Understanding the Ancient Secrets of the Horse's Mind

by Robert M. Miller

Successful horsepeople know the secrets of the horse's mind. All horses share 10 common character traits that affect every move they make. These traits are embedded deep within the horse's DNA and are shared by every horse. Dr. Miller explains how to predict what your horse will do, get the proper response and fix unwanted behavior. He shows how you can unknowingly teach your horse how to misbehave.

Genres: Animals, Horses

138 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1999

About the author

Robert M. Miller was an American equine behaviorist and veterinarian, best recognized for his system of training newborn foals known as imprint training. Miller is also one of the early adopters and promoters of relationship-based horsemanship. His work is often referred to by equine clinicians. He has served as a judge in the annual Road to the Horse competition, and also was a co-founder of the "Light Hands Horsemanship" concept and annual clinic.

Reviews

[Janice]

Got this book upon recommendation of Jim Swanner who teaches natural horsemanship. This book gives lots of information in a quick to read format. I'm sure that I will go to this book again and again as I try to work with our horses. I learned a lot about sensitizing and desensitizing a horse, when to apply pressure and what makes a horse go and whoa. Now I need to apply what I have learned!

[Pete]

Another favorite book of mine from Robert Miller. The 10 techniques guided me through previously difficult behavioral issues. Highly recommended for those seeking better natural horsemanship skills.

[Rachelle]

I actually really enjoyed most of the book. It was very informative on areas that I needed a better understanding. The reason I will not give it a better rating is because i was distributed when I got to pages 78 and 79 and as one of the Comforts included air and water. Then the discussion of using a noose to control the amount of air the horse can get and that its an actual technique used when training is nothing near what any one person should do to any animal. Or the depriving them of water and using it as a way of training also. I did finish the book because outside of that ignorance it does have good info. Just be weary if that crap. With so many ways to work with a horse that should never be even thought of.. Im shocked I am the only one to even mention this.

[Colleen]

I consider Dr. Miller a reliable source of information and he's a good writer as well. I have read most of his books. I am grateful he shares his knowledge as I have learned how to be a better horse person from his books.

[Emily Wilkerson]

Miller explains horse psychology from an evolutionary standpoint (thus "ancient secrets"). The roots of every behavior a horse exhibits can be traced back not only through that individual's history, but also the whole history of the species.

I learned as much about human psychology from this book as horse psychology. The horse/rider relationship only works when the human understands the horse's paradigm and perception of the world, which shapes how they act and communicate. This is just as true of human relationships.

So many things I've observed in my *less than a year* of working with horses clicked. "Oh, I get it now." I can assess what I've been doing right, and know where I've been confusing animals and how to better ask clearly for what I want from them.

[Merideth]

This was an Interesting take on horse nature.