Horse Sense and the Human Heart: What Horses Can Teach Us About Trust, Bonding, Creativity and Spirituality

by Adele von Rust McCormick, Marlena Deborah McCormick

Can horses really teach us to be better human beings? In this groundbreaking work, you will discover that the answer is a resounding "Yes". While working with severely disturbed youths, therapists Adele and Deborah McCormick discovered the best healers were their herd of Peruvian Paso horses. Through their work with horses, the McCormicks' patients were initiated into the hidden world of animal energy and instinct, and found a safe and natural way to learn about their own dualistic natures. Patients learned to tap into their primal "animal" mind and energies and apply them toward more creative and responsible living. What took days or months to uncover in an office setting took onyl minutes when patients were on a horse. You will read case after fascinating case of people discarded by society and the psychiatric community whose lives were turned around by the intuitive guidance and friendship of their equine therapists.

Genres: Psychology, Horses, Animals

264 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1997

Reviews

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two psychotherapists retell many of their tales and lessons learned using horses in a clinical setting. Great stories for horse enthusiasts and a good read for those thinking of pursuing equine faciliated psychotherapy.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved both their books.

This was my second McCormick read. I read their second d book first, thinking it would speak more to me. It was great, but I have to say this one equaled it, at a minimum. Good for the heart, soul, mind, and spirit.

[Patti Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting insights

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

As this was written by two PhD’s, this came from a much more psychological perspective than other books I have read on the subject of equine therapy.

From the back of cover: ”Clients learned to tap into their primal ‘animal’ mind and energies and apply them toward more creative and responsible living. ……By reconnecting with our intuitive core and with our natural origins, horses can teach us what nurtures creativity and point us to unity with all life and with God.”

Interesting, readable perspective, although, since I have no psychological background, I did have to look up various concepts such as the differences between emotions (when the authors say the horses dismiss as noise) and feelings (which the authors say horses can intuit). Also interesting is the concept that a riders feels the beat of a horse’s heart through your legs much as a baby feels their mother’s heartbeat.

There is also a spiritual content to several of the chapters as the authors explore horses in mythology.

Recommended for those interested in the psychological aspect of equine therapy.

[Colleen Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first bought this book when it 1st came out hot off the press into my book store. At the time in my life I was an Un-diagnosed young person with Aspergers & Anxiety, graduated from High School, and working at a Equine Therapy for Handicapped Children & Adutls (@Pegasus), I was one of the muckers, I was the weekend Barn Girl, in Philadelphia, PA. This book helped me greatly I highlighted, underlined so that I could understand stand the book-fully. *We had a friend one Sunday in 2006/Aug/15. Just before they boarded up the house I got my lock box and this book. I was shocked that this book survived and only half of the binding, all other books were gone for the exception of the Bible too. I re-read this book from time to time. This book helps me on the days I can not get to the barn and need to... Different barn now same manager, but this time I am just the volunteer now.

[Morgan Currie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a really good read for anyone who wants to get a closer look of the beauty that is the human-animal bond. It breaks down it's points into different chapters of the book, and provides both great descriptions of the practice and research, as well as examples of the intervention in play.

[Amorobelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shows just how amazing not only horses but other animals are. They do a lot to heal and help us.

[Luminea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating and insightful book, groundbreaking at the time it was written, while today there are numerous other books filled with stories of how horses can heal and inspire us on all levels (physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually). Just through reading this book, without riding or otherwise observing a horse in real life, this book provided me with some profound personal insights and powerful food for thought, which is exactly what the authors claim--just reading or learning about horses can be transformative. I gained some invaluable tols and self awareness from this book, which I feel deeply grateful for, and I look forward to reading the authors' other book. I am also motivated to get out of my chair and go spend some in person time in traction with horses! :)

[Loretta Logan-Sause · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good