I’m often asked what are some of my favorite horsemanship-related books and podcasts. Here is the list.
Most of the books pertain to philosophy and stories that illustrate those philosophies, rather than mechanical examples of how to train a horse. The fact that my favorite horsemen don’t have step-by-step programs either online or in book format speaks to their advanced understanding of the complexities of good horsemanship.
Anything by Mark Rashid
Mark is a truly gifted writer. He’s lived such an interesting life and he carries the philosophies that define good horsemanship into all aspects of this life. Here are a couple examples, but you can’t go wrong with any of Mark’s many books.
A Good Horse Is Never a Bad Color
This is an older book of Mark’s and the first I encountered. It contains delightful stories from his days on the road as a trainer, as well as some origin stories from his time working for the “old man” who taught him much of what he knows. Also available on Audible.
Horses Never Lie: The Heart of Passive Leadership
Mark challenges the idea of Alpha leadership and leans into the idea of passive leadership – which means becoming the horse that the other horses in the paddock want to be near. Also available on Audible.
The “Harry Whitney” series by Tom Moates
A Horse’s Thought
Between the Reins
Further Along the Trail
Going Somewhere
These books are so special because they attempt to document the wisdom and genius of Harry Whitney – an incredibly talented, non-commercial horseman who I had the good fortune of being introduced to in 2012. Harry’s background with horses is unique compared to the trainers who rode for Tom Dorrance, Bill Dorrance or Ray Hunt – offering a similar but unique flavor to the horsemanship movement that became more widely known in the 90s and beyond.
Tom documents his journey to understand and learn the horsemanship that Harry teaches. The books are as close to Harry Whitney as many people will ever get, and therefore well with a read.
True Horsemanship Through Feel by Bill Dorrance and Leslie Desmond
This book has an unusual format. I’ve never attempted to sit down and read it straight through from front to back. Instead, I’ve skimmed through sections, looked at the photos and pulled out gems here and there. Bill Dorrance was a non-commercial horseman who never received the level of recognition that his brother, Tom Dorrance, received. But I get the feeling, from reading this book, and hearing about Bill from mutual contacts, that he had every bit as much feel and talent.
