Where to start?

[Pinkstergirl]

I've picked up on some of the comments about the negative impact of Parelli techniques.

I wanted to start using some NH techniques with Mouse but I'm really stuck as to where to begin. I know that I could combine lots of different approaches and use my common sense but I'd like to at least read about the basics first. Trouble is, I don't want to fork out a fortune on a spefic book, only for it to be detrimental to the bond I already have with Mouse.

I hope I'm making sense!

Basically, I've decided that I'm not keen on sticking to one practitioner as I feel that all of them have good points to make.

Can anyone recommend anything to help me on my way?

[Yann]

Perfect Manners by Kelly Marks is always a very good place to start, as well as any of Mark Rashids books - they are in story format rather than manuals of horsemanship but there is plenty to think about and not a little practical information as well.

Both authors take a thoughtful, low key, and sympathetic approach to their subject, you aren't very likely to cause problems using exercises from either:)

[No_Angel]

I second kelly marks perfect manners book. I worked through some of the exercises in there and my horse has changed dramatically (for the better). I havent really needed to do any more than the basic things with her, but then again she is so much better and I dotn have a power struggle with her anymore and she doesnt do alot any way :D

[Pinkstergirl]

Thanks for the advice. Are all Mark Rashid's books pretty much the same? I'm looking at buying: Horses Never Lie and/or Considering the Horse.

Any ideas?

[Skib]

Are all Mark Rashid's books pretty much the same? I'm looking at buying: Horses Never Lie and/or Considering the Horse.

No they are not the same. Last time I posted on this I may have misremembered the order of Rashid's books. If so I apologise.

All Mark's teaching in his books is done through story form. An affectionate memoir of his own learning from his teacher "The Old Man" amplified by stories of his own work with individual horses, as a trainer and at clinics. Mark rightly insists that we all learn by making mistakes. So his approach has developed over his career.
His first book Considering the Horse (1993) considers the basic ground problems and riding problems. How to diagnose and solve problems.
His second book A Good Horse is Never a Bad Colour (1996) adds to the first. Developing the idea, that we need to make it clear to horses what we want of them and that horses will gladly co-operate.
But Rashid's third book Horses Never Lie; The Heart of Passive Leadership. (2000) is much more individual, showing how his thinking has developed over the years. And his own approach for which he is celebrated - This third book is the one which has shaped my riding and relationship with horses.
When riders come to his clinics, Mark often starts by asking them to back up their horses. To understand why and how asking one's horse to back up lies at the centre of riding, read Mark's description of how he himself learned to back up (in Finding the Try). I ride riding school horses and I particularly like this book because it includes a riding school horse Kit whom Mark took very seriously indeed. I would start with this book, and if you like it then get his first two as well.
Mark's most recent book is Life Lessons from a Ranch Horse - the story of his relationship with his horse Buck. The moral being that if we humans behaved more like our horses, life would be better for us (and them). Personally, I think the jury is out on this one. It may be right for Mark Rashid, but I am wary when horsemen reprove human kind in general. Must read Jonathan Swift on this!!

I have to say that though my handling of horses and attitude to them was deeply influenced by Mark's books, I was quite surprised when I went to watch him teach at his clinics to find how much more I learned about riding. And about interpreting the behaviour of horses. These books will not guide you through a programme with your horse.

If you want a practical approach, without going to a demo, I agree Kelly Marks' Perfect Manners (or her new book) would be your best bet. But as you use her, bear in mind that her thinking is based on Skinner's behaviourism which she explains in the book.
Thirty years ago, I (and many of my friends) brought my childen up this way, acting so that my kids behaved and did as I wanted. But the drawbacks became evident. Children grew up who were used to compliance but they were not very good at taking decisions of their own. So the next generation of parents began to give children choices and allow them to make their own mistakes. Similarly, Mark Rashid and Michael Peace have modified the emphasis on conditioning and controlling the horse. They argue that horses need to be encouraged to think things out for themselves - and this entails improving the communication between them and us. For both men very much a two way thing.
Michael Peace, and Lesley Bayley. The Q&A Guide to Understanding Your Horse. Newton Abbot: David & Charles, 2002. might be another book to look at.

[Moderators - Apologies for the length of this. Would it be a good idea to have a section for book and video postings?]

[Yann]

I couldn't remember which order they came in, but the question has been answered comprehensively:)

It's no detriment to read them in the wrong order (I did :D), but Considering The Horse is probably the best one to start with as it sets the scene for the others. I must say I was quite impressed with Life Lessons personally, it gave me a lot of food for thought. After all, if we go to such lengths to get our relationships with horses right it can't to any harm to apply some of the same principles to our fellow human beings I don't suppose, and Mark Rashid isn't the only one to have attempted to bridge that gap:)

I've got Perfect Partners too, and though I've dipped into it thoroughly rather than read it cover to cover it's another very useful and thought provoking book with lots of practical suggestions and information.

Althought the behaviourism behind Perfect Manners might possibly have been at odds with the Mark Rashid approach much of the practical advice doesn't appear to be, I found quite a few similarities. If anything the IH approach seems to be evolving in that kind of direction, there's certainly intense interest in him in those circles.