How to Think Like a Horse

Cherry Hill is an internationally known instructor and horse trainer and has written numerous books, including 101 Arena Exercises for Horse & Rider, Horsekeeping on a Small Acreage, How to Think Like a Horse, What Every Horse Should Know, and Horse Care for Kids. Visit her at horsekeeping.com, where you can find information on her books, DVDs, and horsekeeping knowledge.

What's Your Horse Telling You?Equine behavior makes perfect sense when you understand a horse's survival instincts and fears and know what makes him feel calm and confident. As noted horsewoman Cherry Hill describes your horse's basic needs, routines, and responses to sights, smells, sounds, and touch, you will learn to anticipate his reactions and adjust your training methods accordingly. Your lasting reward will be a solid relationship with a curious, trusting, adaptable, and eager-to-please equine companion.

Chapter 1: Becoming The HorseWhy Think Like a Horse? * What a Horse Needs * What Horses Don't Like * Humans and Horses * How to Become Part HorseChapter 2: The Horse's SensesVision * Hearing * Smell and Taste * Touch * Reflexes * Proprioceptive SenseChapter 3: The Physical HorseSeasonal Changes * Digestive System * Skeletal System * Hoof GrowthChapter 4: The Nature of the HorseBonding * Pecking Order * The Battle of the Sexes * Horse Play * Curiosity or the Investigative Behavior * The Nomadic LifestyleChapter 5: RoutinesThe Horse's Biological Clock * Shelter * Self-PreservationChapter 6: Good Behavior, "Bad" BehaviorThe Spirit of the Horse * Temperament and Attitude * Natural Horsekeeping * Domestication PressuresChapter 7: Horse TimelinesLife-Stage Characteristics * Development TimelinesChapter 8: CommunicationReading a Horse's Body Language * The Subtleties * Vocal Language * How to Communicate with Your Horse * Voice CommandsChapter 9: LearningThe Brain * Mental Processes * Learning Principles * Behavior Modification * Behavior Modification Techniques * Repetition * ShapingChapter 10: TrainingTraining Philosophy * Training Goals * Physical Development * Content of a Training Session * A Typical Training SessionEpilogueGlossary Recommended ReadingIndex