Horse Speak - by Sharon Wilsie & Gretchen Vogel (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Horse Speak is not a training method or technique--it is a practical system for "listening" and "talking" to horses in their language, instead of expecting them to comprehend ours. Horse Speak can be used by anyone who works with horses, whether riding instructor, colt starter, recreational rider, or avid competitor. It promises improved understanding of what a horse is telling you, and provides simple replies you can use to tell him that you "hear" him, you "get it," and you have ideas you want to share with him, too.

The result? Time with your horse will be full of what horse trainer and equine-assisted learning instructor Sharon Wilsie of Wilsie Way Horsemanship calls Conversations, and soon the all-too-common misunderstandings that occur between horse and human will evolve into civil discussions with positive and progressive results! Learn Horse Speak in 12 easy steps; understand equine communication via breath and body language; and discover the Four Gs of Horse Speak: Greeting, Going Somewhere, Grooming, and Gone. Practice regulating your intensity, and sample dozens of ready-made Conversations with your horse, as step-by-step templates and instructional color photographs walk you through the eye-opening process of communicating on a whole new level.

Review Quotes

Animals--from dogs to parrots to dolphins to sea lions--have learned hundreds, sometimes thousands of human words. It's high time humans began to understand the language of another species! This beautiful and important book is a landmark achievement along a path that will lead our kind toward greater compassion for our fellow sentient beings.--Sy Montgomery, author of the New York Times Bestseller The Soul of an Octopus and The Good Good Pig

Extremely informative volume filled with photographs, tips, and valuable lessons in learning the language of horses… A perfect addition to your collection, Horse Speak will not only enhance your horse-themed library, but also your relationship with your equine partner. —Catskill Horse

Filled with revealing photographs accompanied by solid explanatory text, Horse Speak provides an in-depth look at the body language of horses. Most of us know that when a horse bares his teeth and lays back his ears, trouble could be on the horizon if we don't take the hint. But there are plenty of other, more subtle cues that we miss. Horse Speak delves much deeper into that territory, encouraging us to pay closer attention to what horses are telling us and to enter into the conversation by using some of that same body language. Try out some of the activities presented in this book, and see how your horse decides to respond. We know that dogs use body language all the time to communicate with each other and with us. Why has it taken so long for us to realize that the same is true with horses?--Wendy Williams, author of the New York Times Bestseller and Wall Street Journal 2015 Best Book The Horse: The Epic History of Our Noble Companion

If a horse looks away when you are not close to him, it can mean he is feeling "invaded." Joe told me I had reached the edge of his Bubble of Personal Space--essentially his edge of safety where humans are concerned. All horses have a different size personal space, as well as humans. --RetiredRacehorseProject.com

"In their bestselling book Horse Speak, horsewoman Sharon Wilsie and Gretchen Vogel explain the 'X' factor that resolves all kinds of communication issues we have with our horses." --On the Horse Magazine

"Humans use symbolic words to convey their desires, intents, emotions, reactions, responses. Horses use distinct body actions — bowed heads, nose-to-nose touches, tail flicks, matching steps. ... The authors break down the process of "seeing" equine language into "12 Easy Steps," that is, how readers and riders learn to communicate step-by-step with their horses ... and much of the added value of Horse Speak& includes the many photos displaying the grace and exchange of these beguiling animals."--The Keene Sentinel

"This book offers readers a chance to connect with their horses on equine terms and from the horse's perspective."--www.sentinelsource.com

About the Author

Sharon Wilsie has enjoyed a professional career as a horse trainer/rehabilitation specialist, intercollegiate coach, and riding instructor. She has also been a Reiki Master/Teacher since 1992. Wilsie has developed and implemented a number of programs over the last decade, including volunteer training groups for horse rescues and therapeutic riding centers, Equine Assisted Learning courses, and hundreds of workshops and seminars relating to Equine Facilitated Therapies, alternative training methodologies, and rehabilitation methods for difficult horses and horses with PTSD. Wilsie has worked with students from all ages, including at-risk youth programs. Her passion for helping both people and horses understand themselves and each other better led her to develop the system called "Horse Speak" and the bestselling book and video of the same name. She is also the author of Horses in Translation and Essential Horse Speak (sharonwilsie.com).

Gretchen Vogel is a lifelong horse owner and rider, as well as an avid gardening expert. She is the author of two previous books: Solar Gardening and Choices in the Afterlife. She lives in Keene, New Hampshire.