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Relaxed & Forward: Relationship Advice from Your Horse
by
“Do you still watch those old horse movies that you’ve seen a dozen times, just for the scenes of the horse galloping in slow motion? Do you hold your breath just a bit? Do you get something in your eye?
It’s because horses embody so much more than muscle and bone. They evoke a full range of emotions like hope and courage and valor. They can gallop straight to you with nec ...more
It’s because horses embody so much more than muscle and bone. They evoke a full range of emotions like hope and courage and valor. They can gallop straight to you with nec ...more
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Kindle Edition, 270 pages
Published
January 17th 2016
by Prairie Moon Press
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This book if full of relevant, sensitive, and insightful essays about the human-horse relationship. It is full of ah-ha moments that can alter your perspective in ways that transform your riding. This is a book you can return to again and again to find inspiration and guidance when new challenges arise with your horse. Come to terms with your flaws as a human and find new ways to treat your horse with respect and go further because of it. You'll grasp the importance of laughter, breathing, and p ...more

It’s so rare to find a book so delightful and insightful. I learned, loved and laughed throughout. I can hear the voice of wisdom Anna Blake shares as I ride and I know my horses appreciate it. Even though I am a trail rider and she is a dressage trainer, the concepts are valuable to any riding style. Read it. You won’t be sorry and your horses will thank you.

Perfect!
This book is the perfect combination of "that's exactly what happened to me" and "oh! I never thought of that!"...
A must read for any type of rider... ...more
This book is the perfect combination of "that's exactly what happened to me" and "oh! I never thought of that!"...
A must read for any type of rider... ...more

I like good writing, literary and horsey quotes and thinking about horse training. This book did not disappoint. Even more so: it made me dream of one day becoming a gray, wise, writing mare on a ranch with rescues myself. You are my kind of (horse)woman, Anna.
(I hereby volunteer to edit her next book and guarantee less typos and no essay twice in the same book ...)
(I hereby volunteer to edit her next book and guarantee less typos and no essay twice in the same book ...)

This book has given me so much to think about for my riding, and for my relationship with horses. All good things. The review would have been five stars, but it is a little repetitive (as these started as blog posts, I think) and maybe a little, teeny bit preachy--but not about helmets--everything she said about helmets is good!

A horse friend bought me this book when I was struggling with my relationship with my horse of seven years. She had found Anna Blake and become interested in her training philosophy for her own horses and thought I might find something of value for myself. I’ve appreciated the insights I’ve been exposed to through this book, and hoping I can apply some things in my relationship with my new horse. It’s not a prescription or a set of rules so much as a philosophy or way of approaching your work wi
...more

This book is not so much a guide to "how to ride horses", but rather a collection of short essays and blog posts from the author, touching on different kinds of topics revolving around horses. The main focus is always how horses communicate with humans and how we often misunderstand them. A very insightful and touching read with a lot of food for thought and opportunities to reflect one's behavior towards those amazing animals, both in the saddle and out of the saddle.
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I love this book! It's full of wonderful snippets of workable, easy to remember and apply tips. Many of them, I've heard before but love the approach and application in Relaxed and Forward.
...more

Wonderful compilation of the author's insightful and inspirational blog posts. I use the book as a frequent devotional to the art of riding and horsemanship, finding helpful advice and motivation in the stories and analogies. It's helping me become a better rider and to understand my horse more.
...more

Fantastic.
One of the best books on horses and riding I've read in years. Highly recommended. I'll be giving this book to my trainer! ...more
One of the best books on horses and riding I've read in years. Highly recommended. I'll be giving this book to my trainer! ...more
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Anna Blake was born in Cavalier County, North Dakota, in 1954, the youngest daughter of a farm family. She is a horse advocate, writer, speaker, and equine professional, teaching communication skills and dressage to horses and riders of all disciplines. She’s the award-winning author of two books: Stable Relation, a Memoir of One Woman’s Spirited Journey Home, by Way of the Barn, and Relaxed & For
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