Wednesday, January 19, 2011

The Tao of Equus


I am not a reader, but if it has to do with horses I am sucked in and can't put it down. I've been given another distraction to keep me from studying for my test. The vet gave me a copy of The Tao of Equus. I can't put it down.

Are there any other good reads out there that I'm missing? I've read Chosen by a Horse by Susan Richards. That book made me BAWL. It was such a good story. I've read a lot, but can't think of them at the moment. Comment with your favorite and I'll share them all on an upcoming post.

In Denali world I have started the search for a barn. Always a fun task. I'm so anal and obsessive that it could be a long search. I contacted a barn yesterday that is really close to Seattle and has HUGE turn out with a stall at night. It has everything she needs, but nothing that I need (aka: a trainer.) That isn't the end of my world. There is also a wait list (most of the good ones have one) so I figured if I can get on lists now then when she's ready we can move her. She needs good arena footing and turn out with at least a buddy for at least 8 hours a day. I'd also like her stalled at night and a round pen. I need to make a list of what I want so that it makes looking at barns easier. Anyone have a sheet that they want to e-mail to me? I know most of you are as anal about your horse as I am. You can e-mail me here.

I have also contacted a Parelli trainer. I think the idea behind Parelli is good, and the person I am going to be working with said she focuses on building the relationship with the horse and owner, using Parelli and other things. We are going to meet this weekend so I can grill her about her experience and references. You'd think I owned some $100,000 Olympic prospect with the way I drive people nuts. It doesn't matter she's worth that to me (because that's how much I'd need to pay for someone to take her. Not that I ever would.)

In other exciting news, I noticed that the last time she was running around her hind legs seemed set a little farther set apart. Before, when she ran she hit her hind legs together ALL the time. The last time she was running she didn't hit at all. I don't know if all the body work could change that, or if it was a fluke, but I'll take it at the moment.

15 comments:

Mare said...

Riding Lessons and Flying Changes by Sara Gruen are both awesome pieces of horsey fiction...

I also really liked The Horse Boy...it's about a severly autistic child and horses, of course!

Mare said...

Oh, and I almost forgot! I absolutely LOVED The Horses of Proud Spirit by Melanie Sue Bowles! I've read it several times, and it's wonderful...

And BTW, I totally sobbed when I read Chosen by a Horse:)

smazourek said...

"My Horses, My Teachers" by Alois Podhajsky

"True Horsemanship Through Feel" by Bill Dorrance

Jana said...

If you liked The Tao of Equus, you'll probably like Riding Between the Worlds (one of Linda Kohanov's other books) even better... I did. Here's a link to it - http://www.allbookstores.com/Riding-Between-Worlds-Expanding-Our/9781577315766.

Also, Mark Rashid's books are all great, but this one in particular is awesome - http://www.amazon.com/Horses-Never-Lie-Passive-Leadership/dp/1616082410/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_2

And... just about anything by Jane Savoie - http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_11?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=jane+savoie&x=0&y=0&sprefix=jane+savoie

And +2 on what Mare said... The Horse Boy was excellent (there's a documentary of it, too, if you want to watch the story instead of reading it).

Can you tell I like to read about horses? LOL!

There's a lot more where that stuff came from, too. Just didn't want to write a novel on your comments thread. :)

eventer79 said...

Animals as Guides for the Soul. Susan McElroy -- not specifically about horses but beautiful. Cheesy title, yes, but a wonderful read.

Just curious, why in at night? I much prefer to only have them come in to eat -- staying out 23 hours a day is soooo good for them, it helps keep Solo mobile!

Brooke (FBX Adventures - In Parenting) said...

A few reasons actually.

1. Denali has a habit of getting injured. I am not able to make it to her barn everyday to check on her to make sure that she is okay.

2. I want her handled. If they would bring her in (and that would solve #1) and let her eat and then let her go back out, that's great.

I haven't found any barns in the PNW that do that. If Denali is left to her own devices and left in a field for more than 3 days without being handled, she reverts back to her wild pony ways.

Lisa said...

A recent read I enjoyed was 'Riding Lessons' by Sara Gruen. It's fictional, but I liked it.

Also, Tucker's mum has an AWESOME barn comparison spreadsheet. Her blog is http://tuckerthewunderkind.blogspot.com/ if you don't already follow her. :)

Achieve1dream said...

I hope you can find a really good barn. I'm glad I don't live in a big city like that because it would be so stressful finding a place for my horse to live. Wow.

I'm happy to hear she didn't hit herself on her rear legs. That definitely sounds like good news to me.

I'm tired right now so I can't think of any books right now. I know there was one I read a long, long time ago called Working Trot that I loved. I was young so I can't remember if it was an adult book or a kids book, but you could check it out if you want. I think the author is Jessie Haas. I will however be stealing books from this list. :)

Becky said...

The Horse Boy - great book AND documentary!! LOVED it. I hear you on the boarding thing - although I swear I try not to be too picky! It's just you get what you pay for, which isn't much on a part time tutoring position budget.

SprinklerBandit said...

I have a pretty intense spreadsheet that I used to compare barns when I was hunting. I'll email it to you tomorrow--left it at home on my jump drive today.

Good luck in the barn search! At least Denali's in a good place for now so it's not on a super strict timeline yet. ;-)

MyHorseFaith said...

Mark Rashid's books are faboulous- you may borrow them if you like!

For a good laugh, the Chronicles of the $700 Pony is hilarious- you can borrow that one too, if you like!

Janine said...

Ohhh, I hope you both have a super time with the Parelli trainer! Keep us posted! Love, Enzo

Janie said...

Good luck finding everything that you need! When I think of some good horse books I've read I'll let you know. Currently my son is obsessed with Born to Trot.

Wendy said...

I recommend the book War Horse... It's a children's book but it sure is fantastic! I can see why it became a stage play and a movie.

Carey said...

"Horse People" by Michael Korda is one of my read again and again and again books.