude from your body language as an open book...
November 24, 2014
The book is interspersed with information regarding Chris's private life. If you can get past that there is some good information regarding body language and how to use it effectively to work around horses.
March 30, 2015
Un deuxième livres plus centré sur la relation avec le cheval, sur comment communiquer avec un cheval. Tout en travaillant sur le développement personnel. J'ai vraiment adoré, c'est plein de bon conseil pour bien vivre et bien vivre avec les chevaux.
November 1, 2009
Everyone has a dark horse within them. We must learn not to keep it locked up in a stable, but to bring it out in the light, make friends with it, and keep it in balance.
December 11, 2013
A little bit rambling trying to connect personal life experiences with horse training experiences.
Currently reading
August 5, 2009Love it but it is educational so if you don't ride horses you probably would not like it.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews