Mark Rashid's Books

[Dales_Lover]

I am now the proud owner of two of Mark Rashid's books - Considering the Horse (made me cry) and Life Lessons from a Ranch Horse (just started reading it). I'm going to do a search on his other books and video, to see if I can get them as well - Mark tells the stories so well :D and Buck (his horse) is such an amazing character!

I'm hoping to gain some patience when handling and riding Ebby from reading these books - I won't be too quick in future now to give up with my leg pressure and reinforce it with a small tap with the whip. I'm also going to try and see things from 'her' point of view - why she stops at one particular gate to see the horses and ponies who she never rides out with ect - it will be fun I am sure :D

Has anyone got his video (just had a look on his web site but I've forgotten the title of it) and is it any good? It says he is very thorough with his explanations, which will be a whole lot better than some other videos on NH I've watched.

Also, the other day I made a 'Wip Wop' and carried that and used lightly instead of my usual whip. Ebby wasn't so quick with her responses, and I did get a few weird looks (I'd made it out of a red and green coloured leadrope :rolleyes: ) but I did get the behaviour and speed I wanted (after a while)! I'm hoping that with my ideas and thoughts from Mark Rashid's book's combined with the other books I've read (Parelli, MR, KM, MP, CT ect) me and can have tons of fun with minimal confrontation!!

Anna x

[lexi]

I love Mark Rashid - he is my hero! There are two other books - 'horses never lie' and 'a good horse is never a bad colour'. He comes across as being the most lovely guy, and someone I know who went to see him in Edinburgh said he really is like that - just so nice and humble. He really did totally change the way I viewed horses - and now I get told I'm too soft! In one of the books (can't remember which) he talks about letting the horse have a bit of a say when training them which most people think is absolutely barking - but I can understand just where he's coming from! I once went out with someone who thought I was very slack and hopeless because I let Star 'look' at some horses in a field we were riding past - but I don't want a Stepford horse! They are fantastic books and everyone who hasn't read them is missing out on some good (and really funny) tales, I loved the one where he just picked any old horse to pull the trap - so funny!

Anyway I could waffle on about those books all day but I won't bore you any more - glad you enjoyed them as much as me. I've never managed to find the video tho'

[hackedoff]

He is my horse hero <nodshead>

[KarinUS]

He is fantastic! I am glad you found his books. It only can be beneficial to your horsemanship skills.
He reminds us to look for the 'try', not expect the finished product. A great leadership style!

[Dales_Lover]

I've got the other two books now, and I am reading them for second time now!!! I've seen the video on his website, but I don't think you can get it here in the UK :eek: but maybe someone has it over here!

He writes the books very well aswell!!

[lexi]

If you find out where to get the video tell me 'cos I want one! I got a wip-wop off the Monty Roberts site (things I make myself rarely turn out well!!!) and I was quite impressed with it - it's white, which I 'spose will make them able to see it better out of the corner of their eyes, and really soft. Tested it out on OH and daughter as they unwisely wandered into range while I was playing with it and they claim it doesn't hurt! I really like the sound of your yard hacked-off, some of the small children I've seen riding are very fond of their wackers!

The 'old man' sounds brill doesn't he - never raises his hand or voice but has a yard of well-mannered and respectful horses! Do you remember the bit when Mark can't get a horse to lope and the old man says 'maybe you should have asked'. Ask how, exactly, he never went into that bit, and I often have trouble getting a 'lope' out of Star? Any suggestions welcome - she just trots faster and faster while OH kills himself laughing - he says we look like a speeded-up film. Sometimes I can get her to break, but am never sure what I did that made it happen!

[doris]

I love his books.
Don't we all wish that we had an 'old man' to start us off with horse training when we were young! What a gift the old man gave to the young Mark.